Daniel Nussbaum is a different player this season. With ‘a huge leap,’ he takes Naperville Central with him.

Daniel Nussbaum has never played quarterback for Naperville Central.

But that hasn’t stopped the 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior from becoming the Redhawks’ field general. Nussbaum has made a huge impact this season playing middle linebacker under new defensive coordinator Rick Magsamen, who is in his third year on the staff but first in that role.

“It’s a brand-new defense with me coming in,” Magsamen said. “Danny adapted to that real quick, and he’s able to call defenses on the field regularly, so he’s my quarterback out there.

“He’s my guy. I’ve always had those relationships with my mike linebackers.”

Nussbaum already had two seasons of varsity experience under his belt, including one as a co-captain. But he has stepped up his focus and intensity this season. Magsamen, who previously was the defensive coordinator at Maine South, said Nussbaum is more disciplined, and the Redhawks agree.

“He’s really embraced the role,” senior defensive back Gavin Wade said. “Especially from last year, he’s made a huge leap, and it’s really helped us as far as leadership.

“He was really committed the whole offseason, and we all appreciate him for it. We’re just trying to put him wherever he can make plays to help the team as a whole.”

Nussbaum was everywhere the Redhawks needed him to be during their 31-14 Southwest Valley Red Conference victory against Andrew at Memorial Stadium on Friday night. He guided a defense that held the Thunderbolts scoreless until the final play of the third quarter, and he made two key plays in the fourth quarter.

The first came on offense. Inserted as a fullback, Nussbaum threw the block that helped senior running back Aiden Clark score his third touchdown of the game, a 2-yard run that gave the Redhawks (3-0, 1-0) a 31-14 cushion with 2:32 left. Clark finished with 120 yards on 30 carries.

“When we call heavy formation, we know what we want to run,” Nussbaum said. “We know who we want to run behind, and we know that our guys up front are going to make the plays.

“The guys up front made good blocks, and I was just at the right place. I just had to do my job, but it starts with the scout guys. They were giving the offense great looks all week, giving them a chance to replicate it.”

It’s hard to replicate in practice what the Thunderbolts (1-2, 0-2) do in games. Andrew is one of the few teams that use an old-school ground game to pound defenses.

That provided a fascinating matchup with Naperville Central’s defense, which is geared to stop the run. The Redhawks were able to do that until Ryan Burns broke a tackle and scampered 31 yards for a score as time expired in the third quarter to make it 24-7.

“We knew that this week was a lot different than the first two weeks,” Nussbaum said. “They’re a run-heavy team, and we know that with a wing-T, triple-option team, you’ve got to do your job.

“If you fail to do your job, they’re going to break free. You do your job so your brother can do his.”

What was Nussbaum’s job?

“The middles were on the fullbacks all day, unless we were pinching and we had the quarterback,” Nussbaum said. “My D-line did their job so we could do ours.”

It happened again on Andrew’s final drive. Two plays after Clark’s last touchdown, Nussbaum picked off a tipped pass at Naperville Central’s 42-yard line with 2:05 remaining.

While Nussbaum’s entertaining 58-yard return to the end zone was called back, it didn’t matter because the Redhawks were able to run out of clock.

“We get a tipped ball up front, and I was just in the right place at the right time, so it always starts with the guys up front,” he said. “Unfortunately, we got a penalty, but we were able to finish it out when we needed to. We’ve got to get better, but the Redhawks are 3-0.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

Originally Published: September 14, 2024 at 12:47 a.m.