Arbitrary Nebraska football stat of the week: A balanced rushing distribution

Nebraska football's week one victory against UTEP was a testament to their potential. Despite a Dante Dowdell fumble, the offense maintained control with a balanced rushing and passing attack. The distribution of carries was remarkably even, with the top four running backs all having between 6 and 11 carries. This balance will give the Huskers a fresh set of legs late in games but could also result in the streak of no 1000-yard rushers continuing.

The Huskers aren’t alone at the top of this list. Arizona State and Navy also have 11 players who have received a carry this season. The Sun Devils even gave a carry to a former Husker – Jeff Sims. Despite Nebraska being tied with these other two programs for the unique number of rushers, the Huskers trail the Midshipmen and Sun Devils for rushing yards this season.

Nebraska football's legacy in unique rushing statistics is a point of pride. Since 1956, the team has only finished six seasons without 11 players rushing the ball, three of which were under Bill Callahan's coaching. Last season, 17 players received a carry, placing the team near the top of the list in this category. The 2001 Huskers, with 24 players carrying the ball, were just one short of 1974 Oklahoma’s record.

Like most rushing stats, this one probably correlates with winning (Georgia and Michigan tied with Air Force for the record in 2023) more so than being a cause of winning. However, I still think this could help translate to Husker wins later in the season. The Huskers have five running backs, each with five carries (again tied for the nation’s lead). The leading rusher in four of the last six seasons has been a quarterback.

Nebraska football could do something it hasn't in quite a while

Quarterback health has also been a significant point of concern in those seasons. Adrian Martinez was plagued with injuries throughout his career, and Heinrich Haarberg missed time in 2023. The biggest key to success this season will be Dylan Raiola’s health. If he’s not forced to miss any snaps, the Huskers should be looking at a return to the postseason.

Nebraska football has a chance to do something it hasn’t done since the Bill Callahan era – have four running backs each finish the season with 335+ rushing yards. Like that 2006 Nebraska team, the Huskers quarterback could also set a school record for single-season passing yards in 2024. While returning to the performance of the Callahan era might feel like a disappointment, it would be a massive improvement from the last seven years of Nebraska.

A repeat of the 2006 season feels like it would be more of a foundation for the future rather than a flash in the pan, given Rhule’s success at previous colleges.