What do we think of the Blackshirts so far this season? After a rough outing against Northern Iowa, in which they didn’t perform overly well, they back that game up with probably their worst performance against Illinois, arguably back to playing Michigan at home in 2023.
So which version is going to define this season? With Rutgers coming into town, it makes you wonder if Illinois was a bump in the road, or will the defense bow up like they did against Purdue, making the game a one-sided affair, that the offense only had to find themselves to get the Huskers a win.
I think the Blackshirts may have found themselves a little bit last week against Purdue. It’s no secret that the Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee has been a sore spot against the Huskers. He ran wild in 2022, churning out 178 yards, helping Purdue win a shootout against the Blackshirts. He was injured in 2023, and Nebraska won easily at home. This time Mockobee was healthy, and Nebraska went to work, bottling him up for only 41 yards on 13 carries. The prior week he had gashed Oregon State for 10 yards a carry on 16 carries, so he was in a groove.
Ceyar Wright has been a godsend for Nebraska, replacing preseason All-Big Ten selection Tommi Hill while he battles a foot injury. He has been so good in fact that Nebraska can go back to leaving him on an island and play with an extra player in the box. It was no coincidence that Isaac Gifford had a much better game last week, being freed up to be a playmaker instead of worrying about help side pass defense.
The defensive line looked better as well. Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson have been solid players so far, but having guys like MJ Sherman and James Williams step up and help put pressure on the quarterback is a big help. With Jimari Butler battling injuries, Nebraska needs all the help they can get on the defensive line.
So now that Rutgers brings in the leading rusher in the Big Ten, will the Blackshirts stand up to him like they did Mockobee? If the Nebraska that played against Purdue shows up, Nebraska will be in great shape. If the Nebraska that played against Northern Iowa and Illinois shows up, it will be a long bye week in Lincoln.
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| Bleed Husker Red Tees |
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Nebraska 24, Purdue 20. The actual score was Nebraska 28, Purdue 10. It was obvious with score tied at 0-0 at the half that Nebraska was going to need to step it up on offense. The field goal unit was about as miserable as they could be in West Lafayette. Two blocks and another outright miss, Nebraska could not get anything going in the kicking game. Dylan Raiola to the rescue, as he led three second half scoring drives. I don’t think Nebraska’s offense is bogging down anytime soon. They continue to move the ball with ease. When they needed to put points on the board, they stepped up and delivered in the red zone last week. Rutgers will likely be the same type of bend but don’t break defense. The Huskers will need to play like the second half this week to have any chance of winning.
Quick Notes:
Dylan Raiola…This kid, I swear, he just never sweats. When Nebraska needed to score in the second half, after Purdue took a field goal lead, he just calmly led the team down and put it in the end zone. He would tack on two more scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Whatever you think about Nebraska football, it is clear that Raiola is the straw that stirs the drink in Lincoln.
Emmett Johnson…Nebraska needed a running back to step up against Purdue and that back was Emmett. Johnson continues to have the most make you miss move in the running back room. On top of that, he has as good of hands as Rahmir Johnson. As Emmett starts to make plays blocking in the passing game, I believe he will start to see more carries. It’s apparent to me that Dante Dowdell and Emmett are the top running backs for the Huskers and the carries should reflect that. Although Gabe Ervin ran like a man possessed last week. It will be interesting if he his finally starting to recover from his injury.
John Bullock…I feel like Bullock is becoming a mainstay on this list each week. Again, he was the prominent player for the Blackshirts, this time, sealing the game with an interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Bullock has been a one-man wrecking crew. Clearly the most consistent player for the Blackshirts.
MJ Sherman…Whether it was two sacks, or one and a half (I’ve seen both) Sherman had his best day as a pass rusher for Nebraska. Sherman has been a leader on the team, saying all the right things and working hard. It was nice to see him have a breakout game. If he and James Williams and Kai Wallin can continue to get to the opposing quarterback, the Blackshirts still have another level to reach. It was a great game for Sherman.
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| Bleed Husker Red Tees |
Score Prediction: Nebraska 28, Rutgers 24 (in overtime)
Nebraska played the first half last week like a team that wasn’t sure they could beat Purdue. They played the second half like I thought they would play against Illinois. They carved up Purdue on defense and held the Boilermakers offense in check throughout the game. I expect Rutgers will have a plan up their sleeve and expect one special teams’ touchdown for them in this game. I think Nebraska will play well enough to win, but not in regulation. This week, Nebraska gets a monkey off it’s back by winning in overtime and starting the season 5-1. The best start of the season in 8 years, and GBR!!!
