“Create chaos. That’s the whole thought process.” –Rob Dvoracek
Now in his third year with defensive coordinator Tony White, Dvoracek shares how the Huskers’ “Tops” movement flips the switch from playing defense to attacking offenses in their 3-3-5 scheme.
“We’re not trying to defend plays,” Dvorak said. “We’re trying to attack offenses. Dictate as much as we can on our side of the ball.”
The heart of Nebraska’s 3-3-5 defense is its flexibility. One killer trick is morphing into four- or five-man fronts using a stunt called “Tops” movement. Here, defensive tackles shift after the snap to create an over front—a lopsided line that screws up the offense’s plan. Instead of sitting in standard spots, the Huskers use misdirection and quick moves to throw blockers off.
The point,“ says Dvoracek, “is chaos.”
In a clinic, Dvoracek broke down a clip against Minnesota’s 12 personnel (two tight ends). Post-snap, Nebraska’s tackles slid, flipping their three-technique and shade alignments. This scrambled the offense’s blocking angles, leaving gaps for free rushers to blast through and blow up plays right at the line.
The Tops movement’s magic isn’t just up front—it’s the sleight of hand. Nebraska can pair it with any coverage, keeping their defense tight while forcing offensive linemen and running backs to scramble and guess.
Whether it’s wrecking a duo run or a counter, Dvoracek’s takeaway is simple: keep moving, dictate the fight, and you’ll own the game.
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