Mickey Joseph says Huskers still searching for 'their best five' on the offensive line
Mickey Joseph wants better play from Nebraska’s offensive line. For that to happen, he’ll need to find the “right” starting 5.
Joesph said Tuesday that the Cornhuskers were still looking for stability on the offensive line. While Nebraska is sitting pretty in the B1G West standings following its comeback 14-13 victory over Rutgers, that all could change against a more stable opponent.
The Huskers need better play from quarterback Casey Thompson, but the Texas transfer needs ample protection. This season, Thompson has been sacked 15 times while Nebraska has allowed a total of 16 QB takedowns in 6 games.
Mickey Joseph says Nebraska has to "find their best five" for the O-line.
Adds that “We’ve got to give them some help with the play-calling and the protection.”
— Luke Mullin (@LjsLuke) October 11, 2022
Protecting a quarterback is one part of the equation, but finding stability in the run game is the 2nd. Nebraska ranks 8th among B1G programs in rushing offense, averaging 160.2 yards per game on the ground. The Huskers also feature a potential 1,000-yard runner in Anthony Grant, who started the season off on a tear.
Last week, Grant totaled 47 rushing yards against the Scarlet Knights. Without a stable run game, Thompson was forced to throw the football 36 times, leading to a pair of touchdowns and a pair of picks.
Joseph said the best teams in the league can mix and match their lines with little to no issues. While serving on LSU’s national champion staff in 2019, Joseph said the Tigers would have a different starting 5 each week. It didn’t matter. LSU dominated its competition en route to a national title.
Mickey Joseph says the offensive line could be re-arranged again, and he recalls a 2019 season at LSU where they had a different starting five every week.
— Luke Mullin (@LjsLuke) October 11, 2022
The Huskers will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on Purdue this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. E.T.