Since the winter, one of the big questions surrounding the Nebraska football team has been, “Who will be the No. 2 back behind Emmett Johnson?” The answer has long seemed to be Kwinten Ives, though there has been some waiting around to see if that might change this spring.
On Thursday, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen all but declared that Ives had indeed won that job. That he would be the guy who carries the rock when Johnson needs a blow this fall. And while Holgorsen didn’t say that outright, what he did say is that he’s pretty impressed with the work that Ives has put in, especially once Dante Dowdell left for the greener pastures of Kentucky.
Holgorsen said physicality and running with the right pad level were things he was working on. His touchdown for the Nebraska football team in the Pinstripe Bowl had “carried over” into winter workouts and spring ball.
Kwinten Ives making big spring strides in Nebraska football backfield
Holgorsen also made it clear that Ives taking the No. 2 spot isn’t because the other backs who are competing for spots are that much worse. They just don’t have much in the way of experience. The Huskers’ offensive coordinator said that, The rest of them are just young. They need 100 reps. They need 1,000 reps."
It’s worth pointing out that Ives doesn’t have anywhere near that. He’s got 6 carries in his college career. Those carries have translated to 7 yards and a touchdown. However, without a veteran back on the Cornhuskers at the moment beyond Johnson, one of the young guys was going to step up.
Kwinten Ives is currently that man. He’ll go into the fall as the guy with the best chances of surprising. And how the Nebraska football team uses its backs in the fall will certainly be interesting to watch.