Nebraska Football: 3 takeaways from addition of Ochaun Mathis

Sep 11, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; California Golden Bears offensive lineman Valentino Daltoso (61) and TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Ochaun Mathis (32) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the California Golden Bears at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Nebraska fills its biggest defensive need

Looking back at last season, the Nebraska defense was pretty solid for the Huskers, which is why it’s such a shame that the special teams and poor quarterback play doomed Nebraska.

The Huskers actually ranked 36th in the nation in scoring defense but the Huskers also ranked outside the top 80 in sacks and didn’t do a very good job of forcing turnovers last season either, getting just 1.1 per game.

Oftentimes, forcing turnovers and getting pressure on the quarterback go hand-in-hand. If you are forcing the quarterback to throw the ball sooner than expected or hitting him when he throws it, he’s not going to be as accurate and might rush the decision-making process.

So as the Huskers recorded fewer than 20 sacks a season ago, it was important to upgrade the pass rush which it did with Mathis, who was 12.5-career sacks, 133 tackles, and 26.5 tackles for loss.

The defense also just needed an impact player, regardless of position and Mathis seems ready to fill that role this season.

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