Nebraska’s DT tandem a load inside

IOWA CITY - Nebraska's defensive tackle tandem of Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine gained starting experience as freshmen and now are a handful now as sophomores. One wonders of what they're capable of once they become upperclassmen.

Collins, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 300 pounds, has 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this year. Valentine (6-3, 325) has two sacks. Each player has 33 tackles.

'It's a really interesting match-up,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'We haven't played anybody as big and physical as this group. Those two guys inside are huge. They look like somebody slipped them in from Sunday. One of those deals. At least they're at their advertised weight. Both really good players.”

Along with his size, Collins has good feet and athletic ability. He's active against the pass, ranking second on the team in quarterback hurries with 13. Valentine is more of an anchor up front, and he produced a pair of turnovers (deflected pass, forced fumble) against Michigan State. Collins has started every game, while Valentine came off the bench against Rutgers and Purdue after he was injured at Northwestern.

'They're still both young football players, obviously, but both have gotten better as season's gone on,” Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini said. 'I think they're both going to keep getting better. They both have a chance to play at the next level and play at a high level if they keep progressing and stay focused and keep working.

'They both have a good work ethic, they're both very talented, they've got the size. I think there's a lot out ahead of these two guys.”

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com