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Nebraska defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 6, securing their first B1G win of the season and the first of Matt Rhule’s tenure. Rhule’s squad improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in B1G play.
Ups and downs were expected in Rhule’s first season, so the record isn’t all that surprising. This team won just 4 games last season, so it’s hard to be mad sitting at 3 wins through Week 6.
Now, the Huskers will enter the bye week on a positive note. Let’s dive into the stock report following Week 6.
Player of the Week: Heinrich Haarberg
Haarberg’s stat sheet does not look overly impressive. The QB completed 12/24 passes for 154 yards with no TDs and 1 INT.
However, Haarberg was impressive with his feet, rushing 18 times for 82 yards and 1 TD. Haarberg was essentially the only source of offense for the Huskers. The QB was the leading rusher and passer for the team.
Haarberg is unlikely to impress by throwing the ball this season. However, if he limits turnovers and runs like this, he can help the Huskers win some games.
Newcomer of the Week: Billy Kemp IV
The Huskers didn’t have many freshmen or recent transfers contribute much against Illinois. So, we’ll give this one to the Virginia transfer Billy Kemp IV. Kemp caught 3 catches for 26 yards in the game. Kemp’s 3 catches tied with Thomas Fidone II for the most on the team.
When you’re a Nebraska receiver in 2023, you don’t have many chances to shine. However, Kemp is a good player and moved the chains a couple of times.
Biggest surprise: The defensive bounce-back
The Illinois offense has not exactly been lighting the world on fire, but the passing attack has been surprisingly efficient. The Illini have the No. 57 passing offense in the nation and had averaged just under 20 points per game.
The Huskers were coming off of a performance against Michigan in which the Wolverines racked up 436 total yards and 45 points. It would have been easy for the Huskers’ defense to pack it in after a blowout loss, but instead, the team had arguably its best performance of the season. The Illini were held to just 21 rushing yards.
Biggest concern: Lack of offensive options
No matter who the Huskers have had at QB this season, the passing attack has struggled. The Huskers have the No. 128 passing offense in the nation. The team can run, but problems arise when playing a good run defense like Michigan.
The Nebraska defense and rushing attack can be enough to beat the lower-level B1G teams, but the options are limited when playing good defenses. Unfortunately, the Huskers still have to play Purdue, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Developing trend: Kicking woes continue
The Huskers have a true freshman kicker in Tristan Alvano. Alvano still seems to have potential, but he has struggled mightily as a freshman. Alvano has hit just 3/7 field goals this season and has a long of just 32 yards. It obviously doesn’t matter too much if the team gets blown out, but in close games, Alvano’s issues could easily cost a win.
Hopefully, the young kicker is just getting adjusted to the college game. With several B1G games remaining, there will undoubtedly be a time when Alvano is called upon.
Key stat: 21
The Huskers allowed just 21 rushing yards in Week 6. The Huskers now boast the No. 8 rushing defense in the nation.
Illinois is not the best rushing team in the world, but holding a conference foe to 21 yards rushing will be impressive no matter what. If Rhule can maintain an elite run defense once the offense improves, the Huskers will win a lot of games, and soon.
First impressions for Week 8
The Huskers will be off in Week 7, so instead we look toward Week 8. The Huskers next game will be at home in Lincoln against the Northwestern Wildcats.
This is a great matchup for the Huskers. As mentioned above, the Huskers are going to have a hard time against teams who stop the run. Luckily, the Wildcats are not one of those teams.
Northwestern has the No. 107 run defense in the nation, allowing 172.3 yards per game on the ground. This means the Huskers should easily be able to control the time of possession and establish the ground game.
Northwestern can’t stop the run, and they can’t really run the ball either. The Wildcats are the No. 120 run game in the nation, averaging just 103 yards per game on the ground. The Wildcats can’t really pass the ball either, sporting the No. 99 passing attack in the nation.
Teams with elite ground games or dynamic pass attacks can expose the Nebraska defense. Fortunately, the Wildcats have neither and should struggle to move the ball against this stout unit.
Expect Rhule to try and establish the run early. The Huskers need to go on long drives that end in touchdowns. This feels like the type of game where the first team to 20 points should win.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Tradition. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.