Huskers' Crick also can wreck offenses

Most people don't pay attention to you, and those who do, assume you're just the beneficiary of the greatness radiating off your partner.

But consider what Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick did Oct. 31 against Baylor, recording five sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 tackles overall and recovering a fumble.

Suh, the AP Player of the Year, has not recorded five sacks in one game. No Husker has other than Crick.

Crick, the sophomore from Cozad, Neb., is fourth on the team with 70 tackles and second with 9 1/2 sacks - unbelievable numbers for a position designed to clog the middle and give other players the glory of a tackle.

So when the topic is raised this week about Nebraska's defensive line being the best in the nation, consider that there's more to the argument than one player.

If the line's skill was limited to Suh, the Arizona Wildcats would probably sleep easier before Wednesday's Holiday Bowl.

"We definitely think going into the game that we're the best D-line - we know we're the best D-line," Crick said. "We have to have that mentality."

Even with Crick playing the game of his life against the Bears, Baylor didn't feel compelled to double-team him. Doing so would have left Suh one-on-one.

Since then, Crick has garnered more attention - but definitely still benefits from the attention given his All-America teammate.

"We definitely give and take," said Crick, a first-team All-Big 12 honoree. "Some plays I'll get a double team. Some plays he's a double team.

"We definitely feed off each other."

One reason Suh decided to return for his senior season was to mentor younger players. And although the Heisman Trophy finalist said it would be impossible to measure their growth until he leaves, he seemed confident in Crick being a future star.

"I think Jared, from my being around him and understanding how he goes about things, I think I definitely had a good impression on him," Suh said. "He understands what his role is going to be next year, for the most part. He's been a leader."

That seemed unlikely last season. Crick redshirted in 2007, moving from defensive end to tackle. As a redshirt freshman last year, he recorded only two tackles, growing more accustomed to a playing weight that saw him add 35 pounds to his 6-foot-6-inch, 250-pound frame.

Crick was mentored by Suh, whom he calls Ducky, both on and off the field.

"I've learned a lot from him, from the game of football to intensity, playing hard every snap," Crick said. "I know what he's going to do every single play, and he knows what I'm going to do. It doesn't just come together overnight. It's a night-and-day process … in the off-season, working together as long as we have."

Suh and Crick will have as much to say about the outcome of Wednesday's game as any two players.

The Cornhuskers average 3.23 sacks per game, third-most in the nation.

The Wildcats allow 0.92 per game, tied for the 10th-fewest in America.

"That's a great challenge," Suh said. "They're a great team that protects their quarterback, which is what everyone wants to do.

"Our job as a defensive line - and a defense as a whole - is to make that quarterback uncomfortable and get back there and make his day uncomfortable. We're going to do that. We're going to force our way back there, some way, somehow."