Nebraska vs. Minnesota: PFF Grades, Snap Counts Highlight Defensive Struggles

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Nebraska vs. Minnesota: PFF Grades, Snap Counts Highlight Defensive Struggles

Following a challenging defeat against Minnesota, the Nebraska Cornhuskers find themselves with a record of 5-2, including 2-2 in the conference. The Huskers’ defense struggled significantly, yielding 339 total yards, marking their second-largest margin of the 2025 season. This performance raises questions about the team’s future trajectory.

PFF Grades and Defensive Snap Counts

An analysis of the Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades and snap counts reveals some stark realities about the Nebraska defense during the game against Minnesota.

Defensive Line Observations

Keona Davis: The sophomore defensive tackle logged the most snaps of his season, achieving Nebraska’s only sack. He finished with six tackles and a half sack.
Overall Performance: The defensive line collectively secured 16 tackles but was largely ineffective, allowing 186 rushing yards at an average of 5.3 yards per carry.
Pass Rush: The line generated only five quarterback hurries, indicating a significant lack of pressure on the Minnesota offense.

Linebacker Insights

Marques Watson-Trent: This senior linebacker has stepped up, accumulating 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the season.
Javin Wright: Another key linebacker, Wright recorded 51 tackles, including a dozen in the recent game, showcasing his reliability on the field.
Injuries: Vincent Shavers played only seven snaps due to a thumb injury, giving the freshman Dawson Merritt more exposure this season.

Defensive Back Struggles

Donovan Jones: The redshirt freshman faced challenges, with three missed tackles and four receptions allowed for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Missed Tackles: The secondary accounted for seven missed tackles, an area needing urgent improvement.
Pursuit Angles: The defensive backs struggled to contain Minnesota’s rushing game, allowing several long runs, including a critical 71-yarder.

Upcoming Challenges

Heading into their next matchup against Northwestern, the Huskers must address these defensive shortcomings. Improving their tackling and pursuit angles is essential if they want to regain momentum in the remaining games of the regular season.