Nebraska’s Matt Rhule Wants to Run Ball More, but Stats Tell Different Story

Huskers’ passing attack effective

Rhule knows he has an excellent quarterback in Dylan Raiola. The sophomore could have led the Huskers to victory over Michigan if he had a second or two to throw.

The unrelenting Wolverines’ pass rush sacked Raiola seven times and it looked and felt as if he was under pressure on nearly attempted pass play.

“When Dylan had time, everyone was open,” Rhule said. “We scored 27 points and we would have killed for 27 points at times last year versus a pretty good defense.”

What the Huskers’ numbers say

There’s really no statistical equality between the Huskers’ rushing attack and their passing attack. The Huskers pass the ball with great success and efficiency.

“I do think we are spreading the ball around and attacking people. I think this is a good week [bye week, before playing Michigan State on Oct. 4] for us to go back and look at all that. We can say to ourselves, ‘What are we doing well and can we do better.’ ”

Converting in the red zone

The Huskers converted 3-of-4 red-zone opportunities against Michigan but only one was a touchdown. Two of the scores were field goals and there also was a missed 44-yard field-goal attempt.

Nebraska ranks 96th in red-zone efficiency. The Huskers have seven rushing touchdowns, seven passing touchdowns and five field goals in 24 red-zone opportunities, a .792 scoring percentage.

Nineteen FBS schools have scored on every red-zone chance, including Nebraska’s opening-game opponent Cincinnati and Big Ten schools Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern and Washington.

On Nebraska’s first possession, it turned over the ball on downs at the Michigan 5. The Huskers couldn’t convert a third-and-three and a fourth-and-two. Emmett Johnson gained one yard on third down and a Luke Lindenmeyer reception on fourth down came up just short of a first down.

That empty drive prevented the Huskers from gaining early momentum in a game that was expected to be close and gritty … and it was.

Nebraska’s DNA is run-oriented and Rhule wants to push that. He knows the better the running game, the better the passing game will be. He already has a weapon in Raiola. A stronger running attack will keep defenses honest about protecting against the run.

Rhule knows the potential is there for a greater offense. He also knows the offensive line must improve — apparently an emphasis during the bye week. Michigan’s defensive front seven had its way with the Huskers’ running game and also gave Raiola fits.

Nebraska has issues on both sides of the ball — the defense allowed 30 points to Michigan, whose quarterback could hardly complete a downfield pass. The Wolverines scored on three long touchdown runs.

There’s another benefit from a stronger Nebraska running game — controlling the ball and time of possession. Football is a beautiful event when everything clicks. When it doesn’t, it’s time to regroup and figure out the best way to improve.

It’s why the football gods created bye weeks.