Earlier this week, the Nebraska football team’s backfield looked like it might be without Jamal Rule against Maryland. By Thursday, it looked like the Huskers might be without both Rule and Mekhi Nelson. On Saturday afternoon, it’s hard to say what the status of either running back is.
On Friday night, both backs were listed as questionable, which for Rule especially, was an upgrade over his doubtful status on Wednesday. However, as the statuses on the Big Ten Availability Report change on gameday, it’s not clear whether both being moved to “Game Time Decision” is a good thing or a bad thing.
If one or both running backs can’t go for Nebraska on Saturday afternoon, it looks like the run game will be in the hands of a pair of players who haven’t gotten a ton of carries this season in crunch time. Isaiah Mozee would likely be the starter against Maryland.
The converted wide receiver is third on the team in rushes with 31 for 149 yards and a touchdown, but most of his carries have come when the Huskers had a game well in hand. When Mozee needs a blow, Kwinten Ives will most likely be the next guy in.
Isaiah Mozee could lead Nebraska football backfield with Jamal Rule, Mekhi Nelson uncertain
Ives only has 2 carries for 28 yards all season. Two Husker wide receivers have as many or more carries this season than Ives.
Meanwhile, despite getting just 4 carries last week against Michigan State, Rule is tied with Nelson with 42 rushes. He also leads the team in rushing yards with 333 and has an incredible yards-per-carry average. He also has 6 total touchdowns. Nelson has 42 carries for 227 yards (5.4 YPC) with 2 touchdowns. Missing that production is certainly something Husker fans should be nervous about.
On the other hand, Nebraska did get some good news for some other key players. Both safety Rex Guthrie and wide receiver Jacory Barney were spotted on the availability sheet all week, and neither was there Saturday. In other words, both are good to go against the Terps.
Barney is second on the team in catches with 16 for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s also NU’s lead punt returner, so his absence could have been felt in several ways. Guthrie has played sporadically so far in 2028, though he has 8 tackles, an interception, and a 35-yard return.
The only other Nebraska player whose status could have changed on Saturday was Carter Nelson, who remains listed as out for the second straight game.
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