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Nebraska Football: Heinrich Haarberg trending towards starter against Michigan

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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While the starting quarterback for Nebraska football against Michigan has not been officially named yet, it’s looking pretty clear it will be Heinrich Haarberg. That means he’s starting three straight games.

During Nebraska football’s post-practice press conference, offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield addressed how both Haarberg and Jeff Sims were feeling. Satterfield described the Kearney native as “full go.”

The Huskers’ OC added that Sims continues to get stronger. However, he added that the Georgia Tech transfer is still not 100 percent “by any means.”

It feels like the “by any means” is important here. Sims was supposedly ready to step in and play if need be on Saturday against Louisiana Tech. He wasn’t even listed on the injury report.

However, when Sims did come into the game for a snap because Haarberg had to leave after losing his helmet, the opening-day starter looked a bit gimpy. He certainly didn’t have the speed he’d displayed earlier in the season.

Nebraska football going with Haarberg again?

One of the reasons Satterfield likely felt he had to make it clear that Haarberg was completely healthy on Tuesday is because he left the game against LaTech a bit early. Saturday’s contest was delayed for about an hour due to lightning. When play resumed, Chubba Purdy was under center for the remainder.

After the game Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule explained that Haarberg had “felt something tighten up” and that the coaches decided he could be done for the day as the Huskers were up 28-7 when the delay occurred.

Things got a bit stressful towards the end of the game when Louisiana Tech scored a second touchdown to cut the lead to 14 points. It’s not clear whether Haarberg could have returned had the Bulldogs made it a real fight in the final minutes.

If he wasn’t healthy enough to play anymore on Saturday, it appears he’s plenty healthy now.

While things could still change between now and Saturday, there are plenty of reasons why Heinrich Haarberg should be the starter for Nebraska football against the Wolverines. That he’s not nursing a high ankle sprain is just there at the top.

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