Last Saturday was a good day to go to Memorial Stadium. Really what day isn’t? Nebraska packed the house, brought in multiple former players and hosted more recruits than Rivals or 247 could keep track of. It also brought a sober reminder that Husker fans have suffered through some unbelievable personal tragedy the last two months. It also reminded everyone how much Husker football draws everyone together.
Donations continue to pour in to the Red Cross for flood relief. Nebraska is a state full of neighbors, always helping each other in need. It was nice to have a party that everyone could show up for and just step away from the flooding and disasters, even if it was for just a few hours.
The game itself didn’t draw near the anticipation that it did the previous season. In fact, it was more like a tribute to the people affected by the disaster and to the fans for filling the stadium one more time, than it was to showcase the actual players.
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There were still some great moments in the game. Watching Adrian Martinez is always exciting, even if it’s just for a practice. There was a deep pass from Luke McCaffrey that had everyone standing up. For the most part, Nebraska had most of their bullets left in the chamber. Highly ranked incoming players like Wan’dale Robinson, Chris Hickman and Nick Henrich, all early enrollees, didn’t play in the game due to injuries. Players that will be a huge part of the offense, probably the main components, J.D. Spielman and Maurice Washington didn’t play either.
Some players that stood out, besides Martinez were Austin Allen, Alex Davis, Darrion Daniels and Mohamed Barry. Some of that was expected. Davis has reportedly had a great spring camp. Allen was able to get more reps because Jack Stoll was held out this spring with an injury. Daniels, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma State, joins his younger brother Damion on the defensive line. The elder Daniels has a chance to make a real impact this fall on the defensive line. Last year’s defensive line felt like a weak link. This year, it could be one of the stronger parts of the team.
All in all, the game itself wasn’t as exciting as other spring games have been and having an entrenched quarterback does take some of the surprise out of things. Even with that, the backup quarterbacks on the roster acquitted themselves quite well and gives you some hope that if Martinez had to miss a start or two, the season wouldn’t be a complete disaster.
For the most part, the injuries suffered this spring shouldn’t carry over into the fall. With an incoming class that should provide depth, pizazz and athleticism to the roster, things couldn’t have gone much better for the team and coaching staff. For the first time in a long time, things look like they are on a solid foundation in Lincoln. In some ways it was a nice problem to have.
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Our last score prediction for the Iowa game was Nebraska 24, Iowa 23. We didn’t review the game, mostly because it didn’t end on the high note that we all wanted. Fact is, the first season of the Frost era didn’t go quite like we all wanted. I think that will be the last time we have to worry about a Nebraska team going 4-8 for a long time. Iowa won 31-28. It showed Nebraska wasn’t quite where they wanted to be, but don’t worry, the gap is closing fast for the rest of the Big Ten.
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Quick Notes:
Defense… All the hype of the Nebraska offense going into the off season, overshadowed the fact that the Husker defense is entering their second season with the same defensive coordinator, for the first time in 3 years. You can see that the defense will be better next season, just by familiarity of the scheme. It will be interesting to see who all steps up from the younger classes, but players like Mo Barry, Darrion Daniels, Carlos and Khalil Davis should provide a leadership group that this team can rely on. The secondary will get a nice influx of talent this fall. The linebacking corp is the biggest question mark, simply because a lack of depth, but there will be playmakers at every level. You didn’t always feel that way in 2018.
Offense…. The absence of Spielman and Washington really took the wind out the sales of the offense. Wan’dale Robinson, a dynamite athlete also missed the game as an injury precaution. He was the player most fans wanted to get a glimpse of. With a flood of new running backs and wide receivers coming in this fall, the entire roster will look a lot different during the season than it did for this exhibition.
Offensive Line …If there is a question mark that may hold the team back this fall, it is the offensive line. Brendan Jaimes is the best player on the line, it may not be close. Matt Farniok is an anchor on the right-hand side, whether he plays tackle or guard. After that, it remains to be seen who and where everyone will contribute. Boe Wilson will probably man one guard spot for sure, but outside of him, it could be several players. That leads us to center. Frankly if Husker fans want to be worried, that would be a reason why. Cameron Jurgens, the converted tight end, Will Farniok, AJ Forbes or even Hunter Miller could end up starting at center this fall. Whoever it is, until it’s shown to be a strength, should be considered a weakness.
Special Teams…Barrett Pickering continues to impress as a field goal kicker. Punter and the return teams on the other hand, need to have a shot of adrenaline after this spring. We can’t get too over the top critiquing the returns, as they didn’t do kick returns and Cam Taylor fair caught all the punts. Isaac Armstrong is the returning starter, but he didn’t have a great spring game. Caleb Lightbourn entered the transfer market, so it may be up to a walk on like Grant Detlefsen to push Armstrong this fall.
New Players…Darrion Daniels wasn’t the only new player on the roster that we saw a glimpse of. Jamie Nance at wide receiver, Garrett Nelson from Scottsbluff on defense and Casey Rogers, a redshirt defensive lineman, all showed some signs that they will be on the field next season. Brody Belt looked like a keeper at running back along with Mile Jones. It may be blessing in disguise that Wan’dale Robinson had to sit out. No need to let other teams watch how explosive he might be this fall.
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Score Prediction: Long Offseason
If we have learned anything over the years, it is that the break from April to August is a long one for a Husker football junkie. If you follow recruiting and the summer camp circuit there will be bits and pieces out there for us to digest, but nothing like the deluge of information that comes at the start of fall camp. Nebraska and Scott Frost have done a lot of work in the last 18 months to get Nebraska back on a winning projection. Now we wait to see how it all settles in come August 31st when South Alabama gets their shot in Lincoln. As always, Go Big Red!
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