Ndamukong Suh postgame press conference:

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mike Ekeler leans his head back and smiles, as if to say “thanks for noticing.”

The Nebraska linebackers coach seems more proud papa than coach.

On this night he's especially proud. He says he's happy for each member of his linebacking corps, but you can see an extra little perk in that grin when he starts talking about what Phillip Dillard brought to the table during Thursday night's 27-12 win over Missouri.

“He showed up to play and he played,” Ekeler said. “And played well.”

Dillard came in for starting linebacker Will Compton after a second-quarter miscue by the freshman allowed Missouri back Derrick Washington to slip free for a 9-yard reception.

Husker coach Bo Pelini called Dillard's number, and he delivered.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior registered three tackles and a break-up, helping a Husker defense that allowed just 225 yards of total offense to one of the country's most prolific units.

The emotional lift and fire he played with, Ekeler said, won't show up on any stat sheet.

“He had a hot hand going in there,” Ekeler said. “Phil came in with great leadership and he was physical getting to the ball.”

Dillard, who found himself missing from the depth chart during fall camp, gave a huge lift to a Nebraska defense that was playing in its dime package most of the evening.

“He was huge,” said Compton, who finished with six tackles.

Ekeler said there were never “lost points,” echoing what Dillard has said about not being in the proverbial doghouse. But the coach won't hesitate to say that it's been Dillard's hard work that's gotten him back into the fray.

“For Phil to go through some of the things he has and battle his way back,” Ekeler said, “I'm just really, really, really proud of him.”

Dillard is just happy to be contributing again.

“It feels good,” he said. “I just see it as just one of the 11 out there trying to help the team. Whenever they call my name I just go out there and do whatever I can do to help my teammates.”

He uses words like “intensity” and “fire” when talking about the way he plays. And he may even throw the adult version of “ticked off” in there once in a while.

The kind of guy who can't help but love a cold, rainy night for a conference opener. And his timing sure was right. Dillard picked a pretty good night for a comeback story.

“I wouldn't have had it any other way,” Dillard said. “That was fun.”

Contact the writer:

850-0781, nickrubek@hotmail.com

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