With the game being on Friday night it’s been a short week for the Huskers. Sunday’s announcement of James Fanklin’s firing at Penn State didn’t help either as there was immediate speculation Matt Rhule would be heading back to his alma mater. When Rhule met with media Monday he didn’t exactly squelch the rumors. Rather he seemed to dance around them and then lobby for more NIL money from donors. And while all of Husker Nation wanted resolution, as the week went on, they seemed to get on board with Rhule in saying it wouldn’t be a story or a distraction for this team. It was business as usual.
It probably helped fans in hearing starting QB Dylan Raiola say, “Our ball coach isn’t going anywhere. He’s staying right here.” Personally, I felt better in reading a post from 2027 QB commit Trae Taylor saying he was still all ‘N’ and nothing had changed. Hearing those two, I decided there just wasn’t any way Rhule could be pulling the wool over their eyes and bailing on Nebraska. So, for now I’ll age myself and take the Alfred E. Neuman approach, “What, me worry?”
This is a big game for Nebraska’s do-it-all RB Emmett Johnson as he returns home to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. Johnson, who had his best game as a Husker last week, wants nothing more than to beat his home state school. Minnesota didn’t recruit Johnson out of high school after being selected ‘Mr. Football’ by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association in 2021.
Johnson’s desire to win isn’t lost on his teammates, and several of them along with this coaching staff have their own axe to grind, having lost at Huntington Bank Stadium two years ago in a game they should have won. Add the fact that Minnesota has defeated Nebraska the last five times they’ve met, and well, you have a team that should be highly motivated.
Seeing this Nebraska team over the last two weeks makes me believe if they are ever going to win a game over PJ Fleck’s team at home, it’s this season. Having just picked up a number 25 ranking, the Huskers will have a huge target on their back, and the Gophers will be equally motivated.
Nebraska has been up and down offensively in the last two games, having great success in the first and fourth quarters but falling flat in the second and third. That will need to change, the Huskers can’t keep winning with that approach. On the season QB Dylan Raiola is 138/188 passing for 1,591 yards, a 73.4% completion rate, an 8.5-yard per pass average, 16TDs, and 5 interceptions. He’s been sacked 16 times on the season and all 5 of his interceptions occurred in the last three games.
His leading receiver is Nyziah Hunter who has 22 receptions for 415 yards, a 18.9 yard per catch average and 4 TDs. The Huskers average 310 yards a game passing.
Nebraska’s leading rusher is Emmett Johnson with 105 carries for 650 yards, a 6.2 yard per carry average and 7 TDs. The Huskers as a team average 136.8 yards per game rushing. It’s still unclear who RB2 is. This game is a great opportunity for the Bamboo Crew to pick up where they left off at Maryland and have a good game run blocking.
Total offense the Husker average 450 yards per game and 49.0 points. They are 33/70 on 3rd down for 47.14% conversion rate. And they still don’t seem to have totally figured things out when in the red zone.
PJ Flecks’ Minnesota teams are known for their big offensive lines and running the ball. With starting running back Darius Taylor missing a couple of games due to injury and still not 100%, he’s only rushed for 205 yards on 55 carries. Forcing the Gophers to turn to 6’0” 210lbs Fame Ijeboi, who has 48 carries for 225 and a 4.7 yard per carry average on the season. Minnesota averages 112.3 yards rushing per game and is ranked 114th nationally rushing.
Not being able to run the ball as in the past, Fleck has turned to the pass. Led by true freshman Drake Lindsey 6’5” 230 lbs. Lindsey is 113/188 throwing for 1,284 yards, a 60.1% completion rate, a 6.8 yard per throw average, 9 TDs, and 3 INTs. Lindsey does not run the ball and has been sacked 8 times this season. The Gophers average 228.5 yards a game passing.
Minnesota’s top two receivers are Javon Tracey 6’0” 205lbs and Le’Meke Brockington 6’0” 195lbs. Tracey has 15 receptions for 253 yards, a 15.8 yard per catch average and 2 TDs. Brockington has 23 receptions for 253 yards, an 11.0 yard per catch average and 2 TDs.
Total offense the Gophers average 340.8 yards per game and 28.3 points. They are 29/74 on 3rd down for 39.19% conversion rate.
Defensively, Nebraska allows 269.3 total yards per game and 18.7 points. They give up an average of 118.0 yards passing and 151.3 yards rushing. On the season the Blackshirts have registered 40 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, and 3 interceptions. DC John Butler said this week that he doesn’t care about QB hurries but rather QB hits. Hits on the QB make a difference in how he performs. Jack linebacker Desean McCullough leads the Blackshirts in TFLs with 5, and in sacks with 2.
Defensively, Minnesota allows 308.3 total yards per game and 21.2 points. They give up an average of 200.3 yards passing and 108 yards rushing per game. Minnesota has 37 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, and 6 interceptions on the season. Linebackers Deveon Williams 6’0” 225lbs, and Maverick Baranowski 6’2’’ 230lbs, are the Gophers leading tacklers. Defensive lineman Anthony Smith leads the team in TFLs with 6.5 and in sacks with 4.5.
All the numbers point toward this being a good match-up for Nebraska. However, if there is anybody that can bamboozle our Huskers it seems to be Fleck. Still, I like Nebraska to win this one.
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
Stats gathered from ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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