Gunnar Gottula solid in surprise debut at Nebraska

Gunnar Gottula — who saw 57 offensive snaps Friday at left tackle after Turner Corcoran left with a hamstring injury — impressed coaches and teammates enough in surprise duty that NU could again roll with the 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt freshman from Lincoln Southeast.

“I thought he did well,” said Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, adding that the offense ran its normal plays without limitations. “That’s a big spot to get put in.”

“Very confident with what Gunnar’s doing,” quarterback Dylan Raiola said. “He’s been playing college football for a little while now so there’s no worries there.”

Nebraska is down its top two left tackles after Teddy Prochazka tore his ACL before the season and Corcoran went down early against Illinois. The Huskers could also shift to the left end Tyler Knaak or Micah Mazzccua, who started the first two games at right guard before missing Northern Iowa because of a coach’s decision and only seeing time on special teams against Illinois.

Henry Lutovsky, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound junior, is another potential option after starting the last two games at right guard.

“We’re going to make sure that we get the best five guys out there,” Satterfield said.

Gottula said his dad, Ryan Gottula — Lincoln Southeast’s head football coach — was able to attend Friday’s game. He credited older players like Prochazka and Corcoran for continuing to pour into him even while injured. The second-year lineman has mostly focused on left tackle while at Nebraska but has also worked some at right tackle and guard.

“I’m just ready to step in again at left tackle,” Gottula said. “Wherever the coaches need me or see me fit.”