Nebraska more creative in usage of former starters Micah Mazzccua, Heinrich Haarberg

Mazzccua lined up at left tackle, a spot he dabbled in for six snaps against Rutgers two weeks earlier. This time his total was 44 plays including that first drive against the Hoosiers when NU managed its lone scoring drive in a 56-7 loss. The senior had previously only worked at guard with the Huskers and in previous stops at Baylor and Florida.

“I’d say it was probably really challenging,” Rhule said. “I thought it was a lot of guts by him to want to go out there and play.”

The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder started at right guard against UTEP and Colorado before Henry Lutovsky took over the position. Mazzccua was limited by a coach’s decision the next week and served a suspension at Purdue.

Nebraska still lists Mazzccua as No. 2 at right guard with Gunnar Gottula the starter at left tackle on its depth chart this week.

“When Micah’s focused like he is right now he’s really talented and he can help us,” Rhule said. “So it was good to get him out there and get him in the mix.”

Another Husker of interest who has seen his playing time fluctuate is backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg. Saturday’s 10 snaps marked his third most this year — he saw 21 against UTEP and 14 against Northern Iowa — with a couple coming on punt team and lined out as a receiver.

Haarberg was a missed block from scoring a touchdown on an option run in the second quarter and finished 0-for-2 passing with five carries for 32 yards.

“It’s hard in that when he goes out there people kind of know he’s going to probably be running the football,” Rhule said. “But he can throw it. So maybe the role will increase or decrease each week.”