Nebraska football finished nonconference play undefeated, and coach Matt Rhule believes its competition has helped prepare them for Big Ten play.
The Huskers beat North Dakota 34-7 on Saturday, holding the Fighting Hawks to just 99 yards rushing while seeing new schemes, personnel and another athletic quarterback.
“I think all of those things have helped our football team just be more sound, more technical, more assignment-driven,” Rhule said on Monday. “It’s not like just hey, they line up, and they run a couple plays. I think when you get in the Big Ten, a lot of the Big Ten, not all of it, but a lot of it is less some of that schematic and more just sort of like, ‘Hey, we’re going to try to bully you, we’re going to run right down your throat.’”
Nebraska will experience that rush attack for the first time in conference play this weekend, and they’ll do so without junior tight end Carter Nelson. Rhule announced he suffered a knee injury against North Dakota, though it wasn’t a torn ACL.
The Huskers will travel to East Lansing, Mich., to take on Michigan State on Saturday. The Spartans head into the Big Ten opener at 2-1, with the lone loss coming to No. 3 Notre Dame this past weekend.
“They have an excellent team,” Rhule said. “They’re very balanced, they don’t beat themselves, they’re the lowest in the league in penalties, they don’t turn the ball over, they run the football.”
Fifth-year running back Cam Edwards leads the Michigan State offense. The tailback has 288 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on the season.
“Cam Edwards is a great back,” Rhule said.
Defensively, senior linebacker Jordan Hall and fifth-year edge Kenny Soares Jr. anchor the Spartans. Soares is in his first season with Michigan State and has recorded six total tackles and a sack.
Rhule had high praise for Soares.
“There’re a lot of guys who can push the pocket,” Rhule said. “Soares can go speed to power, but he also has a quick inside move, he can dip the edge … He’s a factor in the run game as well. Analytics grades have all been run to him; he’s very, very strong. He’s an excellent player.”
As for Nebraska’s offense, Rhule said he’s expecting it to be a physical game with Spartan defensive coordinator Joe Rossi bringing press and man coverage.
“We have good wideouts, they’re going to have to win versus those things,” Rhule said. “Their front plays really, really hard. Going back to No 5, Jordan Hall, I think he’s as good of a player as there is in the Big Ten.”
One area Rhule said he hopes to see Nebraska improve in is special teams. Through three games, opponents have accepted 20 penalties against Nebraska, with six of them coming on special teams.
“We’ve had too many penalties on special teams,” Rhule said. “Some I thought were good calls, some I didn’t think they were, but it doesn’t really matter what you think. They’re going to call what they call, so we have to continue to be cleaner and be ready to go this Saturday versus a good unit.”
The Huskers will prepare for their first road test this week, with hopes of starting conference play on a high note.
“Our guys have to be ready to go, have to have our best week and get out there and just play,” Rhule said.
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 4 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and the Huskers Radio Network.
