Just ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Oregon, Nebraska is waiting to see who will be the Ducks’ quarterback. But this Saturday’s game isn’t the only one on this year's slate where the Huskers have to wonder who will be under center.
In four weeks, Nebraska will take on Illinois, and the question remains who will be the Illini's signal caller. A few days ago, it seemed like a guarantee that Katin Houser, the transfer QB1 Bret Bielema brought in this offseason, would be sitting on the sidelines. Now he has at least an outside shot at returning by the time the Huskers come to town.
Houser suffered a broken hand in Illinois’ game against Michigan State this past weekend. After the 38-37 overtime win, Bielema said that Houser would be out “for quite a while,” and it seemed a given that he’d miss the rest of the regular season. However, on Wednesday, Bielema said that Houser underwent surgery on the break and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks.
Four weeks would have Houser returning just in time for the Illinois game against Nebraska. Of course, he would also be quite well rested if he’s ready to come back.
Katin Houser could return from broken hand in time for Nebraska football matchup
Granted, if Houser can return for the Husker game, it would be the earliest possible time, according to Wednesday’s prognosis. If Houser returns by the time his team takes on NU, Illinois gets a quarterback who hasn't been the problem for an up-and-down season.
Houser has completed 66% of his passes for 1,440 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He’s also been a pain on the ground, rushing for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Illinois has struggled all season, even firing its coordinator, on the defensive side of the ball. Bielema fired Bobby Hauck after just four games, but the defense hasn’t improved, even allowing 37 points to a Michigan State squad that hasn't been an offensive juggernaut this season.
For the Illini offense, if Hauser isn’t quite back for the game against Nebraska, Illinois will almost certainly go with backup Michael Clayton II. Clayton has played only one game so far, but he performed about as well as Bielema could hope when he came in for the injured Houser against the Spartans.
The freshman completed 6 of 8 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. His spectacular outing gave the team the overtime win.
Until the November 6 showdown with Illinois, Nebraska will have to sit back and wait to see who the Illini go with at quarterback. Who will be under center for the Huskers’ opponents is a recurring question for the teams they plan to play later in the year.
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