No-frills format for Nebraska football spring game

The statement might seem obvious, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said Thursday, but it’s not a given for spring debuts in the modern era. He’s tried an offense-versus-defense format that was hard to follow and score. He’s seen other programs mostly go through drills and workouts.

“The goal is to play a game,” Rhule said. “…I like to know who’s winning.”

One team will feature the 1s and 3s while the other will consist mostly of 2s, Rhule said. Quarterbacks — wearing green no-contact jerseys — will rotate through every unit. The top offensive line will don gray shirts and do the same. Special teams won’t be fully live, with kickoffs ending with “thuds” instead of tackles while punts and catches will do the same.

The 1s will give way to the 3s as the game goes on while the 2s should play throughout.

Depth at receiver is the only tricky variable, Rhule said, with multiple wideouts — like sophomore Malachi Coleman — still returning to full health. Overall, he expects to see steady execution and lots of competition.

“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 then you start fumbling the ball around. I don’t care if you’re a 2, 3, whatever — the standard better be high. If it’s ugly, then we didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish this spring.”

Veteran players will again be limited as they have been in previous scrimmages this spring, Rhule said, though all will likely see “at least a play.” Those Huskers include — to varying degrees — defensive linemen Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher, defensive backs Isaac Gifford, Tommi Hill and Marques Buford, offensive linemen Bryce Benhart and Ben Scott and receiver Jahmal Banks.

Just as Rhule wants to see how the team blocks, tackles and rushes the passer, the coach is equally curious to see how players respond to performing in front of a Memorial Stadium crowd that should exceed 50,000. If Nebraska in the midweek bounced back well from a bad play, its reaction on Saturdays “wasn’t elite.”

This Saturday will provide another valuable gauge on that growth curve unlike any NU has had this spring.

“This will be way different,” Rhule said. “And it will be good for our guys.”

Said senior defensive lineman Ty Robinson: “To play in front of 90,000 fans, as fun as it is, it can be challenging because you can get lost in the amazement and the awe. Those younger guys learning how to be in the moment (is good).”