My son-in-law and I attended the 1890 Nebraska Big Red Preview Saturday night with approximately 3,500 other fans. I’m glad we did. I haven’t been to a college football practice in over forty years. And while I wasn’t close enough to smell football, that odor that sticks in players pads from day after day of sweat. Nor could I hear the energy being exerted by runners or lineman trying to defeat the man in front of them. My eyes told me what I needed to know. I was watching a group of players, a coaching staff, and a support staff that’s putting in the work. They are making a maximum effort to be the team they want to be. The team we want them to be … a winning team.
1890 Nebraska and Matt Rhule gave us a gift. Allowing us to attend a practice gave me a new perspective. It’s easy to watch videos of practice and listen to people talk but seeing in person the work put in by these young men makes one realize how unappreciative we truly are as fans.
As I sat and watched, I almost felt guilty. Anyone who writes, produces a podcast, or talks on the radio about Nebraska football has it easy. We do. It’s easy to sit in a padded chair in an air-conditioned office and write about Nebraska football while propped up on the shoulders of the people putting in the work. As fans, we bath in the glory of their effort.
People complain about the record and want to talk about how good the players have it with state-of-the-art facilities, the training table, nutritionist, scholarships, pay through NIL and fan support. I’m here to tell you, they deserve every bit of it.
If Nebraska has another event like this again, I encourage everyone who considers themselves a fan to go. But go for the right reason. Not to say you contributed to 1890, not to get a photo with coach Rhule, and not for bragging you were there. But to take in and appreciate the effort being made. To see for yourself a program working to live up to the expectations of a fan base and a state.
If the season started tomorrow:
While this was just the third practice going into fall, it appeared clear to me Dylan Raiola is the starter at quarterback. Satterfield has stated you won’t play if you turn the ball over. And while I’ve been rooting for him, Heinrich Haarberg still looked like Heinrich Haarberg. He didn’t look as sharp as in the spring. I think Jayln Gramstad will be the number two QB when the season starts. Kaelin looked good, and you could see he added size, but this staff isn’t going to burn two QB redshirts this season.
Emmett Johnson looked like he picked up where he left off last season, while Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson saw more time with the 1’s and 2’s than I expected. All three looked like staters. I’ve been high on Dante Dowdell, and he looks the part. I was impressed with Mekhi Nelson’s quickness and Kwinten Ives looked bigger than I remembered. This is a good group, and like Rhule, I think we can win with every one of them.
Unlike last year, it’s clear there is depth and talent at the wide receiver position. With Jaylen Lloyd sidelined, Banks, Neyor and Barney stole the show. Raiola seems to be building a chemistry with all three. Bonner looked good and could be the safety valve Raiola needs. As true freshman, Carter Nelson, Keelan Smith, and Quinn Clark, all impressed me.
It’s early, but right now, the offensive line starters appear to be LT-Turner Corcoran, LG- Micah Mazzccua, C- Ben Scott, RG- Justin Evans, RT-Bryce Benhart. I like the looks of the guys behind them, the big uglies have size and depth. And I loved the nastiness I saw. That wasn’t there last year.
Defensively, the first unit was Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher and Jimari Butler, with Javin Wright, John Bullock and M.J. Sherman at linebackers. Wright looked physically imposing to me. Jeremiah Charles and Marques Buford were at the corners, and Issac Gifford, DeShon Singleton, and Malcom Hartzog Jr. were at the safety positions. I thought the second group of defensive guys from the line to linebackers and secondary looked deeper and more capable than what we’ve seen at Nebraska for some time. I know the secondary has been a hot topic, and while young, I think there is a ton of talent there. I was impressed watching John Butler work and I think he’ll get the best out of this group.
I must admit, I spent much more time watching the offense than I did the defense. Perhaps it’s because I feel like the season pivots on the offense. We expect the defense to be good, but I honestly believe we will only see massive improvement from the defense when our offense starts putting up yards and points. We need teams to stray from their game plan because they are playing from behind. The turnovers will come when a team is out of their comfort zone. It’s a team sport. One unit can make the other successful.
I was excited about the season before Saturday night, but I’m even more excited now. Good things are about to happen.
-Lyle Harmon
