No one thing can save an offense if its counterparts aren’t also holding up their end of the bargain. Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield is a part of the equation, and by no means is this an attempt to rid Satterfield of his own shortcomings. There are clearly issues between the headsets, but where else does it feel like Nebraska football has lacked? It’s time we reflect with clear eyes and an open mind.
In the last ten years of Nebraska football, there has been only one running back to break the 1000 yard mark, and that came in Scott Frost’s first season when Devine Ozigbo finished out the year with 1,082. That also happened to be former Husker quarterback Adrian Martinez’s freshman year, arguably his best year wearing the scarlet and cream.
Apart from Anthony Grant in 2022 when he rushed for 915 yards, no other running back in that time has even sniffed 1000.
Nebraska hasn’t been a consistent program since the Bo Pelini days, and the most correlated offensive deficiency since the end of the Pelini era has been at the running back position. In each of the years from 2009-2014, the Huskers had a 1000 yard back. Whether it was Roy Helu Jr., Rex Burkhead, or Ameer Abdullah, the job was getting done. It’s also worth noting all three of those backs made careers at the next level. The proof is in the pudding.
Through nine games, it’s pretty much set in stone that there will not be a 1000 yard rusher this season, but it’s not necessarily the stats that matter. The running backs on the current roster have potential, but as of right now, nobody has proven they have the “it” factor that it takes to go from good to great.
For Nebraska to establish themselves as a formidable offense, it will have to include a running back who is capable of being a bonafide big play threat. Until that happens, history shows it’s mighty difficult to operate an offense at the kind of level this team is searching for.
