Defensive line coach Mike Dawson appeared on Husker Sports Nightly to talk about Nebraska's front line. Below are notes and nuggets on what Dawson had to say:
A funny comment before the show started, Dawson said, “I can really eat some food, that’s one of the things I’m best at.”
On what he learned after the Wisconsin game:
Thought Nebraska has plenty of areas to come a long way on, some positives, Carlos and Khalil played well and made plays. “As we continue to grow and put things together, there’s some good film for the guys to watch themselves [and fix their mistakes]...”
On depth:
“Football is continuing to change and evolve,” Dawson said, since there’s more competition at the defensive line spot, along with more of a benefit to rotation because of an increase in snaps played. They rotate often in order to stay fresh and give guys chances to play.
On Mick Stoltenberg’s attitude:
“Mick’s been awesome… the day after his surgery he was in the meeting room…”
Says Stoltenberg has the perspective and passion for Nebraska and for teaching other guys, has been a leader and key supporter despite his injury.
On Freedom Akinmoladun:
He’s been relentless according to Dawson, and said Freedom’s numbers will show back up soon, as the Huskers will focus on stopping the run on first and second down to force more third and long situations.
CALLER: John from North Platte, wondering if Jacob Weinmaster is related to a Weinmaster who played back in the 70s, and he was happy to see Jacob get playing time. Kerry Weinmaster is the cousin of Jacob’s father, Eric. Kerry was a middle guard from 1976 to 1979 and earned first-team All-Big Eight honors as a senior.
DAWSON: “Jacob’s a selfless guy, no task for him is too small, he really earned [a scholarship]” and has been a big part of the special teams game.
On learning from the experience against Wisconsin’s strong OL:
Admitted that Wisconsin was a very physically strong group and that the DL had plenty of film to learn from.
“One thing about this group is that the guys have had a great attitude since I walked in the door, they’re working hard at what they’re doing,” and the defensive linemen are open to new ideas and methods.
On the pride the DL group has:
“They know how much it means to this community and to this state, they want to train to play [at a high level].”
On how the line is holding up conditioning-wise through five games:
Dawson is following the direction of Coach Duval and Ellis in terms of the training plan, sometimes the pads come off on Monday, but the team will still run and keep the legs moving. Things have been good on that front, according to Dawson. He hopes that the defense can become “giants” and as big, strong and fast as possible. They don’t like too much fat around bellies, he noted.
CALLER: Gabe from Northeast Nebraska, wanted to know how conditioning went when first arriving with the team and how it has changed.
RESPONSE: Dawson said that the coaching staff focused on high tempo training on offense to adapt to a changing landscape in college football, and made a point to get the defense’s mindset on hustling to the ball on each play and buying into the strength program and the long-term future.
On what the team may look like next spring:
Dawson thinks the team will make a big leap across the board once spring ball comes around, and they will catch up from a short amount of training time last fall. Cited more training on techniques, more understanding of the playbook and adding weight in muscle as big keys in this first offseason. “There’s definitely a get to know you phase when you come into a new building as a coach… it’s not like they weren’t lifting when we came in,” but there were some different techniques and fundamentals the strength staff wanted the players to hone in on, just as there are many different defensive schemes in football.
CALLER: Steve from Alliance, wanted to know the status of a transfer from Utah, and about which walk-ons will make an impact.
RESPONSE: Vaha Vainuku, a 25-year-old grad transfer, has been working to find his role in the scheme and getting himself back into football shape after lots of time away from football.
Colton Feist and Finn Anderson were also noted as being hard workers among a solid walk-on group.
CALLER: Ray from Holdrege, wondered about the pass rush and whether the Huskers will look to collapse the pocket on the edge or stay in the lanes.
RESPONSE: Dawson said the guys have to know where to rush in order to rush fast, and that pass rushing is much different than blocking on offense in the run game where everyone is responsible for a gap. Dawson takes a lot of pride in getting the guys to be aware of that and working on staying in the correct lanes.
CALLER: Mike from Omaha, wants to know if the line is paying attention to little details.
RESPONSE: “Guys are focused, love the game of football, hungry to learn it,” and Dawson hopes the defensive line can live up to some historically great Nebraska defensive lines, but they have to focus on techniques with screens and draws. Khalil Davis has been able to learn how to react in situations, which showed from his chase-down play versus Wisconsin.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Dawson knows the guys have to get after it right away on Saturday, and it's business as usual as the Huskers head to Evanston.
