Steven Sipple: Heinrich Haarberg shows enough prowess to be considered Nebraska’s QB of the present, but let’s keep it at that for now
Nebraska is improving as a team, first-year Husker head coach Matt Rhule insists.
You can see instances of it.
You certainly see them on defense, the Michigan debacle notwithstanding.
Let’s give Rhule the benefit of the doubt. After all, the Huskers have won three of their last four games since beginning the season 0-2.
If Rhule is right about his team continuing to improve, especially in the last four games, it’s doing so with Heinrich Haarberg as the starting quarterback.
Yes, that’s meaningful for Haarberg. Extremely meaningful.
It certainly meant something Friday night when Rhule characterized Haarberg’s overall performance as “excellent.”
“I told him I’m going to coach him like I would coach a really good one,” Rhule told reporters after Nebraska’s 20-7 triumph against Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.
That was interesting phrasing. Mind you, Rhule surely didn’t mean it as a slight to the quarterback. Granted, it’s clear that Haarberg, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound sophomore, still has to smooth a lot of rough edges in his game. But he’s done enough at this point to be looked upon as the leader of the offense. He’s become the man, so to speak. That’s my feeling.
Haarberg’s the man of the here and now. He shouldn’t have to look over his shoulder and constantly wonder what Rhule and his staff are thinking about Jeff Sims. Make no mistake, competition at the position continues. But Haarberg has earned some leeway from his coaches, or so one would think.
Could one make a strong case for Haarberg stamping himself as Nebraska’s quarterback of the future? It’s too early for such talk. He still has a lot to prove before we take the conversation in that direction.
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Matt Rhule says he’s coaching Haarberg hard
Rhule, though, says he intends to coach Haarberg hard. If you’re in the Haarberg camp, that’s a good sign. If you’re a player and your coach is harping on your mistakes, it means the coach believes in you. Otherwise, the coach wouldn’t waste his time.
Haarberg is awfully intriguing as a player, what with his blend of size and speed and explosiveness, and arm strength.
He showed flashes of brilliance in the passing game Friday night.
Rhule seems increasingly intrigued with Haarberg’s long-range potential. The coach’s tone regarding Haarberg seemed more upbeat and optimistic Friday night. That was my read. The coach likes the way Haarberg battles.
But, yeah, there are rough edges to smooth, as one would expect from a sophomore in his first season of starting collegiate games, or even playing in collegiate games.
“When he stepped out of bounds (in the fourth quarter) when he could’ve gotten the first down, I went after him in the middle of the game,” Rhule said.
Again, that’s a good sign for Haarberg.
Rhule clearly sees good in Haarberg. We all can see it. You saw it on Haarberg’s critical 38-yard completion to Marcus Washington early in Friday’s game as Nebraska fought to gain momentum. Haarberg let some throws rip in that game, especially in the first half. Rhule was confident enough in him to go for it on fourth-and-5 from Illinois’ 39-yard line in the second quarter. Haarberg responded with a 6-yard strike to Alex Bullock.
On the same drive, Haarberg also had a 21-yard completion to Ty Hahn on third-and-10. The drive ended with a touchdown to give Nebraska a 10-0 lead.
Haarberg complements Nebraska’s overall style
This is where we should mention what Rhule always says about this particular team — that it’s a defensive-oriented team.
One week after faltering badly against second-ranked Michigan, the Blackshirts were on their screws once again against Illinois, allowing only 21 rushing yards on 19 attempts. Nebraska’s defense went back to being fun to watch. It played as if it had something to prove, which it did, frankly speaking.
I like the way Haarberg fits in this Nebraska’s team overall personality. He often plays offense with a defender’s mentality. He takes on tacklers. He attacks. He doesn’t run out of bounds. Bless him for that.
But, yes, he’s still learning. He’s still learning the proper times to pitch the ball in the option game, although he showed progress in that area Friday. Meanwhile, he’s completed only 52.1% of his passes on the season (50-for-96), for 631 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions — and a few near-interceptions Friday.
He says he’s in the midst of finding rhythm and chemistry with his receivers. Remember, he was taking backup repetitions in practice until Sims went down with an ankle injury late in the second game, a 36-14 loss to Colorado.
It should be noted Haarberg is often rushed in the pocket because of so-so protection.
His relatively low arm slot on throws leads to passes being batted down.
He’s fumbled six times but fortunately has lost none of them.
Then there’s this: He’s the best rusher on the team — running backs (and Sims) included. He has carried 69 times for a team-high 352 yards (5.1 ypc) and three touchdowns.
Haarberg benefits most from game experience
Again, we have to be mindful of Haarberg’s relative inexperience as a starter, as opposed to Sims’ extensive experience for Georgia Tech, his previous school.
“Those live-game reps are the biggest thing for me,” Haarberg said. “You can go out there and go 10-for-10 against our defense in practice. But once you step out into Memorial Stadium, into the atmosphere … I mean, it’s one thing to run the ball. That’s just kind of natural. But having the ability to pass with that pressure on you, it’s a different thing.”
He noted an interesting challenge he often faces as the quarterback for a defensive-oriented team.
“Sometimes it’s a really quick turnaround with our defense,” Haarberg said. “You come off the field and you’re trying to regroup. Next thing you know, (the opponent) goes three-and-out, and it’s like, ‘Oh, we’ve got to get back on the field.’”
Yeah, it’s a good problem to have.
You might say the same thing about Nebraska’s current quarterback situation with Haarberg and Sims.
But I think it’s becoming less and less of a “situation.” Haarberg has earned some leeway — a longer leash, if you will. He’s a dangerous weapon and shows promise as a leader.
This much is certain: Haarberg will keep hearing Rhule’s loud voice in his ear, and that’s undeniably a good sign for the young man.
The post Steven Sipple: Heinrich Haarberg shows enough prowess to be considered Nebraska’s QB of the present, but let’s keep it at that for now appeared first on On3.
