Nebraska Cornhuskers News: Thomas Fidone not changing position, more

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Zavier Betts #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scores a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Zavier Betts #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scores a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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The big Nebraska Cornhuskers news of the day was that Zavier Betts is leaving the team, however, Thomas Fidone is not leaving the TE position.

With Betts deciding that he won’t be playing football anymore, Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule made it clear he and his coaches understand that the wide receiver room is quite a bit thinner.

However, Rhule also made it clear that he’s not panicking. And he’s not going to pull Thomas Fidone out of the tight end room and move him over to receivers. “I think he’s a tight end. He probably could (flex out to receiver), but we haven’t done any of that yet,” Rhule said during his post-practice press conference.

Other Nebraska Cornhuskers news

  • The Betts and Fidone news were the biggest tidbits of Saturday’s practice, which was also a scrimmage, but it was far from the only big news. As far as the scrimmage went, Rhule believes the defense is pretty far ahead of the offense so far. “I thought the defense was lights out,” Rhule said. “A lot of passion, energy. They’re significantly ahead of the offense just based off of today. A lot of work to do on offense, a lot of work to do in the kicking game, but I thought the defense was ahead. … They’ve got a lot of guys playing really well. We’re really deep on defense. We’ve got guys that have played a lot. Like, who’s the third Jack? I couldn’t tell you.
  • Speaking of defense, Adam Carriker recently got to sit down with new Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive coordinator Tony White. Among the topics of conversation is the goal for a very much improved pass rush.
  • Over on the Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball team, Rienk Mast is continuing to have a big summer before his first season with Hoiberg’s Heroes. Mast, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward has been in training camp with the Netherlands since mid-July preparing for this qualifier.  He will be making his second senior National Team appearance and first since 2019. If the Netherlands wins the Pre-Qualifying Tournament, they qualify for one of next year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, with the winners of those clinching spots in Paris Olympics next summer.