Matt Rhule’s comment was light-hearted, with an element of intent. “It’s OK to say something positive,” he told media during his Monday news conference.
The comment came on the heels of questions related to issues needing correction.
So let’s begin with some positives as Nebraska prepares for its first true road game against Maryland in College Park Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT.
The Blackshirts lead the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per game, 91.8, well ahead of second-place Oklahoma at 118.4. “We’re a pretty good pass defense,” Rhule said, understating.
Nebraska also leads the nation in pass efficiency defense, with an 80.55 rating, ranks fourth in third-down defense, 11th in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense.
Individually, defensive back DeShon Singleton was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and the East-West Shrine Bowl’s “Breakout Defensive Player of the Week,” after intercepting two passes and making six tackles against Michigan State. And Williams Nwaneri, Cameron Lenhardt, Elijah Jeudy and Javin Wright had sacks, Nwaneri 1.5, Wright 0.5, Lenhardt and Jeudy one each.
Jeudy accented his with a Spiderman pose. The sack will be “the first of many,” he said Tuesday.
Offensively, the Huskers are second in the nation in pass-completion percentage (76.1%), eighth in passing offense (320.2 yards per game) and 11th in both scoring offense (42.4 points per game) and fewest turnovers lost (three).
Dylan Raiola now ranks sixth nationally and third in the Big Ten in completion percentage (74.2%), while Emmett Johnson ranks 15th nationally and third in the Big Ten, averaging 94.8 rushing yards per game. His 116.8 yards from scrimmage per game rank 17th nationally.
Johnson’s eight touchdowns rank eighth nationally.
Five games into his sophomore season, Raiola ranks ninth on Nebraska’s career passing yardage list.
Numbers can be misleading, of course. Nebraska had only 261 yards of offense against Michigan State, including a net of 67 rushing. However, the rushing total included 35 yards lost on five sacks, plus the Huskers ran only 55 plays from scrimmage. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said he was “actually excited with where we are in the run game.”
In addition, though not a statistic, it should be noted that true freshman linebacker Dawson Merritt and redshirt freshmen safety Rex Guthrie and Jack linebacker Nwaneri, a transfer, started against Michigan State. It was Nwaneri’s second-consecutive start, Guthrie and Merritt’s first, evidence the Huskers’ young players are having an impact.
There were more positives in breaking down Nebraska’s Michigan State victory, coming off the Michigan loss, but let’s note some things about Maryland, which is coming off its first loss to Washington. The Terrapins had a fourth-quarter breakdown, the opposite of Nebraska, though it did allow a Michigan State touchdown drive, capped with 2:01 remaining.
Ceyair Wright, who switched from cornerback to Nickel, showing his verstatility, was upset with the touchdown and made it known. “It’s about dominating even if you start pulling away,” he said Tuesday.
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington is a true freshman, representing “one of our biggest challenges to this point,” defensive coordinator John Butler said Tuesday.
“He seems like a pretty athletic quarterback,” said Nwaneri.
The 6-foot-5, 231-pound Washington is 110-of-183 passing for 1,257 yards and nine touchdowns, with two interceptions. Five of the touchdown passes have gone to Shaleak Knotts, who averages 16.9 yards per reception. Octavian Smith Jr. averages 17.1 yards per catch.
Butler acknowledged both wide receivers, noting Maryland has a “balanced offense.”
Saturday’s game will be “technique versus technique,” offensive guard Henry Lutovsky said.
Nebraska’s offense will be challenged by a Maryland defense that leads the Big Ten in sacks, with 19, and interceptions, with nine. The 19 sacks are tied for fourth nationally. Freshman defensive linemen Zahir Mathis (jersey No. 9) and Sidney Stewart (No. 29) lead the pass rush, according to Holgorsen.
Now let’s finish on a positive note. The game will be about “having a healthy respect for them,” said Wright, “but focusing on ourselves.”
As it should always be with the Huskers under Rhule and staff.
