Can the Huskers Run for the Money This Fall?

Matt Rhule first must reconstruct a struggling running game.

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, the Cornhuskers were among the nation's worst teams running the football. According to cfbstats.com, the Huskers finished '22 rated #100 out of 130 college football teams. NU had a dismal 1,480 total yards rushing with an average of 3.52 per attempt and 123.33 rushing yards per game.

Not since 2017 has Nebraska finished with a worse ranking. That's when Mike Riley's last Husker team finished #120 with 1,290 total rushing yards, 3.51 per attempt and an average of 107.50 yards per game.

So how does Husker head coach Matt Rule plan to turn around such an anemic rushing game?

That's a great question. Usually, a new head coach will get rid of underperformers and via the portal, construct a brand new running back room.

But that's not what Matt Rhule did in the off-season. He has stuck with most of the same guys who were on last year's roster.

Rhule must see tremendous potential in his existing running backs. For the sake of the Husker football program, I sure hope he's right.

Players Returning:

1.) Gabe Ervin, Jr. 6-0, 215 RSSO (94 yards in '22) Buford, GA

2.) Anthony Grant 5-11, 200 RSSR (915) Buford, GA

3.) Rahmir Johnson 5-10, 185 (RSJR) (85) (Oradell, NJ)

4.) Emmett Johnson 5-11, 190 (RSFR) (Was on special teams last year) Minneapolis, MN

5.) Trevor Ruth 6-0, 230 (RSFR) Seward, NE

6.) Trevin Luben 5-11, 195 (SO) Wahoo, NE

Note: In his senior year in high school, Emmett Johnson was voted Mr. Football for the state of Minnesota. That year, he rushed for over 2,500 yards and scored 42 TDs.

Of last year's 1,480 total rushing yards, Nebraska returns players who were responsible for 1,094 of those yards.

Gone from last year's roster:

1.) Ajay Allen (190 yards) Transferred to Miami Hurricanes

2.) Jaquez Yant (58) Transferred to Florida A&M

Nebraska lost 248 yards off last year's rushing total.

Newcomers:

1.) ***Kwinten Ives 6-2, 185) (FR) from Palmyra, NJ.

During his final two years in high school, he rushed for over 3,000 yards, scored 49 TDs and averaged over 10 yards per carry.

2.) Gage Wager 5-10, 185 Arlington, TX. Walk-on son of Husker TE coach, Bob Wager.

To be a winning program this fall, Matt Rhule is going to have to find a way to dramatically increase the rushing numbers. Last year, Michigan ranked 5th in the nation in rushing with a total of 3,345, 5.58 and 238.93 yards per game.

In my opinion, the Huskers are going to need to average at least 200 rushing yards. How Rhule gets there with the players he has is going to be key to a winning record in '23.

Needless to say, the Husker O-line is going to need to elevate its game, too.

How 'Bout Them Huskers

This week, Will and I talk about some football players who have yet to commit for the Class of '24. We also discuss the current state of the Husker Running Back Room.