Nebraska's football team is gearing up for the season, and head coach Matt Rhule is using the final weeks of preseason camp to fine-tune his roster. With just three weeks until the season opener against Ohio, Rhule and his staff are taking a measured approach to the scrimmage, focusing on execution and assessing the depth chart. The team worked on about 120 plays, including goal-line and short-yardage situations, and Rhule was pleased with the overall effort and progress of the players.
One area of particular interest is the running backs. Rhule noted that the group performed well, with good blitz pickup and no balls on the ground. However, he also emphasized the need for improvement, stating that they will "watch the tape and see where we can improve at that position." The competition at the position is fierce, with Mekhi Nelson, Jamal Rule, and Isaiah Mozee viewed as top contenders. Meanwhile, the quarterbacks, including Anthony Colandrea, handled the day "really well," according to Rhule.
The coach also highlighted the importance of tackling and the need for players to make people miss when it's no longer a thud. He emphasized the need for dominant contact in the running game, stating that "who can run through contact and turn third-and-6 into third-and-4 just by dominant contact in the running game?" The team will get a close look at tackling on film, as it was their first chance this camp to knock people to the ground.
Looking ahead, Rhule plans to use the next week as a test and assessment to see where the team is at depth-wise and execution-wise. He also mentioned the possibility of one more big scrimmage after that, depending on how the week goes. The team will continue to work on improving their execution and taking it further situationally.
In other news, wide receiver Demitrius Bell was out there doing individual work for the first time in a long time after suffering a non-contact injury in the Spring Game. Bell had shown promise on the scout team in 2023 and again during the spring of 2024, and Rhule is looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table. The team also welcomed the attendance of Sue Darlington, the wife of the late former Husker coach George Darlington, at the scrimmage.
Overall, Nebraska is in the homestretch of its preseason camp, and Rhule is taking a measured approach to fine-tuning his roster. With just three weeks until the season opener, the team is focused on execution and assessing the depth chart. The scrimmage provided a glimpse into the team's progress and areas for improvement, and Rhule is confident that the team is on the right track.
