Steven Sipple: Nebraska reaches season’s midpoint with predictable record, but how it got there is another story
Things I know, and things I think I know: Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield takes a pragmatic approach when it comes to his unit’s identity this season.
You can’t afford to be hardheaded and try to be something you’re not, he says.
“I think we’ve just kind of kept searching until we found how we can gain production at different spots, and we know who those guys are and how to utilize them,” Satterfield says. “Sometimes that comes through the air, sometimes that comes through a run. It comes from a variety of different ways you can do it.
“We do have an identity from the standpoint of we know who we can lean on and who can produce.”
It’ll be extremely difficult for me to be critical of Satterfield the rest of this season considering he’s trying to piece together an offense with chicken wire. Think about it. His starting quarterback (Jeff Sims) went down with an ankle injury in Week 2 and is just now (apparently) returning to form. His top two running backs (Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson) were lost for good this season with injuries in Week 3.
Nebraska’s without two of its top receivers (Zavier Betts and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda) and might soon be without a third (Marcus Washington).
Even so, Nebraska sits at the midpoint of the regular season with plenty of reasons for optimism. A bowl game, for instance, is eminently achievable. With a record of 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten, the Huskers basically are where I expected them to be. But their path to 3-3 and 1-2 isn’t exactly what I envisioned, in large part because of what Satterfield’s facing on his side of the ball.
Nebraska ranks 104th nationally in total offense, averaging 342.3 yards per game. Yes, I expected better, but again, injuries have taken a toll. The Huskers are 22nd nationally in rushing (200.5 ypc), which is admirable and even impressive, but rank 128th in passing (141.8 ypc).
Perhaps you’ve noticed that Nebraska isn’t exactly loaded down with explosive, playmaking receivers.
Bear in mind, first-year Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule ultimately wants his offense’s identity to be one that consistently hammers opponents with a strong ground game — body blows — then hits them with occasional play-action passes. Mix in some option plays and — voila! — you have an identity.
Ah, but injuries complicate the discussion, as does an offensive line that has been OK, but — with a wealth of veterans — should be better than it’s shown.
The Weekly Rundown: Nebraska’s path to a bowl game, and Matt Rhule’s approach pays off
Nebraska defense reaches midpoint with impressive stats
As for Nebraska’s defense, I never dreamed it would reach the season’s midpoint ranked 22nd nationally in yards per play allowed (4.75). Tip your cap to Tony White and company. Yes, his crew was lousy against Michigan. But it responded in a big way against Illinois. Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoy watching the Husker defense fly around the field and make plays.
Nebraska allows only 2.65 yards per carry (ninth nationally) and after allowing 4.55 last season (101st).
Nebraska recorded three sacks against Illinois to raise its season total to 17 (tied for 20th) after recording 21 all of last season (101st).
From an outsider’s perspective, the chemistry on that side of the ball appears to be outstanding. Against a Big Ten schedule that probably never again will be this light, Nebraska’s defense should keep the team in every remaining game. Heavens, it would help matters for the Huskers if their special teams could become a bit more reliable. It’s been an up and down ride in that phase of the game.
Rhule says Nebraska, as a program, is still trying to learn how to win. He liked what he saw in that regard against Illinois, especially considering what had happened the week before against Michigan.
He seems to genuinely like this team.
“I think we’re a tough, resilient bunch,” Rhule said following Friday night’s win against the Illini. “We didn’t like the way we played last week. We battled here. When it was going well, we didn’t just relax. Again, we would’ve liked to clean some things up.
“But I thought they attacked.”
If Nebraska stays in attack mode — and injuries on offense don’t get out of control — I fully expect Rhule’s crew to thrust itself into bowl eligibility.
That would be quite an achievement considering Nebraska’s challenges on offense.
“Whenever you start adventures and come into a new program and start to build it, it’s not always easy and you’ve got to be creative in how you attack daily challenges,” Satterfield says. “We don’t really look at them as challenges as much as opportunities to improve and get better.”
Semantics aside, Satterfield has a tough job ahead.
Keep an eye on Rhule’s handling of QB situation
With wins in three of its last four games, and with two straight home games ahead, Nebraska has a chance to pick up serious steam entering the month of November.
As Bill Callahan liked to say, “The games to remember are the games in November.”
(Sorry, couldn’t resist).
As current captain of the Big Red ship, Rhule has plenty to think about. Plenty to manage. That includes a quarterback situation that likely will evolve as Sims’ ankle returns to 100%. It’s getting close to it, Satterfield said last week.
“He’s just out there competing,” the offensive coordinator said. “Both of those guys (Heinrich Haarberg and Sims) are doing a nice job just competing with each other each day. I think Jeff will be out there at some point sooner or later.”
Sometimes, quarterback situations work themselves out.
Sometimes, they require deft handling by a head coach.
This situation is hard to predict. Let’s leave it at that.
Keep an eye on a troubling Nebraska stat
A friend alerted me of this statistic Monday afternoon.
Nebraska is one of only four FBS teams that ranks 100th or worse in both red zone offense and red zone defense.
The others are Vanderbilt (2-5), Charlotte (1-4), and Temple (2-4).
This surely isn’t sustainable for a team with bowl aspirations.
Yes, there’s plenty for Rhule and company to manage.
A quote for the road
So, let me get this straight.
Michigan played back-to-back Big Ten road games (Nebraska, Minnesota) and committed a combined one penalty and zero turnovers.
Yeah, it’s a machine.
“I think they’re the best football team I’ve seen in 11 years of being a head coach,” Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck said Saturday night after the Wolverines prevailed 52-10. “I’ve never seen a football team like that — that deep.”
“They’re one of the deepest teams, one of the best teams, one of the biggest teams, fastest teams, strongest teams — and they do not make mistakes,” Fleck added. “They are truly like a boa constrictor.”
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