Nebraska’s numbers look awfully clean heading into gameday, but the real work is still sitting right there in front of the Huskers.
Dana Holgorsen’s offense has stacked up some eye-catching production through the opening stretch. Nebraska is 18th in the FBS in yards per play at 7.64 and 14th in yards per game at 534.5. The ground game has been especially productive, with the Huskers ranking 14th in rushing yards at 256.0 per game, while the passing attack sits 36th at 278.5.
The scoring numbers pop just as much. Nebraska is tied for 10th at 52.5 points per game, has been perfect in the red zone at 8-for-8 on touchdowns, and checks in seventh on third down at 14-of-22.
Still, those totals come with the kind of warning label that matters in September. The tests ahead are tougher, and the Huskers know the tape has room for more bite, especially up front.
Pass protection has been part of that conversation. Matt Rhule told Jessica Coody after Thursday’s practice, "A lot of the things that happened the last game were just not straining in play-actions through six seconds," Rhule said.
"Play-actions are a lot harder, so a lot longer because it's a lot deeper throws. We're showing some explosive ability down the field.
We want to double down on that."
Rhule also pointed back to Monday and the touchdown before the half to Jacory Barney, saying Anthony Colandrea should not have taken a hit on that play, but did.
That leaves Nebraska trying to sharpen things up in its final non-conference game. And there’s no reason to get casual about a Dakota school coming to town.
Even the stat line on Barney has a little more context to it. His two catches for 21 yards would look very different if a 57-yard would-be touchdown had not been wiped out by a flag in Week 1.
So yes, the offensive profile is shiny. But Nebraska is still in the stage where the numbers are the appetizer, not the meal.
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