Fitting Gap Schemes with the Nebraska Defense
Nebraska’s defense is built on physicality, discipline, and smart run fits, especially against gap-scheme runs like Counter and Power. Whether they’re in a four-down, Tite, or their three-high structure, the Huskers consistently execute their run fits with precision. From violent spills to well-timed run blitzes, they make life difficult for offensive linemen trying to create movement.
In this breakdown, we’ll look at how Nebraska shuts down gap schemes across different fronts and coverages. Let’s dive into the tape.
Fitting Counter
In the example above, Nebraska does an excellent job of spilling and gap exchanging to the play side. The nose tackle plays a key role, crossing the center’s face and disrupting the interior. The middle linebacker executes his fit perfectly, working over the top of the pulling guard before squeezing tight off the edge, eliminating any crease for the running back. But the real tone-setter here is #48. He demolishes the pulling guard and prevents the tight end from climbing to his assignment. This physical, aggressive approach forces the ball to bounce, where the defense is already in position to rally and finish the play.
While the previous example came from a four-down, two-high structure, this time Nebraska aligns in a four-down, three-high look. Despite the different pre-snap presentation, the result is nearly identical. Once again, #48 erases both pullers, creating chaos at the point of attack. His physical play allows the interior linebacker, who executes a gap exchange, to flow freely, while the safety is unblocked and in perfect position to clean up. This is a great example of how Nebraska maintains consistent run fits regardless of the front or coverage shell, reinforcing their ability to stop gap schemes with disciplined, aggressive play.