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Post-spring position recap: Does Nebraska finally have a 1,000-yard rusher in its midst?

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Post-spring position recap: Does Nebraska finally have a 1,000-yard rusher in its midst?


Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett get collectively to debate a number of switch portal matters, together with Casey Rogers’ entrance.

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Spring ball is within the rearview mirror and Nebraska soccer now strikes into the following section of the offseason.

There’s loads of motion on the horizon within the switch portal across the nation, so each workforce is continually in at the very least some state of flux. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent time to take a look at the Husker roster and recap spring developments and forecast the approaching weeks and months.

We now have a look at what could also be one of many workforce’s strongest place teams.

As NFL Draft week begins, here's a look at where analysts have former Huskers ranked

Operating backs

What we discovered this spring: Maybe probably the most compelling revelation was Anthony Grant’s emergence. However not far behind in that dialog was Jaquez Yant’s robust spring. 

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In the meantime, Rahmir Johnson, the highest returning rusher on the place, stays outstanding within the general image. In actual fact, Johnson began the Purple-White Spring Sport with the first-team offense. 

New Nebraska working backs coach Bryan Applewhite has a fairly stable state of affairs on his fingers, or so it seems. 

Individuals are additionally studying…

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Grant, the switch from New Mexico Army Institute (by the use of Florida State), peeled off probably the most spectacular run of the spring sport, a 60-yard dash to pay grime (in a touch-football state of affairs). In the course of the course of spring, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Grant established himself as a number one contender to win the beginning job. 

Yant, although, is also a prime candidate. The 6-foot-2 Florida native performed final season at about 250 kilos, he stated, however now ideas the scales at about 230. His stamina improved as spring apply progressed, Applewhite stated. 

In fact, Johnson, one of many workforce’s quickest gamers, might find yourself being the starter as soon as once more. The 5-10, 185-pound sophomore final season carried 112 instances for 495 yards and 4 speeding touchdowns whereas making 16 catches for 197 yards and two extra TDs. He had loads of bounce within the spring sport. 

Post-spring position recap: Can anyone emerge to push Thompson for the starting QB job?

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Questions remaining: What occurs to the pecking order when Gabe Ervin Jr. returns to full velocity after struggling a knee harm early final season? He is anticipated to be full-go by the point preseason camp begins in earnest in early August. A 6-foot, 215-pound redshirt freshman, Ervin Jr. began two of the primary 4 video games final season earlier than struggling his harm at No. 3 Oklahoma. 

Can 6-1, 230-pound Markese Stepp discover a groove? He confirmed promise at instances final season, ending with 177 speeding yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries. 

And what about incoming freshmen Ajay Allen Jr. (Monroe, Louisiana) and Emmett Johnson (Richfield, Minnesota)? Have they got the flexibility to shake up the depth chart? 

Quotable: Depend Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill, a switch from Arizona State, as a believer in Grant.

“Each time he busts a niche, he is gone,” Hill stated. “I have been making an attempt to get him. However that is a canine proper there.”

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“He is bought imaginative and prescient, velocity, he is shifty,” Hill stated. “I speak to him about his imaginative and prescient. I see him hitting a niche when it is not even developed but.”

Finest-case state of affairs: Nebraska’s had just one 1,000-yard rusher since Ameer Abdullah ran for 1,611 yards (6.1 yards per carry) in 2014. Since then, solely Devine Ozigbo has cracked the 1,000-yard barrier, speeding for 1,082 in 2018 (7.0 ypc). Scott Frost has stated he would like to see a bell-cow again emerge. Does NU have that man? If it does, it could take strain off principally everybody concerned.

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Analytics Review: Nebraska Football vs. Wisconsin

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Analytics Review: Nebraska Football vs. Wisconsin


It was an unseasonably nice afternoon in Memorial Stadium. And no, I’m not talking about temperatures in the high 50s for the final home game. In his second game as offensive coordinator, Dana Holgorsen’s offense exploded for arguably the Nebraska offense’s best game under Matt Rhule. Dylan Raiola played his best game, throwing for over 290 yards with no sacks and no turnovers. For the first time all season, I’d say the Huskers played well in all three phases of the game, and that was enough to send them bowling this December.

The story of this game was the Huskers offense. Emmett Johnson became Nebraska’s second 100-yard running back of the Matt Rhule era, joining Anthony Grant last season against Louisiana Tech. The Huskers had just two of their runs “stuffed” (a run for 0 or fewer yards) on their way to their second-best rushing output this season.

I was struck by the blocking effort in this game. Jahmal Banks held his block on the edge until Dante Dowdell crossed the goal line. Linemen were pulling and still blocking ten yards downfield, helping players fight for extra yards. That type of extra effort made this a special night for the offense.

Overall stat tables for Nebraska vs. Wisconsin.

Overall stat tables for Nebraska vs. Wisconsin. / Game On Paper

The Husker’s offense also dominated the control of the ball. The Nebraska offense was built on methodical drives. Even if you remove Nebraska’s two explosive plays, the Huskers offense still managed an EPA of 3.88. This was the first game all season where Nebraska’s non-explosive plays went for a positive EPA.   

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Special teams was also a big positive for the Huskers in this game. Nebraska’s special teams performed 12.5 points better than Wisconsin’s this game. This was just the second time this season that Nebraska’s special teams unit was a net positive (Ohio State, 2.86 EPA). John Hohl’s 14 points were the most by a kicker in the Matt Rhule era.

The defense still had its concerning moments this game. Wisconsin performed in the 90th percentile or better in many offensive statistics, including its seven explosive plays. These big plays are a cause for concern against Iowa, as the Wisconsin offense is one of the worst teams in the country in generating explosive plays, at just 5.8%. The Nebraska defense was stout on crucial plays, allowing just a 30% 3rd-down success rate and a 33% red zone success rate.

