Satt and The Call

A third-and-goal play may have derailed Nebraska's bowl hopes

Husker fans are still buzzing over what many consider a terrible call late in last Saturday's game with Maryland.

Because of that play and the continued ineffective play by the Husker QBs, there also have been calls for the dismissal of first-year Husker offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield.

I've already opined on the RPO play Rhule/Satterfield called on third and goal with about three minutes to go in the game. The score was tied at 10. Instead of playing it safe with a run, Husker third-string QB Chubba Purdy was given a run/pass option.

Maybe Rhule and/or Satterfield should have told Purdy before the play, "Don't pass the ball unless all eleven Maryland defenders fall to the ground."

Purdy, playing valiantly on his only drive of the game, took the Huskers downfield to the Maryland four yard line. NU was in a great position to get either a TD to go up 17-10 or a field goal putting NU up 13-10.

Had the Huskers scored, NU could have put the game in the hands of the Blackshirts who had allowed up until then just 10 points. The odds looked good that NU was going to get its sixth win of the season.

Husker Pride Worldwide was going to be dancing in the streets. NU was finally going to play in a bowl game! Hallelujah!

Instead, Rhule/Satterfield dialed up an RPO. Considering how Purdy hadn't played much all year, allowing him to pass in that situation was a real head scratcher. Why not call nothing but runs? Chew up the clock. And if the third-down run had been stopped, Rhule could have brought in freshman placekicker Tristan Alvano for the "sure" three points and a probable Husker win.

Tragically for NU, Purdy's pass was intercepted. Game over. You could feel the wind being taken out of Memorial Stadium. Maryland, to its credit, drove downfield and set itself up for a walk-off chip-shot field goal.

So should Satterfield be fired for that call and for the inept play of his QB room this year? Should Matt Rhule hire a new QB coach?

First of all, college football has a limit of 10 assistants. Rhule just can't hire a QB coach without getting rid of one of his existing coaches. So which of his assistants does he appoint as his part time QB coach?

As for Coach Satterfield's future at Nebraska, he's not going anywhere. If he were dismissed, NU would be on its third OC in three years. Not gonna happen.

In the case of the Husker quarterbacks, collectively they are responsible for 22 of the nation's leading 27 turnovers committed by NU so far this season.

It could also be said that had Casey Thompson and Logan Smothers not transferred out of Nebraska in the offseason, the Huskers would be in much better shape this season.

Maybe so. But former Husker starting QB Thompson is out for the season at Florida Atlantic. Meanwhile, through 10 games,  Smothers, who is now with Jacksonville State, has gone 60/107 for 655 yards at a 56.1% completion rate. He has thrown 6 TDs and 3 INTs. He's also rushed 73 times for 274 yards and another 6 TDs.

In the offseason, Jeff Sims transferred to NU from Georgia Tech. He was going to be the next QB star at Nebraska. To his credit, he's probably the best athlete in the QB room, but it appears now that his confidence is shot. His future doesn't look good at Nebraska. Don't be surprised if Sims leaves after this season: Purdy may opt out, too.

Next year is going to be a rebuilding year for the Husker QB room. Can Rhule get a good QB to transfer to Nebraska?

Some would say, why would any experienced QB worth his salt want to come to a team like Nebraska?

My question is: what good QB wouldn't want to play for a team like Nebraska? Look at what Husker defensive coordinator Tony White has done with the Blackshirts. The next quarterback could have a great year at Nebraska in 2024.

Danny Kaelin from Bellevue West is joining the Huskers in January. But how quickly can he develop as a Big Ten QB? It seems likely Rhule will try to get somebody via the portal to be the guy next year.

BTW, NU doesn't need a superstar to run the Husker offense. A QB like former Husker Joe Ganz could be incredibly successful. When Joe played for Nebraska, he would usually find a way to win. He seldom beat himself or his team.

The big question is, can NU fix the quarterback problem in the offseason?

I wouldn't Rhule it out.