NU's defense under the gun

Since 2000, Northwestern's offensive identity has been anchored to the scheme it runs -- the wildly popular shotgun spread.

Players have shuffled through the program, but the offense's look has essentially remained the same.

Deciphering NU's identity on defense is much trickier.

The Wildcats aren't tied to a system or an alignment. They aren't known for gimmicks, incessant blitzing or fidelity to a formation like the Cover-2.

"Our identity here is the way we play," defensive coordinator Greg Colby said. "It's not necessarily the scheme we play. We've got to play with such toughness, such intensity and such passion that we can overcome any difference in ability, any difference in who we're playing, anything like that.

"The way we play is more important than what we play."

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the way they've played has often been the problem. Since 2000, NU's defense has ranked no higher than 68th nationally in yards allowed, finishing last in 2005 (480.2 ypg) and second to last in 2002 (502.3 ypg). Though most of NU's recent NFL products played defense (Luis Castillo, Barry Cofield), the unit has struggled.

This season NU returned six linemen with starting experience, three starting defensive backs and middle linebacker Adam Kadela. At times, the unit has fulfilled its potential, not allowing points in eight quarters and making key second-half stops against Nevada and Duke.

But games like Saturday's 58-7 loss to Ohio State sully NU's defensive outlook and create a here-we-go-again feeling among fans.

Ohio State needed only 14 plays to score 4 offensive touchdowns. Five of the Buckeyes' 7 offensive scores stretched 19 yards or longer, with 3 eclipsing 30 yards.

NU's defense had similar breakdowns in its previous two games, allowing 4 touchdowns of 24 yards or longer, including a 48-yard Hail Mary against Nevada and a 56-yard pass against Duke.

Though Colby tweaks his plan for each opponent, he and his players attribute the mistakes to technical issues.

"They were 1-on-1 coverages where we just got beat by a lack of technique," junior safety Brendan Smith said. "It's not like the scheme was wrong and they just hit the open spot in the zone, like we were blitzing and we left that spot open.

"We just didn't do the things we were supposed to do."

Colby emphasized the defense must play smarter. Ironically, that might entail less thinking.

"Our kids are so good at thinking that they do it more than they should," Colby said. "When they do that in the game, they don't just cut it loose and trust that they know what they're doing. Then they play too cautious."

Colby cut it loose early against Duke, using an intensive blitz package. But the Wildcats allowed 20 points and 215 yards in the first half, partly because of unfamiliarity with the new strategy.

NU normally blitzes 35-37 percent of the time. The increase created gaps for Duke.

"It's really not who we are," Colby said.

So who are they?

Kadela wants the defense to be known for forcing turnovers (NU has only 5 this season). He pointed to the 2005 unit, which gave up beaucoup yards but tied for 12th nationally in takeaways (30).

"That was huge," he said. "It decided a lot of games."

But does NU give itself enough chances to make plays?

The Wildcats' tendency to line up in zone coverage with defensive backs 8-10 yards off the line has puzzled media members and fans for years. Opposing quarterbacks consistently hit underneath routes against NU, and Smith has seen more quick passes this season.

"You watch Ohio State, their guys play off, too," Colby said. "The difference is when the ball's thrown, they're faster reacting. We can play tighter, but then (cornerback) Deante Battle, who's pressing on Saturday, gets beat by (Ohio State wideout Brian Robiskie), and then you're down 7.

"Which do we want to do? The better we match up against people, the more we can press 'em, play aggressive. But that's not always the smart thing to do."

Smith again points to technique.

"We will either over-drop our zone coverage or bite on something that you're not supposed to," he said. "Someone will see something in a zone and they'll just run to it instead of staying in their spot to see the next guy coming."

Colby admits the recent struggles make it more challenging to get defenders to trust their ability. But head coach Pat Fitzgerald insists there's a model to follow.

"In 1995, there was no evidence that we'd be a good defense, either," said Fitzgerald, a linebacker for the defense that led Northwestern to the Rose Bowl. "We just kept working and stuck together.

"There are a lot of lessons to be learned there."

Getting defensive

Here are Northwestern's national rankings in defense since 2000:

Year Total defense Scoring

2000 89th (408.1 ypg) 85th (30.4 ppg)

2001 107th (467.6) 101st (34.4)

2002 116th (502.3) 113th (41.1)

2003 88th (417.3) 57th (25.1)

2004 68th (391) 75th (28.5)

2005 117th (480.4) 106th (33.9)

2006 85th (362.5) 88th (26.2)

2007 63rd (376.5) 69th (27.3)