Sipple: Five Nebraska Spring Game storylines to monitor
It’s finally arrived. Yes, many Nebraska football fans have been eagerly anticipating this year’s Red-White Spring Game, as evidenced by a crowd expected to be in the 60,000 range Saturday. Of course, Dylan Raiola is a focal point. But there are plenty of other elements to consider.
Five storylines:
Matt Rhule sets tone with serious approach
You won’t see any hot-dog eating competitions or other assorted contests pitting players against sorority girls or whatever. You won’t see media members fielding punts. This isn’t a “celebration of the program,” a throwaway day, as spring games have become at some other places. No, sir. As long as Matt Rhule is in charge of Nebraska’s program, the Huskers likely will take this scrimmage — the 15th and final practice of spring — very seriously. Rhule, 49, has an old-school bent that snugly fits a Nebraska program with a proud gridiron tradition. He said he’ll be looking for a high standard of football. “I don’t care if you’re a two or three — whoever — the standard had better be high,” he said. Love that approach. “I’ve never not done it this way,” Rhule added.
Look for Tony White’s crew to be dialed-in hard
Rhule got people’s attention this week when he said matter-of-factly that Nebraska’s defense “did not have a good day” during last Saturday’s scrimmage. He said the offense scored at least 10 touchdowns. Keep in mind, Nebraska’s defense ranked seventh nationally last season in average yards allowed per play (4.62) and 13th nationally in average points allowed per game (18.3). Second-year Husker defensive coordinator Tony White has no fewer than 15 defenders who played significant roles in 2023. This is supposed to be an excellent defense, so let’s see it Saturday when the curtain goes up. “I expect Tony to come out raring this Saturday,” Rhule said.
What to expect from Nebraska offense
Rhule told us in plain terms what to expect this scrimmage to look like (for the most part, anyway). “I can’t change the name because the marketing department would kill me,” he said. “But this isn’t like the Red-White Game for me; this is like the Red-and-White Shootout for me. I know we’ll be able to run the ball. I want to see if we can throw the ball, I want to see if we can catch the ball, I want to see if we can engage in two-minute (offense),” he said. “We want to see if we can throw, catch, rush the passer.” In other words, the spotlight will be on scholarship quarterbacks Raiola, Heinrich Haarberg, and Daniel Kaelin as well as rising-star receivers such as true freshman Jacory Barney Jr. and high-profile transfer wideouts Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor. This should be fun to watch. By the way, it was interesting to hear Rhule express that much confidence in the run game. Seems like a good sign.
Excellent training ground for rookie QBs
I’ve heard from several people who see practice regularly that rookie QBs Raiola and Kaelin have acquitted themselves nicely this spring (as has Haarberg, a junior). To be sure, Raiola has performed well enough to be considered the favorite to emerge with the starting job. No surprise there, right? But you wonder: Is he ready for the spotlight? I mean, really ready? “If you want to be the starting quarterback at Nebraska, you better be ready to deal with the heat,” Rhule said. “Heinrich learned that last year. A lot of guys have learned that it’s hard. I mean, you guys (in the media) don’t talk to Isaac Gifford after games. You don’t talk to Nash (Hutmacher). The media talks to me and the quarterback. The two people with the most pressure are me and the quarterback. If a freshman is starting, they better learn it now.” As in today.
Yes, the big crowd matters to the big boss
Rhule always gives you plenty to chew on during his media appearances. He’s often downright fascinating as he steers you into challenges his team faces. He had a great answer to a great question this week: Does the fact Nebraska players will perform in front of a big crowd Saturday raise the stakes in terms of evaluation? His answer tells you the big crowd absolutely matters. “The Tuesday-Wednesday (practice) Huskers last year were better than the Saturday Huskers,” the coach said. “The Saturday Huskers last year (had) doubt, fear, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of what people are going to say … all that stuff affects performance for young people.” Bottom line, he said, it’s his job to help his players overcome those fears and play to their capability, or beyond. “I’m very much excited to see us operate in front of a crowd.” He’s not the only one.
The post Sipple: Five Nebraska Spring Game storylines to monitor appeared first on On3.
