Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell runs with the ball as James Williams pursues during the spring game in April at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Two days before the Nebraska football team’s season opener, head coach Matt Rhule still isn’t sure how the team’s running back rotation will play out.
Four players — Gabe Ervin Jr., Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson and Dante Dowdell — were listed as co-starters on Nebraska’s first depth chart, and all of them will see the field on Saturday according to Rhule.
“I’m going to want all four guys to play in the first half — I don’t think it’s fair to ask them to come in for the second half — so I’m going to ask all four guys to play,” he said. “It really depends on where we start with the football.”
According to Rhule, Nebraska’s rotations at the position will depend upon the situation of the game and the specific play calls.
With hot temperatures expected on the day, the Huskers expect to cycle through the four backs early and often. The team’s ability to substitute will also be helped by huddling up after each play rather than running the up-tempo offense Nebraska’s opponents, UTEP, will display.
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That means Nebraska can play to the strengths of each individual running back with Rahmir and Emmett Johnson set to feature heavily on third downs.
“Rahmir has to be treated as a receiver in my mind because of his ability to run routes,” Rhule said.
As for Ervin and Dowdell, the powerful runners will likely feature on early downs and short-yardage situations.
“If you get to third-and-1, third-and-2, maybe it’s more the bigger backs,” Rhule said. “When you’ve got two 220-pound backs who run behind their pads, you’ll go with them.”
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