Nebraska football: Pass protection upgrade needed for Huskers to contend in B1G West

Casey Thompson was battered and bruised. Yet the Nebraska quarterback kept getting off the mat for more.

Thompson worked hard to post a stat line of 24-for-36 for 232 yards and 2 TDs. He was picked off twice, and was pressured relentlessly by the Rutgers defense in Nebraska’s 14-13 win.

An immediate visit to the training room upon the team’s return from Piscataway was surely in order. He took more than his fair share of hard hits despite being sacked only once. It’s the 2nd straight week Thompson has had to fight through pain to finish a game. He needs more help from the guys up front moving forward.

First-year offensive line coach Donovan Raiola needs his unit to make bigger strides. And quick. Raiola is known as a smash-mouth, run-blocking coach. It’s arguably not a great fit for Mark Whipple’s passing offense.

But the Huskers are used to changing things on the fly. After Scott Frost was fired, Mickey Joseph implemented changes in practice routines and opened up competition at most positions. The same needs to happen with the offensive line.

Struggles protecting the QB

Opponents are bringing pressure and Nebraska’s front five isn’t handling it well. Too often they’re confused by stunts and blitzes. Communication issues have been problematic.

To be fair, the Huskers miss left tackle Teddy Prochazka. He’s out with a right arm injury, which has forced Turner Corcoran to move to tackle. It’s been a learning curve for Corcoran and right tackle Bryce Benhart. They’ve been beat — at times badly — and need to find a groove soon.

Oklahoma State transfer Hunter Anthony is getting more reps with Benhart at right tackle. He’s been OK, but Joseph and Raiola would like more consistency. Center Trent Hixson and guards Ethan Piper and Broc Bando have shown flashes, but remain inconsistent.

One area of adjustment is the fact that Thompson isn’t a runner. Last year, Adrian Martinez could turn a broken play and broken down protection into a scramble and a gain. That isn’t the case with Thompson. His mobility is limited, especially playing dinged up.

Whipple may consider having a tight end chip on edge rushers, or having Anthony Grant and other backs stay in for help in pass protection. Anything to keep Thompson upright. It’s going to be a collective effort.

Quick drops and routes

Thompson knows he doesn’t have the luxury of holding the ball long. Not with a leaky offensive line. He spent the majority of halftime getting taped up and attended to. But kudos to him for staying the course and knowing, eventually the Scarlet Knights pass rush would slow down.

“As a quarterback, you know when the defensive line is playing really physical, and I knew at some point they’d have to slow it down,” he said after the game.

To his credit, Thompson hung in and delivered a 27-yard TD strike to Trey Palmer for the game’s winning points. Quick drop backs and shorter routes could be the ticket to Thompson staying healthy. Take a deep shot now and then. Tight end Travis Vokolek is a prime candidate for the short and intermediate routes.

It’s all predicated on the offensive line getting its act together. Thompson has taken a beating the past 2 weeks. It’s not realistic for him to continue to take those kind of shots each week and survive.

Tougher tests loom

It doesn’t get easier for Raiola’s unit. The Huskers head to West Lafayette for an evening kick against a stout Purdue defense. The Boilers have won 2 straight as well, and Saturday’s meeting has raised stakes to it.

First place in the B1G West is on the line. It’ll be a grown-man’s game in the trenches. Nebraska must be better in order to give Thompson and the offense a fighting chance.

A bye week, then home games against Illinois and Minnesota follow. Strong, physical opponents. It will test Nebraska’s offensive line and its progress.

The Huskers sit at 3-3 overall. The goal of 6 wins and a bowl berth (1st since 2016 Music City Bowl) is in sight. Getting there won’t be easy. But there’s at least a shot.

Which takes us back to the big nasty’s up front. This isn’t your 1990’s Nebraska offensive line. No one expects them to be. But for the Huskers to keep taking steps forward, the guys up front must pull their weight.

Shawn Ekwall

Shawn Ekwall has been a contributing writer for Huskers Illustrated and covers the Huskers and other B1G teams for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on twitter @shawn_ekwall