Younger, Faster Defenders Set to Play for Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The reality hit Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis while he watched his charges run a step behind the UCLA Bruins and miss an alarming number of tackles.  The Cornhuskers have a need for speed.

The Huskers (1-1) are 115th nationally in rushing defense, 96th in total defense and 83rd in scoring defense after their 36-30 road loss to UCLA. They'll go against another spread offense when Arkansas State (1-1) visits Saturday.

Papuchis' most pressing concerns are at linebacker and defensive line.

Freshman David Santos and junior college transfer Zaire Anderson have been practicing with the No. 1 defense this week, and one of them could bump weakside linebacker Alonzo Whaley from the starting lineup.

Whaley struggled with positioning and tackling against the Bruins, who amassed 653 yards - the second-most ever by a Nebraska opponent.