Do Run the Ball Guys take the spring off and 6 more thoughts from NU’s Red-White game
Nebraska was pass-heavy by design on Saturday, but those passes looked better than a year ago.
Nebraska ran the ball 62% of the time (4th nationally) in 2023 when you remove sacks and garbage time. It was a lot, not as effective as it seemed at the time and, I think, largely a reflection of limitations elsewhere even if we know Matt Rhule’s big plan is to pair an elite defense with a strong run game. The Huskers got the defense last season, and, well, they at least got the rushing attempts.
Did we see a preview of that in last year’s spring game?1 Sorta. The Red and White teams combined to run 125 plays in the 2023 spring game, 69 of which (55.2%) were runs.
On Saturday, with a returning half-season starter and two highly touted freshmen leading the way at quarterback, not to mention an upgraded receiver room, Nebraska ran it just 36 times over 97 plays (37.1%). It wasn’t quite the Air Raid, but if it felt that way you weren’t crazy given how the Huskers attacked in 2023.
This was the plan going into the scrimmage, and it’s a plan that makes sense. For the Run the Ball Guys out there, don’t worry. I’m relatively certain Nebraska won’t throw that much come fall. To close out the spring, however, it was logical.
Nebraska’s offense averaged 18 points per game last season. It probably needs to boost that number by seven points per game, assuming no drop off from the defense (also 18 points per game allowed), to get where it wants to go.
Could the Huskers make that improvement with a better running game? Of course. It’s just a bigger ask as rush yards are harder to come by.
Improvement in the passing game, then, represents a comparative short cut to 25 points per game or better. While there were plenty of big plays through the air Saturday, they’re probably less important to the season ahead than overall efficiency.
Heinrich Haarberg said after the game “the goal of this year” is completions. He was 8-of-13 (61.5%) for 163 yards with two touchdowns while playing for both Red and White. Last year, Haarberg completed 49% of his throws and the Huskers completed just 52.1% as a team (126th).
Add in Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin’s numbers—both also played for both teams—and Nebraska’s three primary contenders in the QB race were 33-of-51 (64.7%) for 9.7 yards per attempt with four touchdowns.2 Raiola and Kaelin both threw an interception.
That ain’t quite Air Raid either, but Nebraska doesn’t need that kind of production from the passing game. It just needs better QB play overall. It was a controlled setting Saturday, one meant to highlight the passing game, but these were encouraging results no matter how many caveats must be applied.
On to some other spring game thoughts from the both of us.3
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