LINCOLN — A knowing laugh, almost devious, follows the start of Carl Pelini’s explanation about the importance of top cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard to Nebraska’s defense.

“It’s very comforting,” said Pelini, the Huskers’ third-year defensive coordinator, still smiling at the thought. “In college football, if you’ve got two good corners, it allows you to be very creative inside, so I can’t express enough how important that is to our defense.”

Amukamara and Dennard form the best pair of NU corners, arguably, since Keyuo Craver and DeJuan Groce in 2001. In fact, the latest duo, set to man the edges Saturday when Nebraska hosts Western Kentucky at 6 p.m., wants to rank as the best in the country.

“We talk about it every day at practice,” Dennard said. “We want to be the two best out there. I think last year we showed we can be pretty good.”

Amukamara, a senior from Glendale, Ariz., finished last season with 64 tackles and five interceptions. His 14 pass breakups led Nebraska, and he added three sacks. A first-team All-Big 12 pick as a junior, Amukamara is a near-consensus preseason All-American this year.

The scary part? Dennard might actually be better.

He took over five games into last season. Dennard recorded 31 tackles without an interception. By the end of the year, he had developed into an equally solid option in coverage opposite Amukamara.

And Dennard, a junior from Rochelle, Ga., rates as perhaps the best athlete on the football team. He jumps higher than anyone else, that’s for sure — not a bad trait when you play cornerback.

“I’ve seen him gain more confidence in himself,” senior receiver Niles Paul said, “understand that he’s a difference-maker on the field.”

Others marvel, too, at Dennard’s athleticism.

“Just a tremendous football player,” Pelini said. “He’s got the potential to be a great one.”

Amukamara and Dennard helped Nebraska complete last season at No. 1 nationally in pass-efficiency and scoring defense. So what’s in store this year?

“Our goal is to be the two best in the country,” Dennard said. “I’m not going to say we are, but we can get there.”

Paul has practiced considerably against both corners. His rivalry with Amukamara reached a new level in the spring, when they battled for four weeks before Paul got the best of his defensive teammate in the Red-White game.

In the summer, the corners exacted some revenge against Paul as Dennard beat him in a race. Amukamara administered the competition, Dennard said. Perhaps Amukamara knows something about Dennard’s skills.

“I’m faster than Prince,” Dennard said. “He won’t ever admit it, but he won’t race me, either. He will not race me.”

Regardless, Dennard looked to Amukamara for guidance last season. And despite the trash talk, Dennard admires him.

“He can run,” Dennard said. “He can cover anybody. Prince, as an athlete, can do anything he puts his mind to.”

Paul describes Dennard as the quicker of the corners. He’s more difficult to beat on short routes, the receiver said, while Amukamara shines deep in coverage.

In that way, Paul said, they complement each other.

“They’re almost the perfect pair,” he said.

Safety DeJon Gomes won’t argue.

“If they’re on their A game,” he said, “it’s going to be a nightmare for opposing receivers.”

Secondary coach Marvin Sanders plays it a bit more cool.

They’re a rare pair, Sanders said, though he’s not into talking about his corners’ standing in the Big 12 or nationally. Team goals factor first, he said, a point he needs not emphasize with Amukamara and Dennard.

They know they’re good. Sanders knows it, too. But it’s key for Amukamara and Dennard to stay grounded and guard against overconfidence. Cornerbacks perform a demanding job — often humbling, Sanders said, even for the best.

Of that, the coach regularly reminds them.

“A cornerback can play 99 plays right out of 100 and lose a game on one bad play,” Sanders said. “whereas an offensive guy can play 99 wrong and win it on one. I always stress that in our teaching. You can always get better in order to make that one play.

“It’s about focus and dedication and making sure you do it always. I see that this year from Prince and Alfonzo.”

Contact the writer:

402-444-1031, mitch.sherman@owh.com

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