Matt Rhule’s Nebraska rebuild just took another giant step back. Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers beat down the Cornhuskers 56-7 in Bloomington. What do the Huskers need to fix after their loss to Indiana?
What Do The Huskers Need To Fix?
A Change At Running Back?
When it mattered the most, Nebraska couldn’t find a way to establish the run game against the Hoosiers. Sophomore Dante Dowdell only had 17 yards on just six carries. The Cornhuskers tried to jumpstart their rushing attack with other options. However, this had no effect. On Emmett Johnson’s eight carries, the Minnesota native had 24 yards. The only bright spot in Bloomington was backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg. The 225-pounder from Kearney provided the Huskers with 32 yards on the ground. But the spark would quickly fade. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield didn’t give him much of a chance to operate against IU’s defense. Is he trying to keep Haarberg healthy if Dylan Raiola suddenly goes down at quarterback? Or is Rhule sticking with the players that have made the most impact so far? It has been a good strategy against non-ranked opponents. But against top competition, NU can’t run the ball. This means that Haarberg has to be Satterfield’s next option in the run game.
Read more about Heinrich Haarberg’s ability as a runner in Nebraska Over Louisiana Tech
Raiola’s Load Management
Nebraska’s freshman quarterback is a generational talent. Through seven games, the former five-star prospect has thrown for 1,592 yards and six touchdowns. But Raiola has also experienced a lot of growing pains. Interceptions have plagued him against Illinois, Northern Iowa, and Rutgers. Granted, those didn’t lose him those games. But against Indiana, his two interceptions and a near pick-six managed to dig NU’s offense into holes that they couldn’t escape from. This allowed IU senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke to have a near-perfect game. He managed to complete 17 out of his 21 passes in Memorial Stadium. And he was also able to connect with his wide receivers. Senior Myles Pryce gave the Hoosiers a 14-0 lead before he exited the contest. But this wouldn’t stop Indiana’s passing attack. Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson connected with James Madison transfer Elijah Sarratt on a 17-yard score. At this point in the season, Raiola doesn’t need to be benched. He just needs to take some series off. Fellow freshman quarterback Daniel Kaelin could get some time in the pocket, and senior Jalyn Gramstead should get attention as a senior. These players could help ease the pressure that Raiola faces while allowing him to watch the offense function through a different lens.
Does Barney Have A New Role?
True freshman Jacory Barney Jr is a special athlete with the ball in his hands. In just seven games, the Florida native has racked up 181 yards and three touchdowns on just 27 carries. Coming into the matchup, it seemed that Indiana’s defense would key in on Nebraska’s misdirection. For the most part, IU succeeded on defense. The Hoosiers sacked Raiola twice and had seven tackles for loss. But they didn’t stop Barney. Early in the second half, he was able to get into the endzone on a seven-yard touchdown run. The Huskers should find a way to incorporate him into the game plan next week against Ohio State. In the Huskers’ loss to Indiana, wide receivers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor couldn’t create separation against the Hoosiers secondary. This led junior tight end Thomas Fidone to have a career day. Does he get the targets or will Barney’s explosiveness kickstart the offense in Columbus?
Can The Defense Rebound?
Tony White has been a solid defensive coordinator for Nebraska. But this has only been the case against weaker competition. Ranked opponents tell a different story. Against Illinois, quarterback Luke Altmyer torched the Blackshirts with 215 passing yards and four touchdown passes. In the Huskers loss to Indiana, White’s defense surrendered 495 yards of total offense. The Cornhuskers also gave up their first rushing touchdown of the season when senior running back Justice Ellison marched in on a 5-yard score. Do the Huskers have the ability to rebound against Ohio State? Or will quarterback Will Howard and the rest of the Buckeyes offense have a field day against NU?