A funny comment before the show started, Dawson said, “I can really eat some food, that’s one of the things I’m best at.”
On what he learned after the Wisconsin game:
Thought Nebraska has plenty of areas to come a long way on, some positives, Carlos and Khalil played well and made plays. “As we continue to grow and put things together, there’s some good film for the guys to watch themselves [and fix their mistakes]...”
On depth:
“Football is continuing to change and evolve,” Dawson said, since there’s more competition at the defensive line spot, along with more of a benefit to rotation because of an increase in snaps played. They rotate often in order to stay fresh and give guys chances to play.
On Mick Stoltenberg’s attitude:
“Mick’s been awesome… the day after his surgery he was in the meeting room…”
Says Stoltenberg has the perspective and passion for Nebraska and for teaching other guys, has been a leader and key supporter despite his injury.
On Freedom Akinmoladun:
He’s been relentless according to Dawson, and said Freedom’s numbers will show back up soon, as the Huskers will focus on stopping the run on first and second down to force more third and long situations.
CALLER: John from North Platte, wondering if Jacob Weinmaster is related to a Weinmaster who played back in the 70s, and he was happy to see Jacob get playing time. Kerry Weinmaster is the cousin of Jacob’s father, Eric. Kerry was a middle guard from 1976 to 1979 and earned first-team All-Big Eight honors as a senior.
DAWSON: “Jacob’s a selfless guy, no task for him is too small, he really earned [a scholarship]” and has been a big part of the special teams game.
On learning from the experience against Wisconsin’s strong OL:
Admitted that Wisconsin was a very physically strong group and that the DL had plenty of film to learn from.
“One thing about this group is that the guys have had a great attitude since I walked in the door, they’re working hard at what they’re doing,” and the defensive linemen are open to new ideas and methods.
On the pride the DL group has:
“They know how much it means to this community and to this state, they want to train to play [at a high level].”
On how the line is holding up conditioning-wise through five games:
Dawson is following the direction of Coach Duval and Ellis in terms of the training plan, sometimes the pads come off on Monday, but the team will still run and keep the legs moving. Things have been good on that front, according to Dawson. He hopes that the defense can become “giants” and as big, strong and fast as possible. They don’t like too much fat around bellies, he noted.
CALLER: Gabe from Northeast Nebraska, wanted to know how conditioning went when first arriving with the team and how it has changed.
RESPONSE: Dawson said that the coaching staff focused on high tempo training on offense to adapt to a changing landscape in college football, and made a point to get the defense’s mindset on hustling to the ball on each play and buying into the strength program and the long-term future.
On what the team may look like next spring:
Dawson thinks the team will make a big leap across the board once spring ball comes around, and they will catch up from a short amount of training time last fall. Cited more training on techniques, more understanding of the playbook and adding weight in muscle as big keys in this first offseason. “There’s definitely a get to know you phase when you come into a new building as a coach… it’s not like they weren’t lifting when we came in,” but there were some different techniques and fundamentals the strength staff wanted the players to hone in on, just as there are many different defensive schemes in football.
CALLER: Steve from Alliance, wanted to know the status of a transfer from Utah, and about which walk-ons will make an impact.
RESPONSE: Vaha Vainuku, a 25-year-old grad transfer, has been working to find his role in the scheme and getting himself back into football shape after lots of time away from football.
Colton Feist and Finn Anderson were also noted as being hard workers among a solid walk-on group.
CALLER: Ray from Holdrege, wondered about the pass rush and whether the Huskers will look to collapse the pocket on the edge or stay in the lanes.
RESPONSE: Dawson said the guys have to know where to rush in order to rush fast, and that pass rushing is much different than blocking on offense in the run game where everyone is responsible for a gap. Dawson takes a lot of pride in getting the guys to be aware of that and working on staying in the correct lanes.
CALLER: Mike from Omaha, wants to know if the line is paying attention to little details.
RESPONSE: “Guys are focused, love the game of football, hungry to learn it,” and Dawson hopes the defensive line can live up to some historically great Nebraska defensive lines, but they have to focus on techniques with screens and draws. Khalil Davis has been able to learn how to react in situations, which showed from his chase-down play versus Wisconsin.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Dawson knows the guys have to get after it right away on Saturday, and it's business as usual as the Huskers head to Evanston.
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