Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) holds off Northwestern’s A. J. Hampton Jr.. (11) on a 64-yard run in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Full Scott Frost press conference after Northwestern vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, October 02, 2021. The Huskers won the game 56-7.
The Nebraska coaching staff has been waiting a long time for Jaquez Yant’s breakout moment.
After the walk-on running back earned himself a scholarship prior to the season, Held said in early August that “he’s a guy that’s got a bright future, (we’ve) just got to stay on him to be consistent.” Held’s outlook hadn’t changed much by Thursday when he said that Yant had “put himself in position to have a role moving forward,” despite still battling consistency issues.
Well, how does 5 yards or more on each of his first-half carries sound for consistency?
Yant accomplished that and more in his 127-yard outing against Northwestern the 56-7 NU victory, a performance that leaves the freshman running back as a budding offensive star.
“It was worth the wait,” said Yant. “I got the opportunity, I took the chance and went and balled out.”
The Huskers have tried out several different tailbacks this season, with Rahmir Johnson (43 carries), Gabe Ervin (37 carries), Markese Stepp (31 carries), Sevion Morrison (21 carries) and Marvin Scott (six carries) all having touched the ball more than Yant entering the game. A five-carry, 25-yard outing against Fordham was the freshman’s only previous game action this season.
The reason for Yant’s lack of involvement, as coach Scott Frost revealed after the game, was because he “showed up 25 pounds overweight to fall camp.” Getting the running back down to healthy playing weight was the primary goal for Nebraska’s coaching staff, with playing time only coming as a bonus afterward.
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