{"id":54418,"date":"2023-11-09T17:00:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T22:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=54418"},"modified":"2023-11-09T14:30:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T19:30:37","slug":"can-the-nebraska-cornhuskers-finally-go-bowling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2023\/11\/09\/can-the-nebraska-cornhuskers-finally-go-bowling\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Nebraska Cornhuskers Finally Go Bowling?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With victories over Northwestern, Illinois, and Purdue, the Nebraska Cornhuskers had their first undefeated month of October since 2001. But this momentum ended rather quickly in November.\u00a0 With its loss to the Michigan State Spartans, Matt Rhule’s<\/strong> program is still searching for bowl eligibility with a 5-4 record. Can the team finally go bowling with a win over the Maryland Terrapins at home in Memorial Stadium? Let’s break down what the Cornhuskers have to do to succeed.<\/p>\n

Put Pressure on Taulia Tagovailoa<\/h3>\n

In 2023, senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa<\/a> has excelled as a passing threat in Maryland’s offense.\u00a0 So far this season under Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley<\/strong>, he’s shown off his arm strength by passing for 2,486 yards as well as 21 touchdowns. Because of this, Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White<\/strong> and the rest of the Blackshirts will have to rely on increased pressure by the Husker’s defensive lineman in order to get to him.\u00a0 And they should deliver. Through multiple games, they’ve played at an elite level. But there is a major concern. Against a struggling Michigan State team, the unit was only able to muster two sacks from freshman Cam Lenhardt<\/a> and sophomore walk-on James Williams. Unless junior defensive lineman Ty Robinson<\/a> and sophomore Jimari Butler<\/a> show up to add to their production, Terrapins offensive coordinator Josh Gattis<\/strong> is going to find a way to score major points against the Big Red.<\/p>\n

Can Nebraska\u2019s Quarterback Play Improve in Just One Game?<\/h3>\n

Throughout the month of October, Nebraska sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg <\/a>improved as a dual threat quarterback. Against the Northwestern Wildcats, he ran for a three-yard touchdown while also throwing a 44-yard touchdown to freshman wide receiver Malachi Coleman. And his home outing against the Purdue Boilermakers was another confidence booster.\u00a0 His first drive of the second half resulted in a one-yard score to tight end Thomas Fidone.<\/a> And then,\u00a0 offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield’s<\/strong> play-action pass allowed him to find freshman wideout Jaylen Lloyd<\/a> for a 73-yard touchdown. But in East Lansing, he took a major step back in his development. Against the Michigan State Spartans, the signal caller routinely missed open receivers and got sacked seven times. But the most egregious part of his day? At the end of the first quarter of play, he threw an interception right to sophomore safety Jaden Mangham<\/a>.\u00a0 And in the fourth quarter, he threw another interception to freshman Khalil Majeed<\/a>.\u00a0 As a result of this performance, a quarterback controversy has emerged once again. Can Haarberg put this narrative to rest, or will he continue to struggle?<\/p>\n

Read more about NU’s quarterback play in Spartans Stun Huskers in East Lansing<\/a><\/p>\n

Keep Feeding Emmett Johnson<\/h3>\n

With the Nebraska Cornhuskers loss against interim head coach Harlon Barnett’s<\/strong> 2-6 Michigan State Spartans, Rhule’s team is left with major questions. But the Huskers have a major bright spot in freshman running back Emmett Johnson<\/a>. Two weeks ago against the Purdue Boilermakers, he set a career-high by rushing 76 yards. And he also helped the Huskers overcome turnovers, with a 28-yard touchdown run in order for the Huskers to seal the game over the Boilermakers in the fourth quarter. Against the Spartans, he rushed for 57 yards and made things interesting for the Huskers again late in the football game with a touchdown. But the Huskers couldn’t quite make a comeback. It would help if Satterfield’s offense found ways to give the Minnesota native an opportunity to score in the first half. If they do, Nebraska’s running game has a chance to explode.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Emmett Johnson is in for 6\ufe0f\u20e3!@HuskerFootball<\/a> cuts into the deficit in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com\/kt42lOGKy8<\/a><\/p>\n

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n