Nebraska’s backfield picture is still cloudy heading into Saturday’s game against Maryland, with Jamal Rule and Mekhi Nelson both listed as game-time decisions after spending part of the week in worse shape on the Big Ten Availability Report.
Rule had already climbed from doubtful on Wednesday to questionable by Friday night, while Nelson also landed on the questionable list. But with statuses shifting again on gameday, there’s no clean read on whether either running back will actually be available when Nebraska takes the field.
If the Huskers are forced to make do without one or both, Isaiah Mozee looks like the next man up. The converted wide receiver is third on the team with 31 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown, though most of that work has come in games that were already under control.
If Mozee needs a breather, Kwinten Ives would likely be the next option. Ives has just 2 carries for 28 yards this season, and two Nebraska wide receivers have as many or more carries than he does.
That’s what makes the status of Rule and Nelson so important. Rule was limited to just 4 carries last week against Michigan State, but he still enters Saturday tied with Nelson for the team lead with 42 rushes.
Rule also leads Nebraska with 333 rushing yards and has 6 total touchdowns. Nelson has 42 carries for 227 yards, a 5.4 yards-per-carry average, and 2 touchdowns.
Losing that kind of production would leave a real void.
Nebraska did get some relief elsewhere. Safety Rex Guthrie and wide receiver Jacory Barney were on the availability sheet earlier in the week, but neither was listed Saturday. That means both are good to go against Maryland.
Barney ranks second on the team with 16 catches for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also handles punt returns, so his presence matters in more than one phase. Guthrie has seen limited action in 2028, but he has still contributed 8 tackles, an interception, and a 35-yard return.
The only other Nebraska player whose status could have changed is still out for the second straight game.
In Other News...
Nebraska Injury Report Just Raised The Stakes For Maryland
Nebraskas latest availability report brought a little more clarity, and a little more uncertainty, as the Cornhuskers continued sorting through their health ahead of the Maryland matchup. Jamal Rule moved from doubtful to questionable, while Jacory Barney Jr. went from questionable to probable, giving Nebraska a better chance to have more of its roster available when it matters most.
The report also added another layer to the backfield picture, with junior running back Mekhi Nelson listed as questionable after seeing action in the previous game. Several other statuses shifted as well, including some players who remain out for the season, so Nebraska still has some important decisions to monitor before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Backfield Concern Fans Didn't See Coming
Nebraskas backfield picture got a little murkier this week heading into the Maryland game, with the injury report listing running back Mekhi Nelson as questionable and Jamal Rule still doubtful. For a team trying to keep momentum in conference play, any uncertainty at running back matters, especially when depth can be tested quickly and game plans often have to adjust on the fly.
At the same time, the program has a notable recruiting moment on deck with 5-star EDGE prospect David Jacobs expected on campus for a visit, a reminder that the staff is still working the long game while sorting out immediate availability issues. It also comes against a busy stretch around the athletic department, with Nebraska volleyball just sweeping Penn State to extend its win streak and give Dani Busboom Kelly her 250th career win. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Can Shake Up More Than Its Own Season This Weekend
Nebraskas trip to Maryland comes at a time when the Cornhuskers are trying to keep their own momentum going, but it also sits in the middle of a bigger national ripple effect. With No. 15 Oregon on a bye before its meeting with No. 23 UCLA, the Ducks will be watching this weekend closely, and the Cornhuskers are part of a slate that could alter how the Pac-12 race and the rankings look when the dust settles.
The attention on Nebraska is broader than one conference result, too, because Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiolas transfer from Nebraska adds another layer to the weekends watch list. Along with Ohio State-Iowa and Alabama-Mississippi State, Nebraska-Maryland is one of the games that could shape future matchups and reshuffle perceptions in a hurry, making the Cornhuskers a surprising part of a much larger conversation. [Read more 🡒]