Tackle football: showdown in Lincoln could determine nation’s best DT
By JAKE TROTTER
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Published: November 5, 2009
NORMAN — Oklahoma boasts Lee Roy Selmon and Tommie Harris. Nebraska claims Larry Jacobson and Rich Glover.
But despite the two schools’ proud tradition at the position, never before in the history of OU-Nebraska has the defensive tackle matchup commanded the spotlight like it will Saturday. Sooner Gerald McCoy vs. Cornhusker Ndamukong Suh. Superstars who figure to go in the top five of next year’s NFL Draft. "Their guy is a great player and obviously you know how we feel about Gerald,” said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "They are two of the best defensive tackles to come through this league in a long time.” Forget the league. McCoy and Suh are two of the best defensive tackles to come through college football in some time. Both are favorites to win Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Both are near locks to be named first-team All-American. Both will vie for the Lombardi and Outland trophies. In fact, Saturday’s showdown could go a long way in determining all of that, despite the best efforts of both players attempting to downplay the matchup. "I’m interested to see how well our offensive line does against him, but for me, my concern is their offensive line,” Suh told The Oklahoman in a phone interview. "I’m not really paying too much attention to the hype. We’re on two total opposite sides.” McCoy tried to avoid taking any questions about the matchup by preemptively declaring he had nothing to say about Suh. But even McCoy acknowledged it’s not often the focus is on the defensive tackles. "Well true, but it is about time we get some credit,” he said. "We work hard enough. But we don’t want credit. We just want to do what we can up front to help our team.” McCoy and Suh have helped their teams profusely, but in different ways. Suh relies more on his athleticism to separate from blockers before chasing down ball-carriers across the line of scrimmage, one reason why he leads the Huskers in tackles, which is rare for a defensive tackle. McCoy often relies on his power to get penetration and disrupt opposing backfields. Of course, Suh has plenty of power; and McCoy, athleticism. "They’re both great players, but they play two different styles of football,” said OU center Ben Habern, who will be charged with the tall task of helping contain Suh. "Gerald is more of a penetrator trying to get through the line, while Suh is stand up, read the play, shed blocks and make tackles down the line of scrimmage. "Either way, they’re both big-time NFL-status players.” Text "SOONER” to 65360 for your chance to win a $100 gift card from O’Connells. OU news text updates from NewsOK sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts.
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McCoy played the entire game against Miami and had 1/2 of a tackle...1/2!!!!!!!!!!!! One on one with Joel Figueroa.
BTW Larry Jacobson won the outland and his career was shortened in the league due to a leg injury. But like I said this is about COLLEGE and NOT the pro's.