MU secondary still gelling, said Carl Gettis

By Nick Forrester

Published Oct. 3, 2008

If Missouri expects to have their first victory at Nebraska since 1978, then the MU secondary must make a statement game out of Saturday night like they did last year against the Cornhuskers.

Similar to last season, the secondary has been the weak link of the team through non-conference play. The Nebraska game last season was a statement for the secondary, holding the Cornhuskers to 297 total yards, two field goals and no touchdowns. That momentum carried over to the rest of the season, helping Missouri to a 12-2 finish. The secondary is looking for the return trip to Lincoln, Neb., to also be a statement game.

"We're hoping to come out against Nebraska and make a statement like we did last year," sophomore cornerback Carl Gettis said. "We just need to communicate better in the secondary."

Gettis leads the Missouri secondary in tackles this season with 21. Missouri's pass defense ranks last in the Big 12 and 111th in the country. They have given up an average of 279.5 passing yards per game. That could be a problem this week, as Nebraska is No. 33 in the nation in total yards, averaging 421 with 265.5 passing yards per game.

"(The secondary is) doing a lot of good things, we just need more consistency," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We're good enough to have more consistency. We've done it before, and it's the same players."

Senior quarterback Joe Ganz leads the Cornhusker passing attack and has thrown for 997 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. Ganz is distributing the ball pretty evenly to his receivers, with senior wide receiver Nate Swift having 259 receiving yards, senior wide receiver Todd Peterson having 15 receptions and sophomore tight end Mike McNeill having three touchdown receptions. All are leading the team in their respective categories.

"(Nebraska's) a lot more comfortable with each other," Gettis said. "Their offense is throwing the ball a lot better. They have a lot more playmakers, so they're looking strong."

The return of senior free safety William Moore from an ankle injury should help the Missouri secondary.

In order to fix the problems they have had so far this season, the secondary is relying on its chemistry.

"I don't think we're struggling, we're just still coming together and gelling," senior cornerback Tru Vaughns said.

The defense should be able to bond while thinking about one of the comments coming out of Lincoln last week by Nebraska senior tailback Marlon Lucky, who told the Omaha World-Herald after losing to Virginia Tech that Missouri needs to "watch out" because the Cornhuskers are angry

The Missouri defense was well aware of Lucky's comments by Monday afternoon.

"Somebody might say a little something to him about it," Gettis said.