Key Rutgers injury gives Nebraska football edge in October matchup

Nebraska football catches a break as Rutgers will be without their top linebacker and captain, sidelined for the season with an injury, in their October 5 matchup.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
facebooktwitterreddit

When the Nebraska football team takes on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, that matchup will be just a little bit easier than the Huskers might have thought just a week ago. That’s because unfortunately, Greg Schiano’s squad will be without one of its top defensive stars.

Every team is dealing with some significant injuries this time of year, but Rutgers’ injury news seems to be hitting it a bit harder than most. That’s because the Scarlet Knights were expected to make some noise in the Big Ten this season. They were even a darkhorse to compete for a title, if not given much of a chance of actually winning it.

Schiano’s squad have been the darling of the offseason. They obviously still could be, but when Nebraska football has to face off against this upstart spoiler squad, the Knights will be without stud linebacker and captain Mo Toure.

Nebraska football won’t have to face off against Rutgers’ top defender

“Greg Schiano just announced that LB and senior captain Mo Toure will be out for the season with a torn ACL,” Rutgers beat reporter Pat Lanni posted earlier this week. “It's a significant blow for a defense that was counting on his dynamic ability. More to come.”

The news has to be especially heartbreaking because Mohamed Toure also missed the entirety of the 2022 season with a different injury. And when he is healthy, he’s a game-changer for a Rutgers team that will need to see its defense be a strength in 2024.

Last year, Toure had 84 tackles, 2 passes defended, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. All of that showed that the linebacker was a do it all defender that the Scarlet Knights are going to miss badly.

Nebraska football has its work cut out for it in making a bowl game this year. Especially after looking like they were on the cusp of it last season, only to lose their last four contests. Certainly you never root for a player to get hurt, especially this badly, but as a matter of business, the Huskers benefit from Toure not being on the field when the two teams meet  on October 5.