With Nebraska’s opener against Ohio still three weeks away, Saturday’s scrimmage gave Matt Rhule and his staff a real checkpoint - not a dress rehearsal, but a useful snapshot of where the Huskers stand after nine practices of camp.
Rhule liked what he saw overall, especially from a day that was built to test rather than disguise. Nebraska ran about 120 plays, working through goal-line, short-yardage and 2-minute situations. The Huskers also mixed in field goals, a punt period and even a mini halftime, with the roster split into Black, Red and White units.
“Good week last week. The guys are working hard, getting better every single day.
Nice job today in the scrimmage,” Rhule said. “I think we came out of it pretty unscathed.
I'm pleased with that.”
The setup was intentional. Nebraska rotated the groups so each one got roughly 40 reps, keeping the work intense without letting anyone hit the wall.
“Just enough to see where we are before they start getting super tired,” Rhule said, adding, “So they have to kind of go over there and sit on the bench, and whenever you call their name, they have to come out and play.”
There wasn’t much mystery attached to the scheme. That wasn’t the assignment. Nebraska stayed in its base defense and kept the focus on fundamentals.
“We're not trying to blitz and out-scheme each other,” Rhule said. “We're trying to see who can block and tackle, which at the end of the day is the epitome of football.”
That same straightforward approach applied to the backs, a position group Rhule knew would draw attention. He kept the review broad, but the message was positive.
“I thought they all did a nice job out there today. Blitz pickup was good.
No balls on the ground. Caught the ball out of the backfield, ran the ball well,” Rhule said.
“We'll have to just watch the tape and see where we can improve at that position.”
On Friday, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen had already spoken favorably about the competition there, with Mekhi Nelson, Jamal Rule and Isaiah Mozee viewed as top contenders.
Rhule was just as upbeat when asked about Anthony Colandrea and the quarterbacks.
“Really well,” Rhule said. “Really well.”
Even with the positive tone, Rhule was quick to point out how much is still on the table before the season begins.
“A lot to clean up. As I tell our guys, two things can be true: They've done a nice job through nine practices, they've come a long way.
There's a long, long way to go. Whether it's snap counts, cadences, shifts, motions, trades, communication on defense - it all will hopefully continue to improve each day.”
Tackling will be a major part of the film review, since Saturday was Nebraska’s first camp scrimmage with live contact to the ground. Rhule also wanted to see who can create yards after contact now that the thud periods are over.
Or, as he put it: “Who can run through contact and turn third-and-6 into third-and-4 just by dominant contact in the running game?”
The next week is set up as another evaluation stretch, with Rhule describing it as a test before the final heavy push toward Sept. 5.
“Heading to next week the emphasis will just be on kind of looking at this as like a test, as an assessment to see where we're at depth-wise, to see where we're at execution-wise and have one last week of tremendous camp before the season gets started,” Rhule said. “We'll continue to work on our execution.
I like the effort, I like the coachability. But it comes down to what you do between the snaps.
“We'll continue to work on improving that and taking it further situationally.”
Rhule said “we'll see” whether Nebraska holds another major scrimmage after evaluating the film and getting through the week.
“We'll certainly do something next week, but just what the extent of it is and all that, I'll watch the tape, go through the week and talk to the staff next week.”
Saturday’s scrimmage also carried a meaningful off-field moment. Sue Darlington, the wife of the late former Husker coach George Darlington, was in attendance.
“That family means a great deal to us so great to have Ms. Sue here today.”
Gunnar Gottula had a busy Saturday, fitting graduation in before the scrimmage. Rhule said the Lincoln native’s future remains bright.
“Went to graduation, probably took a picture, kissed his mom and was out there for the scrimmage,” Rhule said. “Obviously these guys understand that we won't get anywhere without practice.”
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson and Dasan McCullough also graduated Saturday.
Rhule also said Caleb Benning and Gage Stenger are dealing with short-term injuries.
There was one encouraging development on the field: wide receiver Demitrius Bell was back doing individual work for the first time in a long time. Bell had flashed on scout team in 2023 and again during spring 2024 before suffering a non-contact injury in the Spring Game, and he’s been working back ever since.
“Looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table,” Rhule said.
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