• Video: Rich Kaipust, Jon Nyatawa and Mitch Sherman break down the NU-KSU matchup on the Big Red Today Show:



LINCOLN — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini came over to Marvin Sanders during preseason camp and told his secondary coach that he not only had been watching Dejon Gomes but liked what he saw.

How could the Huskers find a way to get Gomes on the field, Sanders said Pelini asked, “because I think he can do some things.''

“I told him, ‘Well, he's behind Eric (Hagg) right now at the nickel back spot, but if we go some dime I think he can play that position,''' Sanders said.

What spun out of those ongoing observations was the defense that Nebraska has been playing regularly for several weeks. Playing dime — in other words, six defensive backs — has made sense against the style of offenses around the Big 12 that try to spread teams out.

That, in turn, has made Hagg and Gomes more than just backups at safety and corner, respectively.

And with the dime package becoming more and more effective, it's possible that its success might even keep the Huskers from scrapping it completely Saturday night when Kansas State brings a more power-based offense to Lincoln.

“Without giving it away, you'll still see guys in there that we've trusted to make plays with all year,'' Sanders said. “It's developed that much. Absolutely.''

Hagg and Gomes have joined starting safeties Larry Asante and Matt O'Hanlon and starting cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard to form the dime package. That regularly has left Phillip Dillard as the only linebacker on the field for defensive coordinator Carl Pelini.

Sanders said the players have shown the ability to play the dime against more power-based personnel.

Against Kansas, the Huskers stuck with Gomes even when the Jayhawks inserted a tight end for their “big personnel.'' Against Oklahoma, Hagg stayed on the field for a fourth-and-1 and essentially was playing a linebacker role when he charged in and stopped tailback DeMarco Murray for a 2-yard loss.

“Coach Carl has confidence in putting those guys in those situations,'' Sanders said.

But there's risk, too.

“Gomes is probably all of about 195 pounds, so you don't want him constantly taking on 260-pound tight ends or 300-pound linemen,'' Sanders said. “But for a series or two here or there, when you know a team may have to open it up a little bit because you have the lead, then you can get away with it.''

Bo Pelini said Nebraska could use more of linebackers Sean Fisher and Will Compton against K-State. That will depend on how the Wildcats choose to play the Huskers.

“We have a lot of options personnel-wise,'' Bo Pelini said, “and we're going to put the guys out there that we feel are able to execute the defenses we're putting out there.''

In the dime, Hagg said he and Gomes face responsibilities that range from covering receivers man-to-man to blitzing to playing the run. Both juniors have more than 30 tackles this season. Each has three quarterback hurries. Hagg has five tackles for losses, and Gomes has two interceptions.

“I think it works really good for us,'' Hagg said.

Amukamara said he's not surprised by the emergence of Gomes, a junior-college transfer who arrived in January. Amukamara said I-back Marcus Mendoza kept telling him Gomes was “a beast'' during camp, consistent with what Bo Pelini was seeing.

If not for the nickel or dime, Hagg said he realizes it would be hard for he or Gomes to unseat NU starters in the secondary. Amukamara is just happy they're on the field.

“I think what we're doing just brings more speed, more athleticism to our defense,'' Amukamara said. “I'm not trying to knock down Will and Fish, but I think that just helps us run with the slots and the wide receivers.''

Asked what NU might do against Kansas State, Amukamara said: “I'm guessing we'll probably stick to what we're doing.''

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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