Tommi Hill still a game-time decision for Nebraska-Indiana

So said Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on Thursday as the Huskers prepare to depart for a Saturday midday tilt at No. 16 Indiana. More good players mean more choices for which 74 make the trip.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players that maybe they’re in their redshirt years but this is a game maybe we need them to step up and play in,” Rhule said. “There were hard decisions this week.”

Some decisions will go all the way until kickoff, including cornerback Tommi Hill who continues to work back from a painful plantar fascia injury. The senior starter has participated in practices the last two weeks but also was a game-time decision against Purdue and Rutgers before sitting out.

“I think Tommi looks good,” Rhule said. “He’s looked good, though, for a couple weeks and hasn’t been able to go so we’ll see.”

Kicker Tristan Alvano remains out, Rhule said, meaning field-goal and extra-point duties will again fall to redshirt freshman John Hohl. The extra downtime was helpful for others including senior defensive lineman Jimari Butler, who is “significantly” healthier this week.

The bye week also proved helpful for left tackle Gunnar Gottula, the redshirt freshman pressed into duty three games ago following an injury to Turner Corcoran. Rhule said handling different types of rushes has been a point of emphasis for the Lincoln Southeast grad.

Rhule again had praise for Indiana’s operation, from the pressure generated by defensive linemen Mikail Kamara and James Carpenter to senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke. NU will lean more on defensive coordinator Tony White and his experience scheming against Rourke from when the coach was at Syracuse and the QB played for Ohio.

White’s team won the 2021 matchup 29-9. Rourke completed 21 of 28 passes for 142 yards and an interception that day while his offense converted 5 of 12 third downs.

“He’s an excellent player in a great system,” Rhule said. “The biggest thing is they have a lot of weapons around him. They have a really good O-line, they have an excellent tight end, they have two great backs, they have about five receivers who can make plays. They just have a good system. They know who they are, they know what they do and he’s flourishing in it.”