Injuries skewing in Nebraska’s favor in run-up to kickoff with Rutgers

The only two Huskers on the Big Ten-mandated availability report have long been known in kicker Tristan Alvano and left tackle Turner Corcoran. Meanwhile, Rutgers lists a combined 11 players including a slew of new revelations of starters either out or game-time decisions.

Out for the season is senior Bryan Felter, who has started at left guard for the Scarlet Knights in their first four games. His absence means a different offensive line combination for the first time all fall for a running attack that ranks inside the top 30 nationally in yards per carry (5.43). Likely to fill in is Dantae Chin, a 6-foot-4, 317-pound junior set to make his first college start.

Rutgers also has two starters in the secondary — cornerback Robert Longerbeam and safety Flip Dixon — who will go through warmups to test whether they can go. Both are among the defense’s top nine tacklers with a combined four pass breakups.

Starting receivers Ian Strong and Chris Long are listed as questionable too, meaning the visitors could be without their Nos. 3 and 4 leading receivers behind Kenny Fletcher and Dymere Miller. Fletcher and Miller have combined this year for 31 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns — potential injuries to the position mean everyone else available may have a total of 10 grabs for 116 yards and two scores.

Nebraska starting cornerback Tommi Hill (plantar fascia) is a game-time decision in what will come down to pain tolerance for the senior.

* Temperatures may reach 95 degrees when toe touches the ball, with winds gusting in excess of 30 mph. Field-goal confidence for Nebraska had already been shaken after a miss and two low snaps that led to blocks last week.

“How it looks in the game, I don’t know,” NU coach Matt Rhule said Thursday of kicker John Hohl and the unit. “I just believe in him and I believe at some point it’s all going to come together. I sure hope it’s this Saturday.”

* Red balloons are back for homecoming. Students were holding them more than two hours before kickoff. The balloons last made an appearance for the Colorado game last month and will be released after Nebraska’s first score, as is longtime tradition.

* White goal-post pads honoring Dr. Pat Clare are in both end zones. Clare — a former Husker player from 1958-61 — died Sept. 30 after more than 40 years serving as a physician for the athletic department. The pads show No. 44 in recognition of the jersey number of the former halfback from Sioux City.

* Rutgers is the only current Big Ten team to never beat the Huskers. Nebraska is 6-0 against the New Jersey program, including 5-0 as fellow league members. The teams first met in November 1920 when NU prevailed 28-0.