Everybody knows about Ndamukong Suh, the senior Nebraska defensive tackle who is a sure-fire bet to earn All-America status at the end of the season.
But the Cornhuskers have another defensive tackle who is pretty good, too. He actually leads the team in tackles with 60, four more than Suh.
His name is Jared Crick (pictured above on the right) and as a sophomore he has recorded nine sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups this season.
K-State center Wade Weibert said he’ll be paying just as much attention to Crick as Suh on Saturday.
“All year you’ve only really heard about Suh,” Weibert said. “He’s dominant and he’s strong, but Crick is good in his own right.”
Some have suggested that Crick, who Nebraska is pushing for All-Big 12 and All-America status in addition to Suh, only has such great stats because he benefits from all the double and triple teams opponents give to Suh.
But K-State coach Bill Snyder said he thought Crick would be an excellent player with or without Suh.
“I’m not sure that the other one (Crick) isn’t very far behind (Suh),” Snyder said. “The other one gets all of the numbers.”
Offensive lineman Nick Stringer agrees. He said he’s not sure if K-State has faced a better defensive tackle than Crick all season.
It will be his job, along with the rest of the Wildcats blockers, to keep Suh and Crick away from Gregory and running back Daniel Thomas.
It might not take a lot of points to beat Nebraska, but it will be difficult to score. The Cornhuskers’ defense has allowed 11 points a game this season.
Suh may be the main reason why. But Crick has been there every step of the way, too.