Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Jeff Sims. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Following Week 1 heartbreak, Nebraska QB Jeff Sims has a lot to prove

By Isaac Nielsen | Last updated 9/1/23

Big Ten Media Days was Husker Nation’s first look at transfer quarterback Jeff Sims, and he took the opportunity to tell fans what they were getting in their new starter.

“Nebraska is getting an elite passer and a dangerous runner,” he began.

After Nebraska's Week 1 loss to Minnesota, many Husker fans may find the first half of that statement hard to believe, at least for now. Sims’ debut resulted in a passing stat line of 11-of-19 for 114 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Sims was heralded as a dual-threat passer when he came to Nebraska and proved his capabilities on the ground Thursday night with 19 rushes for 91 yards. Through the air, however, the redshirt junior has a lot to prove.

The first stat on Sims’ line that jumps out is his trio of interceptions. Each miscue appeared to stem from the QB “staring down” his receiver - he had time to throw all night but simply couldn’t get through his reads fast enough. His third was the costliest, occurring with a minute left in a tied game.

Tyler Nubin interception!! His 2nd of the game, Jeff Sims 3rd INT, LFG Gophers!!!! Nubin will be Playing Sundays pic.twitter.com/sd4E84JxTu
— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) September 1, 2023

If Sims is to improve, it starts with his read progression.

When the QB was able to get a throw off, he was about as inconsistent of a passer as his 57.5% career completion rate suggests. Though he did show flashes with a few well-timed throws, many balls were simply underthrown or delivered in the general vicinity of the receiver with little accuracy.

In a postgame press conference, Sims used his time on the podium to tell reporters about his problems making decisions.

Jeff Sims addressing media post 13-10 loss to Minnesota.

“I gotta make better decisions with the ball.” @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/M6qf15r67y
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) September 1, 2023

In practice this week, Sims can expect to work on reading and reacting to defenses if he is to keep his team in games going forward.

To be fair, Sims did more than his fair share of his squad’s work on the ground. He showed flashes of the force he could be both through the air and on the ground, but there’s clearly work to be done. He’ll face another test in Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes next Saturday, and time will tell whether Sims can turn things around before he digs himself a hole he can’t get out of.

More must-reads: