
Memorial Stadium was quiet on Saturday. So was the Nebraska football facility, where for the first time in six weeks, there was no gameday rush or recent film to break down.
As the Huskers rested up over their bye weekend, there was no truly insulating from the football around them. Past opponents clashed and future opponents impressed as Nebraska got healthy, preparing to turn a 5-1 start to its season into much more down the road. Let’s drop into coverage:
Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) receives a hand-off from quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
1. Ever-changing running back rotation
Heading into the season, the Nebraska coaching staff didn’t hide that they were still searching for the right mix of playing time at running back.
After all, the room had a unique mix of talent as Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. returned from season-ending injuries, Emmett Johnson looked to build on a strong freshman season and Dante Dowdell entered the fray as a transfer from Oregon.
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“I think we’re gonna play them all,” head coach Matt Rhule said before the season. “We’ll play them all.”
While Nebraska played all four running backs in its season-opening win over UTEP, that formula wasn’t what the Huskers hoped to follow for the remainder of the season.
“I personally don’t want to go through a season with four running backs; I want one or two guys that can go out there and carry the ball, pass protect and be physical,” offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said at the time.
Six games into the season, Nebraska’s running back rotation is clearer — but it’s not yet the model of consistency the Huskers may have hoped for.
There was always going to be an odd man out in the room but consider me surprised that it was Ervin who has not managed to make a major impact. After all, Ervin was explosive whenever he saw the field in years prior and ran well in his brief time as NU’s lead back in 2023.
Ervin has played just 17 snaps this season and one in the last three weeks, a 4-yard carry against Purdue where he lined up at fullback.
Meanwhile, Dowdell and both Rahmir and Emmett Johnson have had their moments as the lead back in the ever-changing rotation. When NU needs the tough yards, it often turns to Dowdell, whose 74 rushing attempts are more than double the amount of any other Husker.
But when teams clog up the interior — as Purdue did when it limited Dowdell to 2.3 yards per carry on just nine attempts — the one-track back is rotated in favor of the shifty Rahmir Johnson or the combination of power and speed that Emmett Johnson possesses.
There are different personnel groupings, plays and game situations that impact the way Nebraska utilizes its running backs. However, the situation still feels fluid, which could cause problems over the final half of the season.
Of Nebraska’s final six opponents, only Wisconsin and USC rank outside the nation’s top 20 run defenses. Consistency on the ground will be needed, especially in the next two weeks against an Indiana defense (83.8 yards per game) and Ohio State defense (86.3 yards per game) which both rank inside the top 10.
2. Pass rush success
Opponents who scout the Nebraska defense will see a unit formidable in many ways — but none more so than NU’s success at generating pressure up front.
The Huskers’ 20 total sacks on the season are among the top 10 nationally, while NU is also generating the fourth-most sacks per game against FBS opponents. And what truly makes the Husker pass rush so successful is the number of different players who can generate an impact.
Twelve different Huskers have recorded at least half a sack this season, with Ty Robinson and James Williams each notching four apiece.
ProFootballFocus grades are not a perfect way to evaluate player performance, but they do show trends over the course of multiple games. Among edge rushers, Nebraska’s Princewill Umanmielen and MJ Sherman have two of the top 20 best pass-rushing grades in the Big Ten, with Robinson and Nash Hutmacher also falling within the top 20 among interior defenders.
Lower the number of snaps needed to qualify, though, and Williams suddenly emerges as the Big Ten’s sixth-best graded edge rusher on pass-rushing plays. A true pass rush specialist, just 21 of the 107 snaps Williams has played this season were running plays.
3. Recruiting update
With no game this weekend and no practice from Friday to Sunday, several members of the Nebraska coaching staff spent part of their bye week on the recruiting trail.
Rhule and linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek made a notable recruiting visit on Thursday to see Overland Park (Kansas) Blue Valley linebacker Dawson Merritt, an Alabama commit who has long been one of NU’s top 2025 recruiting targets.
The Huskers built plenty of momentum with Merritt over the summer only for the four-star prospect to choose Alabama in late June, seemingly ending his recruitment process. However, Merritt still took a gameday visit to Lincoln for Nebraska’s win over Colorado — and the Husker coaching staff doesn’t appear ready to close the book either.
Rhule also saw another future recruiting target at the game in 2028 Blue Valley wide receiver Baron Marshall. Currently a freshman, Marshall was among Nebraska’s visitors for the Rutgers game and earned a scholarship offer from the Huskers afterward.
With Rhule and Dvoracek in Kansas City, director of player personnel Keith Williams was also recruiting within Missouri over the weekend, on the other end of the state in St. Louis.
4. Penalty problems
Over the next six games, a key goal for Nebraska will be to commit fewer penalties. The Huskers have been whistled for the second-most penalties in the Big Ten, with the only team to commit more, Washington, having played seven games already this season.
The company Nebraska is keeping shows how damaging the extra penalties can be. Of the six Big Ten teams committing seven or more penalties per game, only two — Nebraska and Washington — have winning records.
The remaining four teams — UCLA, Purdue, Maryland and Michigan State — have a combined record of 1-12 in Big Ten play, with that lone win coming from Michigan State over Maryland.
5. Opponent watch
It was a wild weekend of football across the Big Ten Conference, including a game where a Purdue team Nebraska had easily handled two weeks prior nearly came back from a 24-point deficit in an eventual 50-49 overtime loss to Illinois.
Wisconsin dominated Rutgers for a blowout win and Iowa even put together a 40-point performance of its own in a win over Washington.
The biggest matchup of note for Nebraska, however, was the top-5 clash between Oregon and Ohio State which came down to the game’s final play. Oregon held on for the one-point win, sending an Ohio State team into its bye week with plenty of time to prepare for the Huskers.
Then there was USC, which also suffered a ranked loss to a key Big Ten contender Penn State. Head coach Lincoln Riley has now lost at least three games in each of his seasons with the Trojans — and with a 3-3 record at the moment, pressure is mounting on Riley to deliver a strong finish to USC’s season.
Photos: Nebraska football hosts Rutgers on Homecoming in Lincoln — Sept. 5

