Nebraska’s E.J. Barthel wants running backs to go beyond ‘good enough’

NU running backs coach E.J. Barthel means that literally. 

“We want to make some guys miss at the second level,” Barthel said. “If we can make guys miss at the second level and make some more explosive runs, we’ll some (teams) away. I think we ran the ball well as a group. The big challenge for us is to take the next step. Not just be ‘good enough,’ but now, let’s take the next step in the run game.

“Let’s really dominate. That’s what we’re looking for on Saturday, me as a coach.”

Emmett Johnson, NU’s top rusher once Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin both suffered season-ending injuries against Northern Illinois, has taken a “second step” in camp, Barthel said, echoing head coach Matt Rhule’s praise on Saturday. 

“He’s grown up fairly quickly,” Barthel said of Emmett Johnson. 

Johnson he’s been “stacking days” in spring camp and is a “step ahead” of last year with his reads. 

“We’re pushing to be great,” Emmett Johnson said. 

The Huskers’ running back room includes senior Rahmir Johnson, fourth-year junior Ervin, sophomores Emmett Johnson and Dante Dowdell, and redshirt freshman Kwinten Ives. Among walk-ons, West Chester (Pa.) University transfer Maurice Mazzccua, redshirt freshmen Kenneth Williams and Trevon Kinchen drew praise from Barthel.  

Ervin, recovering from a torn hip, is “working his tail off to get healthy” and taken a vocal leadership role in spring camp similar to a coach. Barthel said he was similarly vocal with Ervin last season. 

Rahmir Johnson seeks to “make a statement,” Barthel said, in his sixth year. 

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed about Rahmir is his mental focus and his determination,” Barthel said. 

Dowdell and Ives are on track with where Barthel expects them to be. Each has to work with “eye development” in both the run and pass game. 

Nebraska’s running back room has been in a state of flux for years, with multiple starters during each season since 2017. Emmett Johnson emerged in mid-October, rushing for 73 yards in a win over Northwestern and 76 yards in a win over Purdue. And although NU lost both games, Johnson had impressive runs, Rhule said, in fourth quarters against Maryland and Wisconsin. 

»NU offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said all three scholarship quarterbacks – Dylan Raiola, Heinrich Haarberg and Daniel Kaelin – will each get opportunities to play with various personnel in Saturday’s spring game. 

Satterfield said the coaching staff challenged Raiola to bring more energy in practice and, during last week’s scrimmage, he acted like he was in “third grade.” 

That was a good thing. Satterfield said energy is a “superpower” quarterbacks can give to their teammates, and Raiola’s “recess” persona was a plus in practice. 

Satterfield wants his quarterbacks to protect the ball as much as possible Saturday, and they’ve “improved” in that area throughout spring camp. 

»Sophomore tight end Luke Lindenmeyer is a “hidden gem” at tight end, Satterfield said, who has been catching several passes each practice. Lindenmeyer functioned as NU’s third tight end last season, typically as a blocker. 

»Emmett Johnson has been impressed two young defenders: Sophomore cornerback Blye Hill; and true freshman linebacker Vincent Shavers, who’s a “physical guy” good at “running to the ball.”