Steven Sipple: Perhaps Nebraska’s QBs — most notably, surging Dylan Raiola — will find measure of comfort behind Donovan Raiola’s crew
Things I know, and things I think I know: So, we hear Dylan Raiola (and Nebraska’s other quarterbacks) enjoyed a strong scrimmage Saturday. I’m told Raiola was exceptional, making at least a couple eye-popping throws. Sure, that elicits hope in the fan base. But there’s another Raiola that has a critical job in the Husker machine — an even more important job, arguably.
It’ll be difficult for Dylan Raiola (or anybody else) to fire lasers in the autumn sky if he has no time to do it.
He’ll have more time to gun strikes if Nebraska’s running backs consistently find holes through which to roar.
Yeah, third-year Husker offensive line coach Donovan Raiola has a big job.
And, let’s be clear: It’s becoming increasingly evident his group will be in charge of protecting his nephew.
“It’s awesome,” Donovan Raiola said recently when asked what it’s like to watch Dylan daily. “You know, family’s everything for us, right? Just seeing him and how he’s becoming part of the team and understanding the standard and understanding the expectations every day …”
That goes for all the quarterbacks on the roster, Donovan said.
“But for us, it’s a comfort level,” he said of Dylan.
Nebraska’s quarterbacks perhaps feel a measure of comfort that they operate behind a veteran-laden offensive line — one of the most veteran offensive lines in the college game. Because of its wealth of experience — a combined 152 career starts among the top seven linemen — one would expect a level of consistency.
Nebraska offense enjoys “dominant day” in second scrimmage of spring, Rhule says
Rhule says Husker “D” creates issues for run game
Husker second-year head coach Matt Rhule indeed sees a level of consistency this spring, he said Saturday.
“Now, it’s been hit or miss in the run game sometimes because we create so many issues (defensively),” Rhule said of a Blackshirts unit that ranked ninth nationally against the run last season. “We create so many negatives. But I think our protection is getting better and better and better.”
Rhule said Nebraska’s run game is “solid.” OK, that’s not exactly a glowing review. But he reminds that the Husker offense operates against a “trying” defense that flashes a unique assortment of looks and pressures.
The coach also likes the depth developing behind the most battle-tested offensive linemen. He mentioned a couple names Saturday we hadn’t heard much this spring.
“I’ve seen a real jump from Gunnar Gottula,” the coach said of the redshirt freshman from Lincoln Southeast.
“We’ve seen a real jump from Sam Sledge,” the coach repeated, this time in reference to the redshirt freshman from Omaha Creighton Prep.
Because Nebraska starting center Ben Scott — a 39-game starter in college — has earned time off from scrimmage work this spring, sophomore Justin Evans (five starts last season) often toils as the starting center, with Sledge working as the No. 2 man.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Gottula gets most of his work at tackle.
Meanwhile, Evans draws strong reviews for his toughness and willingness to do things the Raiola way.
Donovan Raiola benefits from veteran crew
Make no mistake, this is a close-knit group that works hard for Donovan Raiola. The group trusts him. That became clear in a long conversation I had over the winter with former Husker guard Ethan Piper.
But the group was far from dominant last season as Nebraska averaged only 18.0 points per game.
There’s work to be done.
“I think the consistency’s getting better,” Rhule said following Saturday’s scrimmage in which the offense thrived. “I think the way our defense challenges us is really, really good. I think the offensive staff has really culled back (the playbook) and is like, ‘OK, this is what we’re going to do.’
“On offense, that’s how our team will go, right? Can we protect the passer? Can we have core runs to stay consistent? I’ve seen us make a lot of big plays. The question is: Can we be consistent? We’ll make the big plays if we’re consistent.”
Working against the notion of consistency is the fact transfer guard Micah Mazzccua (21 career starts) missed practices last week because of doctors’ orders, Rhule said.
Meantime, right tackle Bryce Benhart (41) is in the same boat as Scott in that he gets the benefit of being held out of scrimmages as a nod to his wealth of experience.
Junior strongman Henry Lutovsky (four starts) works at both guard and tackle while classmate Teddy Prochazka (11) strives to develop the consistency so desperately needed at left tackle. The versatile senior Turner Corcoran (31) is slowed by injury right now.
Bottom line, Donovan Raiola has plenty of material with which to work — and plenty of motivation to make it work.
I mean, family’s everything, right?
Emmett Johnson shows explosiveness
Because they’re currently limited in practice in the wake of injuries sustained last season, veteran running backs Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson won’t fully get to cut loose in practice until August.
Which means sophomore Emmett Johnson sees a lot of action with the first string — and apparently takes advantage of it.
“Emmett is just so consistent — had a big, explosive run,” Rhule said of Saturday’s scrimmage. “That’s what I love about Emmett, man, is he can protect, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, he can run the football between the tackles, and he can take the ball outside.
“He just can do it all.”
The 5-11, 190-pound Johnson, a Minneapolis native, rushed 90 times for 411 yards (4.6 ypc) and two touchdowns last season after being pressed into duty because of the injuries. He was good, but Nebraska needs a back to go to a higher level.
In the receiver room, keep an eye on sophomore Janiran Bonner, who was listed as a fullback last season but is now back at receiver — the position at which he was recruited. He hasn’t drawn much mention from coaches this spring, but that may soon change, I’m told. He’s 6-2 and 220 pounds with big hands — a good fit for the Big Ten, especially as the days turn frigid.
I’m also told to believe the buzz we’ve heard this spring about true freshman Jacory Barney and redshirt freshman Demitrius Bell. They’re likely going to be significant factors at wideout.
Yes, Spring Game week is upon us. Get ready to learn even more.
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