One Nebraska injury may end up creating a bigger ripple than expected, and it comes at a spot where the Huskers can least afford to lose experience. Anthony Jones is out for “a while” after playing through a broken foot against Oregon, and former Blackshirt Jay Moore thinks the absence will be felt in more ways than one.
Moore, speaking to Hurrdat Sports, pointed first to what Jones brings beyond the box score. He sees a veteran presence Nebraska will miss on a defensive front that has been strong, but could use that extra push late in games.
“The best thing about Anthony Jones is he's been around the block a few times. The maturity is there, and he's been a part of a lot of different programs.
We always call him the "old head." Just having that maturity out there, where you've seen everything, and you can talk to younger players-and he'll still be on the sidelines to do that.
But his maturity is definitely going to be missed on the field.”
Jones has started all seven games this season and has 19 tackles. He’s also a fifth-year player with a lot of Big Ten mileage, having begun at Oregon before moving on to Indiana, Michigan State and then UCLA last season.
The opening Jones leaves behind could be Kade Pietrzak’s chance to grab a larger role. Moore didn’t hesitate when asked who should benefit, praising Pietrzak’s play and physical tools.
“Cade's played at a really high level. He had that great interception against Maryland, and I think his ability to rush the passer is good, his ability to play the run.
He's big. He's physical.
I fully expect him to step in and fill that void.”
Pietrzak has been in all 13 games for Nebraska a year ago, when he made one start and finished with 17 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 pass breakups. This season, he’s appeared in all seven games but has not started yet. He’s got 5 tackles, along with 3 pass breakups at the line and that interception.
Against Oregon, the depth chart showed Pietrzak behind Williams Nwaneri, but the injury could shuffle things and send Pietrzak to the other side of the line if Nebraska needs him to start opposite Nwaneri against Washington.
The timing helps Nebraska a little. The Huskers are off this Saturday, then return for a Blackout game against Washington on October 31, giving the staff two weeks to get a replacement ready if Jones is unavailable.
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Big Defensive Line Opening
Nebraskas defensive front took a significant hit against Oregon when Anthony Jones suffered a broken foot, and the Cornhuskers now face an extended stretch without one of their most steady presences. Jones has started all seven games this season, and beyond the production, former Nebraska player Jay Moore pointed to the leadership and maturity the defense will have to do without while Jones recovers.
The next question is how Nebraska reshuffles the line in his absence, and Moore believes Kade Pietrzak is the obvious name to watch. Pietrzak has appeared in all seven games but has not started yet, leaving the Huskers with a real opening for a player who has been in the rotation and now has a chance to take on a far bigger role. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Lands A Huge Blackout Spotlight As Backfield Concerns Grow
The Halloween Blackout game against Washington now has a stage to match the atmosphere, with Nebraska set for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on the Big Ten Network. The broadcast plans are also in place for the Huskers upcoming games against Illinois and Iowa, while the details for Rutgers and Ohio State will wait until closer to kickoff.
For a team already dealing with some backfield uncertainty, the timing matters. Nebraska has lost fullback Vincent Genatone for the season, and running back Isaiah Mozee is expected to miss an extended stretch, adding another layer of concern as the schedule tightens and the spotlight grows brighter. [Read more 🡒]
Fred Hoiberg Sees One Early Nebraska Concern That Could Matter Fast
Fred Hoiberg spent part of his preseason media session circling back to a familiar concern for Nebraska as the Huskers get ready for an exhibition against Kansas State: how to replace the rebounding lost through player departures. With Nebraska drawing attention in the preseason rankings, Hoiberg made it clear the next step is not about the outside buzz but about tightening the details, especially with guards needing to help on the glass.
The other subplot is Sam Orme, who is working back from a hamstring injury and remains questionable for the exhibition. Hoiberg also said he plans to give the starters more minutes while still leaning on a deep rotation in the tune-up, which should offer an early look at how Nebraska handles both the physicality and the depth questions that can quickly show up once games start counting. [Read more 🡒]