I’m excited to say Nebraska is 3-0 to start the season. But not all fans thought they would be 3-0. Several were worried about Colorado. The worry was for nothing, Matt Rhule had the Huskers ready, and they won in a convincing fashion.
After seeing how the Huskers handled Colorado, Northern Iowa was counted as a win before the game was even played. And several fans started talking about being 7-0 when going to Ohio State.
Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle on that thought. Do I think 7-0 is a possibility? Yes – but ask me if I think this team is good enough to overlook their remaining foes. They aren’t. The Huskers have work to do.
Need I remind you that UNI’s first drive was 16-plays, consuming 10-minutes of clock for 62 yards and a score. Granted, it was only 3 points, but the Blackshirts didn’t look ready and showed us something we hadn’t seen this season, poor tackling. UNI’s BIG 10 type O-line made their blocks, and our linebackers got caught up in the trash. Running backs were getting to the next level and forcing our smaller DB’s to make tackles. Rhule said it, runs that should have been 2 yards were 5, and runs that should have been 5 were 8. Nebraska struggled with yards after contact as well. The Blackshirts had only allowed 80 yards after contact in the first two games, but gave up 180 yards to UNI. Don’t think Illinois’ 6’3” 250lb RB Kaden Feagin didn’t take note of that.
The Blackshirts held UNI to 301 total yards, 162 passing and 139 rushing, for 18 first downs. UNI’s QB put up 49 of those rushing yards. The Blackshirts have struggled with running QB’s and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer is a better runner than UNI’s Dunne.
The long drive and controlling the clock is worrisome because it looks eerily familiar to a defense that struggled to get stops in the last four games of 2023. However, the defense got better as the night went on, even with Tony White making multiple substitutions. 35 players saw action on defense, 11 defensive lineman, 12 linebackers, and 12 defensive backs. The three non-conference games allowed several younger players to get much needed experience.
‘Venom Back’ Isaac Gifford and linebacker Jon Bullock were the top tacklers, showing up numerous times as they flew to the ball. Gifford led the team in tackles with 10 total, 4 solo, and1 ½ tackles for loss. Bullock made 9 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss. After the game Gifford stated, “We didn’t really play to our standard in the first half.” It’s the kind of statement you like to hear a player make, dissatisfied with the defense’s performance after holding them to 300 total yards and 3 points.
The UNI game was a good wakeup call before BIG 10 play, giving Tony White and the Blackshirts notice that things needed cleaned up going into a short week.
But the work doesn’t end with the defense, there are concerns about the offense as well. The offensive line has yet to play against BIG 10 defensive tackles or elite rush ends. Until they do, there will be questions. The O-line still hasn’t allowed a sack, but UTEP is 0-3, Colorado is an unknown, and Northern Iowa is an FCS team. The real test is coming in BIG 10 play.
Against UNI, Dylan Raiola was impressive on his first three drives with 13 completions in his first 14 passes for 209 yards and 2 TD’s. His fourth series ended on downs before halftime. In the second half he was 4/9 for 38 yards and 1 INT. He finished the night 17/23, for 247 yds, 2 TD’s, and 1 Int. In his first three games, he is well above a 70% completion rate. Learning as you go and still getting victories is a massive achievement.
The running back position continues to be handled by committee. But after three games, it seems to me that Dante Dowdell and Emmett Johnson are clearly the top two backs. Nebraska had 142 yards rushing against UNI. Dowdell had a 38-yard run in the third quarter and Emmett Johnson had a 36-yard run in the fourth. The remaining 20 rushes netted 68 yards.
One would guess that Rhule and Satterfield are going to cut down on the rotation at both running back and wide receiver going into BIG 10 play. Dowdell leads the team in rushing with 184 yards, followed by Emmett Johnson with 124 yards. I look for Dowdell to be the starter while Emmett Johnson will be the closer. With fresh legs, Emmett showed a burst late in the UNI game.
At the wide receiver position, Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks should be the starters but, young receivers Jaylen Lloyd, Carter Nelson, and Jacorey Barney are seeing plenty of action. The three youngsters in three games accounted for 19 receptions for 232 yards and 1TD. Barney has also rushed 3 times for 38 yards and 1TD. Nebraska is deep at receiver and there are others that will see time but look for the five I mentioned to play big roles moving forward.
From the TE position, Thomas Fidone will see the most time when running 11 personnel. He has 6 receptions for 27 yards this season.
What we saw of the kicking game looked improved, with Alvano making both of his FG’s from 32 & 21 and all 3 extra points. Snapping didn’t seem to be an issue from new long snapper Aidan Flege. John Hohl also made the only extra point he attempted. Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda had 1 punt return for 5 yards. There were no kick returns and punter Brian Buschini never had to punt. The special teams need to improve each week if the Huskers wish to reach their goals.
Offensively, Nebraska played conservatively the second half of their last two games. It seems Rhule wants this team to learn how to hold onto a lead and win games. It’s a different approach, most coaches want their teams to learn how to put their foot on the opponent’s throat. Perhaps since Rhule commented that the non-conference games were like preseason, we’ll see that change with BIG 10 play. It may have been wise to give this team additional work in the red zone. Nebraska has struggled, only scoring 71% of the time once in the red zone. And only 51% of those are TDs. That number needs to be closer to 75% to win in the BIG 10.
Whatever the approach Rhule takes, fans are ready to see four full quarters of football from this team. To beat Illinois, the Huskers will need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. My bet is the coaches will have this team ready to rock.
Good things are about to happen.
