Nebraska football seeks offensive ‘shootout’ in Spring Game

Whereas Nebraska returns a veteran-heavy defensive roster from a successful 2023 campaign, the inverse is true on the other side of the ball.

Nebraska’s offensive struggles from last year must be corrected — and there’s a clear reason for optimism. Promising true freshmen quarterbacks Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin will throw in front of fans at Memorial Stadium for the first time on Saturday.

For as much attention as the duo will command, they can’t succeed in the fall without the help of every other offensive position group. That’s why head coach Matt Rhule said he wants to see a “Red-White shootout” that tests NU’s passing game.

“I know we’ll be able to run the ball, I want to see if we can throw the ball, I want to see if we can catch the ball and I want to see if we can engage in two-minute (drills),” Rhule said.

Whereas Nebraska had a full-contact spring scrimmage a year ago — quarterbacks included — the signal-callers will wear green no-contact jerseys on Saturday.

Not only has the athletic profile of NU’s quarterback room changed this season, but so have its overall numbers. The quarterbacks will rotate across offensive units, Rhule said, and so might Nebraska’s wide receivers.

Several Husker pass-catchers, such as Elliott Brown, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Malachi Coleman and Demitrius Bell, have been limited during spring camp. That’s meant an even bigger role in the offense for impact transfers Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks plus rising young players like Jaylen Lloyd and Jacory Barney Jr.

“We are significantly improved in that room,” Rhule said of Nebraska’s wideouts on April 16. “Guys have grown up, we’ve brought some players in and the freshmen are really good, so we’re making some big plays.”

Not everything is perfect in the wide receiver room just yet, though. Rhule said NU’s “ball skills” needed improving from a previous scrimmage, while position coach Garret McGuire identified creating separation from defenders as a key goal for the spring.

However, if its quarterbacks didn’t have time to throw from the pocket, Nebraska’s wide receivers could create all the separation in the world only for it not to matter. Particularly in pass protection, the Nebraska offensive line has continued to make strides this spring.

While the Nebraska defense tries to mix different packages and pressures to confuse opponents, a veteran first-team line has handled those challenges well according to defensive lineman Ty Robinson.

“The offensive line is only bigger, stronger and faster than they were last year,” Robinson said. “They’ve just improved and gotten better as a unit together.”

Just like last year’s scrimmage, NU’s offensive linemen are set to wear gray jerseys that will allow them to play for either team as needed. Veteran starters such as Ben Scott, Bryce Benhart and Teddy Prochazka are also likely to cede reps to the many young linemen vying for playing time.

Of its scholarship offensive linemen, Nebraska has three sophomores, four redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen who will take part in the scrimmage.

Their efforts won’t be limited to pass protection, either, even if Rhule wants to see a fast-tempo offensive game plan. Nebraska’s rushing attack accounted for the majority of its offensive success a year ago, and the Huskers will be eager to replicate a similar level of success.

According to running backs coach EJ Barthel, the spring isn’t about deciding places on the depth chart — it’s about evaluating how each individual player will help the offense succeed.

“We’re going to run NFL-style plays, an NFL-style offense,” Barthel said on Tuesday. “You come here and we’re preparing you for the NFL, we don’t shy away from that.”

Barthel’s position group looks somewhat different than it did a year ago. Returning contributors Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson have been limited this spring, allowing sophomore Emmett Johnson to continue a period of growth.

The door is now open for sophomore transfer Dante Dowdell, redshirt freshman Kwinten Ives and walk-ons such as Maurice Mazzccua and Trevon Kinchen to stake their claim for playing time.

“I want to see guys finish runs,” Barthel said of the Spring Game. “… Our running backs gotta set the tone, run with a certain violent demeanor and create explosive plays. That’s why we recruit you and that’s what we’re going to teach them and develop them to do.”

While each position group and player will have their own goals for the scrimmage, there’s one overarching goal that unites the Nebraska offense — avoiding turnovers. In last year’s Red-White game, the two teams combined to lose six fumbles.

“If I was a Husker fan, I’d just be coming hoping that the ball’s not on the ground,” Rhule said.

Considering those turnover struggles carried over to the fall, a clean day would indicate improvements in that regard.

So far this spring, the Nebraska offense has done plenty to impress. The offense was “dominant” in last Saturday’s scrimmage according to Rhule, but one good day alone won’t change a season.

In that regard, Saturday’s Spring Game simply represents another step in the Nebraska offense’s quest for wide-scale improvements,

“I’m looking for a high standard of football,” Rhule said. “It can’t be like last year where you play well for a while and start fumbling the ball around; I don’t care if you’re (second-string, third-string) or whoever, the standard better be high.”