It shouldn’t be surprising that Nebraska’s running game hasn’t been as sharp as it was earlier in the year. Yes, part of the issue is that the Big Ten defenses are better than the Huskers' defense was earlier in the year. But a few running backs are also banged up and badly needed the bye week to rest and recover.
Now that the bye week is over, Dana Holgorsen has a message for the room. “The running backs gotta play better,” the offensive coordinator said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “They gotta play better.”
The banged-up Nebraska trio of Mekhi Nelson, Jamal Rule, and Isaiah Mozee saw their collective production decline in the past two outings against Indiana (39 carries for 128 yards) and Oregon (33 for 78).
Rule and Nelson have been managing ankle injuries, while Mozee left the fourth quarter of the October 17 game in Eugene.
Nebraska football RBs Jamal Rule, Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee healthy enough to practice
Holgorsen said all three fully participated in Monday’s practice. The biggest surprise is that Mozee is already back. When head coach Matt Rhule announced the running back’s injury, he said Mozee would be out for “a while.” That he’s back for the very next game is impressive.
Of course, if Nelson and Rule keep healing and are close to 100%, Mozee will return to his spot as the third option and come in on passing downs for an added set of hands.
Holgorsen said the runners were “fast and fresh” from Monday’s workout. “Suck it up and go” is his advice, or really more of a demand. He said all three backs are obviously banged up, and so is everyone else on every Big Ten team this time of year. While Holgorsen didn’t name true freshman Jamal Rule as the target of his “suck it up” comments, his words felt especially aimed at him.
After all, Rule has been the best of the three running backs this season. After non-conference play, he led all freshmen in rushing yards. Then he was injured in the Michigan State game and managed just 4 yards. He then missed the entire Maryland game.
Rule returned against Indiana and was decent, if not spectacular, rushing for 53 yards on 15 carries. He was hurt in Eugene and managed just 5 yards on 3 carries.
If the message was meant for Rule, then message received.
Rule offered a wry smile and explained that his coaches were right during training camp when they warned him he wouldn’t feel 100% most of the season. He added that he has to fight through discomfort and commit to a daily recovery routine. Then be ready to hit on game days.
Saturday night against Washington would certainly be a golden opportunity to shrug off whatever ails the running backs. Washington is ranked 13th in the Big Ten against the run. While they allowed only 98 yards against Purdue, which isn't a strong running team, the Huskies let Iowa’s Kamari Moulton run for 208 yards.
The ideal situation for Nebraska would be to build a big enough early lead to rotate the running backs and keep the workload light before eventually going to Kwinten Ives or Connor Booth. If they have to ride Rule and Nelson, Holgorsen wants them to step up and play through whatever is bothering them.
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