LINCOLN Midway through the third quarter of last season's opening game against Nevada, Kevin Dixon introduced himself to Nebraska football fans.
More specifically, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive tackle (he's 272 right now) intercepted a pass thrown by Nevada quarterback Nick Graziano.
The ball seemed to hang in the air, Dixon said, recalling with relish his first game as a Cornhusker after transferring from Garden City (Kan.) Community College. "Everybody was around me, so I couldn't show off my speed."
There was no return yardage. He just went down to the ground.
Even though he had intercepted passes before, "it was a big deal," said Dixon. "It was at the University of Nebraska, so it was a big deal."
The interception was the Cornhuskers' first of the season. And when Dixon came off the field, he was met by then-defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, "who was like, 'Oh, you're leading the team in picks,'" Dixon said.
"It was a good experience, a very good experience."
It also was a rare experience for Nebraska in 2007. Dixon didn't drop from the team lead in interceptions until the fifth game of the season, when linebacker Bo Ruud picked off a his second pass. And at season's end, Dixon was tied for third.
Ruud and cornerback Cortney Grixby were tied for the lead with two each. Only three other Cornhuskers intercepted passes for a total of eight.
Texas A&M tied Nebraska for the fewest interceptions in the Big 12. The total was the Cornhuskers' lowest since 1968. And it was in marked contrast to a nation-leading 32 in 2003, Bo Pelini's one season as Nebraska's defensive coordinator.
As paltry of a figure as eight was, it fairly dwarfed the Cornhuskers' three fumble recoveries. Never in modern history had they recovered so few.
Not surprisingly, Nebraska ranked 117th in the nation in turnover margin. And not surprisingly, creating turnovers is an emphasis this spring.
"Exactly," said Dixon. "We want to get a lot of turnovers. If we're going to be a good defense, we're going to have to. And it starts with running to the ball. If you watch football, there are guys running to the ball, stripping, working techniques to get the ball out. And pressure, if the quarterback gets pressure, you get interceptions."
Pressure was in short supply last season, too. Nebraska managed just 13 sacks.
Pelini's system, "I think, allows the D-line to be a big part of the defense," Dixon said. "They've (coaches) got us moving a lot because they understand the D-line has great quickness. We're going to use that to scheme-change."
The defensive line also has experience, with returning starters Ndamukong Suh and Ty Steinkuhler, Dixon (who started four games) and Shukree Barfield.
Suh is sidelined this spring by a knee injury, and "it's tough not seeing him out there in that big (No.) 93. But when he gets back, I think we'll be just fine," said Dixon. "He's still in the playbook, learning, so . . . he's not going to be far behind."
Dixon is in the playbook, learning, too. His post-practice routine includes studying for classes first, then studying the playbook and going to bed.
He also studies LSU All-America defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, and not just because Pelini was the Tigers' defensive coordinator the past three seasons. Dixon would be watching tape of Dorsey, anyway. "When I watch ESPN, I see Glenn Dorsey, the No. 1 D-lineman, so I've got to check him out, learn from the best," Dixon said.
Even though Dorsey can do things others cannot, "just a lot of technique stuff that he did we're learning right now, so it helps out a lot," said Dixon.
"Once you get that technique down, everything will fall into place."
Dixon doesn't dwell on last season. "We're going to try to put that behind us. You really can't do anything about it now," he said.
He hasn't put the interception behind him, however. It remains vivid in his mind, as does his first series in the Nevada game. Was he nervous?
"I'd like to not think so, but I probably was, to hear the fans screaming and you can't even hear what defense is called," he said. "All my friends call and are like, 'How is it? I saw you.' I can't explain it. It's awesome being out there, being around a good group of guys, playing the game you love."
Once the ball is snapped, he doesn't hear the fans screaming. His focus is on the play.
After the interception, however, "I definitely heard the crowd," he said.
Mike Babcock is a freelance writer who covers Nebraska football.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]