Nebraska's running game has already had serious problems since it started Big Ten play. Now, not only might the Huskers struggle to find yards, but suddenly the depth in the room is very much in question.
On Monday afternoon, head coach Matt Rhule gave a long, wide-ranging press conference that touched on, among other things, NU losing two running backs "for a while" over the past few days.
Third-string runner Isaiah Mozee was injured against Oregon after running for 28 yards on 4 carries. If that wasn't bad enough, Rhule also said that fullback Vincent Genatone is out for the season.
With starting running back Jamal Rule having missed parts or all of three games this season, including most of the matchup against the Ducks, the running back room is suddenly thinner than it has been all season.
Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule confirms multiple running back injuries
Rhule did say that the freshman running back is banged up but that he hopes Rule will be able to use the bye week to heal up. There's some indication he could be back in time for the Halloween Night game against Washington.
Genatone gave Nebraska's running back room depth, especially as a goal-line threat with his 225-pound frame. The senior finished his 2026 season with a 13-yard touchdown catch, seven rushing attempts for 10 yards, and two additional scores.
Rule got off like gangbusters and led all freshman in college football in rushing yards (329) after three games. However, he was injured in the first quarter of the Michigan State game and missed the entirety of the game againt Maryland. He returned against Indiana but wasn't able to run for anywhere near as many yards as he had been.
He was reinjured in the first half against Oregon and didn't play the second half. In total, Rule has just 22 carries for 62 yards in Big Ten play.
Mozee has seen most of his action on mop-up duty, but he still got 8 carries for 46 yards and 4 catches for 30 yards in Rule's absence against Maryland. So far this season, he has 44 carries for 223 yards and a touchdown, plus 9 catches for 73 yards.
With two weeks to prepare for the Washington Huskies on October 31, Nebraska has time to really get a handle on who will carry the load on Halloween. Mekhi Nelson will almost certainly start at running back and will hopefully be backed up by Rule. If he can't go, Kwinten Ives will likely get his first shot at extended playing time all year.
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