Biggest plays of the game, by absolute EPA.

Biggest plays of the game, by absolute EPA. / Game On Paper

Going into this game, Nebraska lost nine straight games after winning number five and ten consecutive games to Wisconsin. Many people on social media want to make fun of Nebraska fans for storming the field after getting to bowl eligibility. I’m happy these people can enjoy their laughs while they can. The Matt Rhule rebuild is running on schedule, and we all know what year three looks like for him.

Through 11 games, the Nebraska skill position group is the youngest in college football. The extra practice to build chemistry with each other and get more practice reps running Holgorsen’s offense is invaluable. The 2024 seniors won much less than most in Lincoln would’ve liked. But as they walked off the field for the final time, they put Nebraska football on a new trajectory.

MORE: Home Sweep Home: Nebraska Volleyball Dominates Wisconsin on Senior Night

MORE: Gallery: Nebraska Volleyball Sweeps Wisconsin on Senior Night

MORE: Gallery: Huskers Stun Wisconsin and Are Now Bowl Eligible

MORE: Tad Stryker: Breakthrough Day

MORE: I-80 Club After Dark: Party Like Its 2016

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

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Gallery: Nebraska Volleyball Sweeps Wisconsin on Senior Night

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Gallery: Nebraska Volleyball Sweeps Wisconsin on Senior Night


Nebraska and Wisconsin Volleyball have played a total of six sets against each other this season, all of which have been won by the Huskers. Seniors, Merritt Beason, Leyla Blackwell, Lindsay Krause, Kennadi Orr and Lexi Rodriguez were all celebrated for their contributions to the program after tonight’s win.

Lexi Rodriguez smiles during pre-game player introductions.

Lexi Rodriguez smiles during pre-game player introductions. / Amarillo Mullen
Rebekah Allick (5) celebrates her kill with Bergen Reilly (2).

Rebekah Allick (5) celebrates her kill with Bergen Reilly (2). / Amarillo Mullen
Andi Jackson (15) and Merritt Beason celebrate a double-stuff block.

Andi Jackson (15) and Merritt Beason celebrate a double-stuff block. / Amarillo Mullen
Taylor Landfair celebrates a Wisconsin touch for a Husker point.

Taylor Landfair celebrates a Wisconsin touch for a Husker point. / Amarillo Mullen
Justine Wong-Orantes (left) and Jordan Larson (right) are recognized for their silver medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Justine Wong-Orantes (left) and Jordan Larson (right) are recognized for their silver medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. / Amarillo Mullen
Bergen Reilly sets the ball.

Bergen Reilly sets the ball. / Amarillo Mullen
Laney Choboy celebrates a point for the Huskers.

Laney Choboy celebrates a point for the Huskers. / Amarillo Mullen
Rebekah Allick tallied 10 kills in Nebraska's win.

Rebekah Allick tallied 10 kills in Nebraska’s win. / Amarillo Mullen
The student section celebrates a point.

The student section celebrates a point. / Amarillo Mullen
The Huskers celebrate their three-set sweep over Wisconsin.

The Huskers celebrate their three-set sweep over Wisconsin. / Amarillo Mullen
Head coach, John Cook, hugs Merritt Beason during senior day introductions.

Head coach, John Cook, hugs Merritt Beason during senior day introductions. / Amarillo Mullen
Lexi Rodriguez (black) hugs a tearful Laney Choboy (left) and Harper Murray (right).

Lexi Rodriguez (black) hugs a tearful Laney Choboy (left) and Harper Murray (right). / Amarillo Mullen
Lexi Rodriguez waves to the fans at the Devaney Center.

Lexi Rodriguez waves to the fans at the Devaney Center. / Amarillo Mullen
The team meets on the court after their win.

The team meets on the court after their win. / Amarillo Mullen
The Nebraska Volleyball team poses with the this year's seniors.

The Nebraska Volleyball team poses with the this year’s seniors. / Amarillo Mullen



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Nebraska Football Leads Wisconsin 24-10 at Halftime

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Nebraska Football Leads Wisconsin 24-10 at Halftime


The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 30 minutes away from clinching bowl eligibility.

Nebraska leads Wisconsin 24-10 at halftime. The winner of this game will get to a sixth win on the season and become bowl eligible.

The Huskers got a kickoff return to midfield to open the game. That turned into a short field, and, eventually, a touchdown run by Heinrich Haarberg.

Wisconsin answered with a touchdown drive, but the Badgers struggled offensively the rest of the half, adding just one field goal. Wisconsin missed two other field goals.

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Nebraska added touchdowns from Dante Dowdell and Jahmal Banks. After the Banks touchdown with 17 seconds to go, Wisconsin fumbled on the first play to give Nebraska a chance to score again. John Hohl drilled the 37-yard field goal to send the Big Red into the half with the lead.

NU has 237 total yards to UW’s 205. The Huskers have a two-yard advantage in passing and a 78-48 lead in rushing yards.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is 17-for-22 passing. Emmett Johnson is leading the ground attack with 51 yards on eight carries.

Wisconsin will have the ball to begin the second half.

Nebraska Athletics Notes

MORE: I-80 Club: Has Nebraska Football Jumped the Shark?

MORE: After Nebrasketball: Nebraska Beats No. 14 Creighton

MORE: Red State: Nebrasketball Upsets No. 14 Creighton in Omaha, 74-63

MORE: Blue State: Creighton Women’s Basketball Upends No. 21 Nebraska, 80-74

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

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