A Secret Starter at Running Back

News from Tuesday's Nebraska football practice also includes down-to-the-wire competition at a cornerback spot.

Joe Hudson | Aug 24, 2021

A Secret Starter at Running Back /

The Huskers appear to have their top guy at running back for the season opener, but they aren't saying who it is.

Offensive coordinator Matt Lubick indicated after Tuesday's practice that the field of top contenders had been narrowed to a top man ready to shoulder the bulk of the carries when Nebraska takes on Illinois in Champaign on Saturday. The most likely candidates appear to be Sevion Morrison, Markese Stepp and Gabe Ervin.

On defense, coordinator Erik Chinander wasn't ready to identify a starter at the cornerback spot opposite Cam Taylor-Britt, where Quinton Newsome and Braxton Clark are battling it out. "I know it sounds like we’re holding something back," Chinander said, "but that thing is pretty tight right now."

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Coverage

Omaha World-Herald* | One Husker running back will get most of the carries. But who will it be?
Hail Varsity | Open Positions Becoming More Clear as Nebraska Preps for Illinois
Husker247 | Tuesday Nebraska football practice quick hits
Lincoln Journal Star* | Red Report: Starting RB to stay secret; added challenge; Reimer reflects; Tuioti's six
Nebraska Athletics | Lubick Discusses Energy of Game Week
Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: 'Fluid' recruiting, depth on the lines and a steamy weather forecast
Omaha World-Herald* | Little separating Quinton Newsome, Braxton Clark for starting cornerback spot
Husker247 | Whatever wrinkles Illini have, Husker defenders know 'rules ball' matters most
Lincoln Journal Star* | The reason for newly minted NU captain Damion Daniels' ascension? 'He's full throttle every single day'
Omaha World-Herald | Nebraska is expecting a season-opening test from Illinois and its 22 super seniors

Video

Video recaps

Omaha World-Herald | Bland/Watkins
Lincoln Journal Star | Sipple/Gabriel Four Downs
Lincoln Journal Star | Sipple/Gabriel Two-Minute Drill
Hail Varsity | Sorensen/Smith
HuskerOnline | Sean Callahan

Info links

Published Aug 24, 2021

JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.