The last time Nick Holt 's defense faced the Nebraska Cornhuskers they gave up the most points to an opponent in Husky Stadium history in a 56-21 loss on Sept. 18. With the rematch set for tonight's Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl , the Husky defense must show noticeable improvement if they want to keep their second year defensive coordinator off the hot seat.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian brought Holt (above) to Washington in 2009 after working together for six seasons (2001-2003, 2006-2008) at USC. After leading the top-ranked USC defense to their seventh consecutive Pac-10 championship in 2008, Holt signed a three-year $2.1 million contract to inherit an inept Husky defense ranked 110th in the country at the time.
In his second season, Holt has improved the defense incrementally in giving up 401 yards per game, 84th best in the country. While Holt is one of the highest paid assistants in all of college football, the results have not lived up to the contract thus far. In facing the same Nebraska offense that put up 533 total yards against them earlier this season, Holt's defense must show progress tonight according to guest host Ray Roberts .
"For the most part their defense has really underperformed," said Roberts of Holt's defense. "So to have three whole weeks to prepare for a team that you've already played, you know exactly what they do best, you know exactly how they attacked you the first time - if you can't come out and find a way to keep a running quarterback from beating your football team, then I think it has a lot to say about your ability to scheme a game plan for this defense to win."
Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez (left) torched the Huskies for 137 yards rushing with four total touchdowns in their September match up, and is expected to start once again tonight. Holt must have a better game plan to defend Martinez according to Roberts, or else it may shine a negative light toward his ability to coach the defense.
"If he (Holt) has had this much time, and he cannot scheme how to keep Martinez from beating them, then I think it says a lot in a negative way," Roberts said Thursday.
It's been three weeks since the Huskies last took the field in a 35-28 victory over the rival Cougars in the Apple Cup, sealing their first postseason berth since 2002. With nearly a month to prepare for their first bowl game in eight years - against an opponent they've already played once this year - it is essential for Holt's defense to bring the energy they showed in winning their final three games of the regular season.
"A lot of these teams that go to these bowl games say 'hey, you get these three extra weeks so these young guys get extra practice,' well than also your starters get extra practice," Roberts said.
"There should be some marked improvement between the last time we saw them - even against the Washington State Cougars - and what we're going to see tonight."
Will Holt's defense show improvement in San Diego against the 'Huskers electrifying offense?
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