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Nebraska Football: Trio of big contributors banged up after NIU

By Oliver Vandervoort

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Cameron Lenhardt #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers readies for play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Cornhuskers 13-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 31: Cameron Lenhardt #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers readies for play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Cornhuskers 13-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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The Nebraska football team emerged victorious on Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean they emerged scot-free as several players left early.

Nebraska football fans who woke up with a big smile on their face Sunday morning have reason to grin. The Huskers looked like the Huskers again against Northern Illinois on Saturday night.

Yes, the Huskies are not a particularly good team. No, the win in Matt Rhule’s Memorial Stadium debut does not prove that everything is fixed and all is right with the world. But there’s still reason for optimism about what the rest of the season could bring.

On the other hand …

It’s safe to assume that the Nebraska football coaching staff isn’t all smiles this morning. First of all, they know their job is far from done. They have a game next week against a Louisiana Tech squad, which is starting to show an explosive offense.

There is also the fact that several Cornhuskers who will need to be big contributors moving forward departed the game against Northern Illinois early. After the game, Rhule shed some light on three players who were injured.

Nebraska football players leave early

Perhaps the most concerning injury of the trio is that of freshman defensive lineman Cameron Lenhardt. The young player was starting to come into his own against Colorado.

The frosh averaged 42 snaps a game against Minnesota and the Buffaloes. He appeared in just six against Northern Illinois. More than a few people noticed he was on the sidelines for most of the game, and on Saturday night, Rhule confirmed he was hurt but does not yet know how serious it is.

Late in the game, running back Gabe Ervin departed after rushing for 67 yards on 14 carries and his first TD of the season. His status is not yet known either.

Finally, Rahmir Johnson saw just six snaps after averaging 27 in the previous two games. rhule confirmed he, too, was hurt. The Nebraska football coach did offer a ray of hope when he said he hoped none of the injuries were all that serious.

Which injury is most impactful is likely a tossup between Lenhardt and Ervin. As far as what’s saddest for an individual player, it has to be Johnson. The New Jersey native has suffered through injury problems throughout most of his Huskers career.

Through the first two games, it looked like he’d finally found his niche. Here’s hoping he’s back on the field for Nebraska football in short order.

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