The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a problem at quarterback. The Huskers started the game with Heinrich Haarberg under center but were forced to pivot to former starter Jeff Sims and then backup Chubba Purdy.
All three quarterbacks would throw an interception for a total of four picks (Jeff Sims threw two). Following the team’s 13-10 loss to Maryland, head coach Matt Rhule discussed the play of his quarterbacks and was less than pleased.
“Heinrich (Haarberg) went out there. We had discussed he’s been a little beat up lately. Maybe we’ll give Jeff (Sims) a series. Heinrich came out with the ankle. They cleared him to go back in but he was trying to run and he looked like he was laboring. So we went with Jeff. We had two turnovers, really three. The fumble, it’s a quarterback counter. It’s not there.”
After the injury to Haarberg and the turnovers by Sims, the Huskers then turned to Chubba Purdy. Rhule told the media that once your third quarterback enters the game, anything can happen.
“Let’s give Chubba (Purdy) a shot. Chubba started moving us down the field. We were in a position to win the game. Anytime you put the third guy who hasn’t gotten many reps, things can happen. The same play he pulled the ball on, it looked like a bad snap. Where I am looking from, you can’t tell why he ran the ball. We wanted to run the clock there and get the ball tight. Have a safe third down call and kick a field goal, then let the defense go win it. Even with the fumble, I told the team there will always be different narratives.”
The head coach went on to say that at some point, the turnovers have to stop.
“It’s not good enough when you have that many turnovers yet again. It has to stop at some point.”
Rhule has yet to give an indication of who will start at quarterback for Nebraska next weekend. The Huskers will take the field this Saturday when they travel to Wisconsin. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Camp Randall Stadium.
Find a photo gallery of Nebraska’s loss to Maryland below.
