Husker Gameday Wrap: Nebraska’s offseason vision arrives at its first Big Ten checkpoint
Summary
- Matt Rhule says Nebraska has moved toward more four-down defense under Rob Aurich because it now has edge-setting personnel including Williams Nwaneri, Kade Pietrzak and Cameron Lenhardt, after relying on a 3-3-5 in 2023-24. Rhule says four-down quarters is a foundation, not Nebraska's only look. - Rhule says Nebraska has used David Höffken on some third downs for his size: he can mirror the quarterback, bat balls and let Jahsear spin. This is a situational personnel example, not a newly named every-down starter or guaranteed upcoming subpackage. - Nebraska linebacker Dawson Merritt recorded his first career sack against North Dakota, and Rhule said he is interested in seeing the second-year defender play more. Merritt's prior foot surgery is background, not a new injury; the coach did not announce a fixed snap count or rotation order. Comment: EAST LANSING, Mich.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Matt Rhule has felt good about this team since January.
When people stopped him, he'd tell them he thought this could be his best team in four years at Nebraska.
"I'm not that dumb. I can tell when they're good, right?" Rhule said. "We got a quarterback who can make plays, we got dynamic receivers, we got big-time O-linemen, we got Luke Lindenmeyer, who — if he's not one of the best tight ends in the country — I don't know who is."
Rhule pointed out that not many players can catch a seam route the way Lindenmeyer did, bounce off tackles and also block about 17 different runs.
So, yeah, Rhule has been on the record about his belief in this team all along.
"But we haven't played in the Big Ten yet," he said.
Belief in what a team can be now meets the Big Ten, which will sort out what it is.
Before the Big Ten party starts, let's empty the notebook, beginning with why experience can travel.
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Teams:
Nebraska
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