As Nebraska special teams show gains in areas, eliminating ‘catastrophic things’ next step

Such was the midseason assessment of the third phase from coach Matt Rhule on Monday ahead of a bye. The unit — led by Big Ten special teams player of the week Brian Buschini — pinned Rutgers multiple times Saturday. It halted a run on a fake field goal-try and converted its own fake when the punter Buschini unfurled a 30-yard pass downfield to Jaylen Lloyd.

NU also allowed two more blocked punts to bring its season total of stuffed punts or field goals to five. To have a pair of punts blocked and not lose? “Almost impossible,” Rhule said.

“I think all the guys recognize that ‘Hey, this has to improve,’” Rhule said. “But it’s also my job to show them we have to eliminate the catastrophic things.”

Rutgers got home the first time, Rhule said, when safety Isaac Gifford — a heart-and-soul leader of the team — blocked the wrong player. The second time a shield protector didn’t execute a block. Tight end Nate Boerkircher made what became a touchdown-saving tackle at the 2 to set up the defense for its goal-line stand.

Rhule repeated what he said Saturday, that he would have thrown the fake pass right away in hindsight. Rutgers didn’t come after another kick after the fourth-quarter trick play, including the rolling 69-yarder with the wind that put the visitors at their own 11-yard line down a touchdown in the final minutes.

Buschini “found a way to get it done,” Rhule said. The senior loosened his back for the fake pass by tossing balls at halftime on a secluded practice field.

“Not many people have a punter with an arm like ours does,” Rhule said. “He can ‘throw’ throw.”