Nebraska has big expectations for secondary

(U-WIRE) LINCOLN, Neb. - Although the Nebraska secondary doesn't have a senior, Nebraska defensive backs coach George Darlington said he is expecting big things from his group of young guns.

Gone from the national championship team is senior safety Eric Warfield, who likely will be selected in the NFL Draft later this month.

Warfield's replacement is Clint Finley, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound sophomore from Cuero, Texas. With the addition of Finley, the Cornhuskers will have two juniors and two sophomores as starters this spring.

"It's ironic," said Darlington. "Even though we are younger, we are more experienced."

Juniors Mike Brown and Ralph Brown and sophomore Erwin Swiney - all starters on the national championship team - give the Huskers a lot of experience. Swiney's status is uncertain because of a groin injury.

The secondary - after being criticized by fans and being picked on by opposing quarterbacks much of last season - is now battle-tested and "looking for some respect this year," said Ralph Brown, a two-year starter.

Brown said shutting down Peyton Manning and Tennessee in the 1998 Orange Bowl gave the team a lot of confidence and helped the secondary assess where they want to be.

"We want to become more dominant against the run and pass," Brown said. "I think we can be the best (secondary) or up there with the best in the nation if we work hard."

Sophomore Mike Brown said part of becoming a more dominant secondary will involve taking on a new attitude.

"We have a lot to prove with a new coach," Mike Brown said. "The secondary has to be leaders. We have to step up and prove we can play with the best of them."

With the style of defense Nebraska plays, the backs understand they have an important role.

"If they want to throw the ball, it's our job to stop them," Mike Brown said.

Darlington said he wants to see more interceptions. Finley said he thought this group of players should be able to do that by pressuring opposing quarterbacks and capitalizing on their mistakes.

"We will play physical just like always," said Finley. "That's what Nebraska football is all about. The offense gets the credit for wearing down people with physical play, but the defense does the same thing."

04-10-98