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Nebraska Football: Four Things To Watch Against Purdue

By Oliver Vandervoort

Oct 15, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) looks to hand off the ball during the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. The Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 27 to 22. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) looks to hand off the ball during the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. The Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 27 to 22. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Devine Ozigbo (22) scores a touchdown against Oregon Ducks linebacker Jimmie Swain (18) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Devine Ozigbo (22) scores a touchdown against Oregon Ducks linebacker Jimmie Swain (18) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Devine Ozigbo Healthy And Ready To Rejoin the Rotation?

Before last week’s game against Indiana, running back Devine Ozigbo was ruled healthy enough to play. It appears something changed after kickoff because the running back had just one carry for two yards.

Thanks to a resurgent season by Terrell Newby, Ozigbo’s absense isn’t felt as deeply as the absence of Jordan Westerkamp or Cethan Carter, but he’s an important part of this offense. In fact, since he went down, Newby has flourished as the lead back.

The senior, who was losing carries to Ozigbo early in the year, carried 27 times for 140 yards against Illinois and 22 times for 102 yards against Indiana. Still, there were a number of 3rd and short situations where the Huskers passed (unsuccessfully) where they might have run had Devine been healthy.

For the second straight week, Mike Riley has said Ozigbo is going to be playing in this weekend’s game. Just how much he can play might determine whether or not the Huskers are able to play up to their full ability.

Giving Purdue one more offensive weapon Ross Els and company has to prepare for is never going to be a bad thing either. At the same time, if he’s not fully healthy, and the Huskers are able to move the ball without him, we should all hope he’s used sparingly. We’re going to need him next week even more against Wisconsin.

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