After Three Straight Losses, What Does Nebraska Need for a 4-0 November?

A difficult month ahead

Nebraska visits Illinois on Friday, then plays at Rutgers, hosts Ohio State and finishes at Iowa on Black Friday. A sweep would reshape the season’s outcome, though coach Matt Rhule has a 2-10 November record since arriving in Lincoln.

The offense scored 13.7 points per game across its three losses, down from 43.6 over the first five games. Nebraska had needed only 21 points to beat Indiana and 18 to beat Oregon or Washington, according to the article’s comparison.

Build around the run

Nebraska’s offense should begin with more rushing attempts. Before facing Washington, the Huskers ran on 57% of their plays over three games and averaged 6.5 yards per carry; they had also ranked 29th nationally with 194.4 rushing yards per game.

Against Washington, Jamal Rule gained 72 yards on 13 carries while Anthony Colandrea attempted 44 passes. Using the run to set up run-pass options could give Colandrea quicker decisions and help the offense avoid forcing throws downfield.

Finish plays on offense

Receivers need to run routes to the expected depth and catch the ball, while also holding blocks on the perimeter. Reliable catches and edge blocking can turn screens, quick passes and outside runs into more productive plays.

Nebraska’s scoring fell to 3.4 points per quarter in the first three quarters of its losses and 3.3 in the fourth. Its late-game production had been much stronger earlier: the Huskers outscored opponents 79-15 in fourth quarters over their first five games, then were outscored 39-10 in the next three.

Keep the defense steady

Nebraska ranks 14th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 15.4 points per game, and ninth against the run at 91.1 yards per game. Indiana ran for 65 yards and Washington for 35, but Maryland gained 141 yards on the ground at 5.6 yards per carry.

Illinois averages 5.3 yards per carry, while Ohio State ranks fifth nationally in passing with 323.1 yards per game. Nebraska’s pass defense ranks 18th, so the remaining schedule will test both its run defense and coverage.

Late plays have proved costly. Indiana’s Nick Marsh scored on runs of 75 and 44 yards; Oregon won with a late 82-yard drive; and Washington took the lead with 1:30 left before a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the result. Nebraska also went from eight takeaways in its first five games to one in its last three.