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks to pass the ball in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai (bottom) is tackled by Nebraska’s John Bullock (5) and Marques Buford (3) in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s John Bullock (5) prepares to tackle Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai (5) as he runs the ball in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) and Malcolm Hartzog (7) try to prevnent Rutgers’ Ben Black (2) from scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) punts the ball out of the Noth endzone in the fourth quarter against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska players huddle up the North endzone in the fourth quarter against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers’ Kyonte Hamilton (48) sacks Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano (center) argues a targeting call on one of his players in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

A pass intended for Rutgers’ Ben Black (2) bumps off his helmet as he attempts to score in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule argues a call with an referee in the quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule argues a call with an referee in the quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers’ Eric Rogers (0) and Flip Dixon (10) try to bring down Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) as he runs the ball in the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen (center) watches Nebraska take on Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2), Ceyair Wright (15), DeShon Singleton (8) and MJ Sherman (48) celebrate a defensive stop against Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Head Coach Matt Rhule reacts to a penalty on Nebraska during the third quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule reacts to a penalty during the game against Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Javin Wright (33) watches the offense play from the sideline during the third quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Javin Wright (33) watches the offense play from the sideline during the third quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Javin Wright (33) looks on during the game against Rutgers on Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Javin Wright (33) tackles Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai on Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Vincent Shavers (1) forces Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) to fumble the ball on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (left) makes a pass in the first quarter while teammate Bryce Benhart (54) blocks Rutgers’ Kyonte Hamilton (48) on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) receives a hand-off from quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson (center) is tackled by Rutgers’ Joe Lusardi (37), Davoun Fuse (19), and Kaj Sanders (5) in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) reacts toward fans in the strands after the Huskers win over Rutgers 14-7 on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) is sacked by Rutgers’ Abram Wright (11) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) celebrates with teammates on the sideline in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) celebrates with Luke Lindenmeyer (44) after completing a pass in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Rutgers’ Flip Dixon (10) rushes after Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) as he catches a pass from Brian Buschini (not pictured) on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) throws a pass on a fake punt against Rutgers on Saturday. The play resulted in a 30-yard gain to Jaylen Lloyd.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during first quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nerbaska’s Brian Buschini (13) reacts after absorbing a hit by Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (right) tosses the ball to Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) during the first quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) walks onto the field during the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) lays on the ground after being hit on a blocked punt by Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Nebraska celebrates an interception by Marques Buford (center) during the second quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska’s John Bullock (right) tackles Rutgers’ Kenny Fletcher (12) during the second quarter of the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (right) passes the ball while pressured by Rutgers’ John Stone (71) during the first quarter of the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska celebrates a touchdown by Dante Dowdell (center) during first quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner takes off on his second-quarter touchdown run against Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Marques Buford picks up an interception against Rutgers in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Rutgers’ Kyle Monanga escapes tackles andi runs past Nebraska defenders in the second quarter Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson runs with the ball against Rutgers in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Flag was initially drawn but later withdrew as Rutgers’ Shaquan Loyal defends against Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor in the second quarter, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford (right) defends against Rutgers’ Chris Long in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell scores against Rutgers in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Ceyair Wright (left) and Malcolm Hartzog (right) Rutgers’ Timmy Ward in a fake field goal attempt in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ceyair Wright (left) and Malcolm Hartzog (right) Rutgers’ Timmy Ward in a fake field goal attempt in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) is checked on by medical staff after being hit in the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner (16) tumbles into the endzone for a touchdown after being pushed by Rutgers’ Shaquan Loyal (6) in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska fans celebrate after the first touchdown against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Justin Evans (left) and Alex Bullock (right) celebrate a touchdown by teammate Janiran Bonner in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) celebrates with his teammates after a sack in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) is sacked by Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) celebrates after stopping Rutgers and forcing them to punt in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) attempts to hurdle Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) as he is tackled mid air in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Ben Orozco (right) pours shots onto a Husker themed shot-ski board for Ashley Garrard (from left), Sarah Maher, Ally Garrard and Miguel Pagcaliwagan as they tailgate before the Nebraska game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Nebraska fans tailgate before the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Jeff Wylie of Omaha grills bratwursts while tailgating before the Nebraska game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL Journal Star

Ashley Garrard (from left), Sarah Maher, Ally Garrard and Miguel Pagcaliwagan take shots from a Husker themed shot-ski board as they tailgate before the Nebraska game on Saturday outside of Memorial Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star

Austin Freiberg (from left) from Sergeant Bluff, IA, sits in the bed of a truck while tailgating outside of at Memorial Stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Austin Freiberg sits in the bed of a truck (from left) while his father Dwight grills, from Sergeant Bluff, IA, tailgate outside of at Memorial Stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Teddy Prochazka (65) high fives fans as he makes his way inside the stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Ben Scott (66) walks into the stadium during the Legacy Walk before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) makes his way through the crowd during the Legacy Walk before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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UNL freshman mechanical engineering major Orion Ulmer waits to get into the stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

UNL freshman mechanical engineering major Orion Ulmer (left) and senior construction management major Broc Homeyer wait alongside other students to get inside the stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Carter Hergot, 12 (from left) Preston Scott, 12, and Heywood Johnson, 13, hang out in the south stadium before the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Bailey Jennett of Lincoln, 16, hands out red balloons ahead of the Rutgers game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
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