Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview 2022: Offense
There will be a more diverse and dynamic offense at Nebraska this season. New offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has been around the block several times – he helped make Kenny Pickett a star at Pitt last year – but it’s not like the Nebraska offense was that big a problem.
The Huskers were second in the Big Ten in total offense, first in yards per completion, the passing game was consistent, and the rushing attack wasn’t awful. However, they couldn’t put the biscuit in the basket – they didn’t score enough, failing to hit 30 points against everyone but Northwestern and Fordham.
Adrian Martinez was everything for the program. He was supposed to step in and be the hand-picked perfect quarterback for Scott Frost, and he was magnificent at times. Now he’s at Kansas State.
Texas transfer Casey Thompson will almost certainly have the gig, but Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy and 2021 backup Logan Smothers will at least get looks.
The receivers should be stronger with home run hitters Trey Palmer from LSU, Marcus Washington from Texas, and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda from New Mexico State stepping in around 6-4 Omar Manning and others who can stretch the field.
The offensive line is the sticking point. Turner Corcoran is a good one, 6-9, 330-pound Bryce Benhart is a possible NFL blocker, and here’s a little bit of experience from the 2021 depth ready to fill in. This group was just okay, though. Now has to be better for the ground attack and can’t let so many plays happen behind the line.
Whipple likes to pass, and then pass, and then maybe run a bit. He’s got the backs ready to do more.
Martinez was the main rushing threat over the last few years, but the program that was so historically good on the ground has had just one 1,000-yard runner since 2014. It’ll mostly be around a rotation of young backs – Rahmir Johnson, Gabe Ervin, and Jaquez Yant – to add some punch.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview 2022: Defense
The Huskers have to generate more big plays on defense. They came up with just 12 takeaways last year, were among the worst in the Big Ten in sacks, and there weren’t enough stops on third downs. There’s a whole lot of experience back among the likely starting 11, but …
The line has to be more disruptive. Hybrid pass rusher Garrett Nelson led the team with five sacks, and that was about it. DT Ty Robinson had two, and no other defensive lineman had more than 1.5. That’s where pass rushing transfer Ochaun Mathis comes in – he made 12.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss at TCU.
There’s size to go along with the experience up front – getting former Alabama star recruit Stephon Wynn helps – but the stops have to come.
The pressure will likely come from Nelson and the outside linebackers, and the inside combination of Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich – as underclassmen they combined for 208 tackles – should be stat-sheet fillers.
The secondary has to generate more big plays and stops, too. S Myles Farmer is the only returning defensive back who came up with a pick. Plenty of tacklers return – Quinton Newsome made a whole lot of stops from his corner job – but the transfer portal should make the biggest noise.
Tommi Hill from Arizona State should step in for Cam Taylor-Britt, and JUCO transfer DeShaun Singleton and Northern Iowa corner Omar Brown should be instant factors.
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