Looking ahead to 2024, it's difficult to think about what the offense will look like.
Running backs and rushing games are good examples.
Heinrich Hurlberg was Nebraska's leading rusher last season with 640 yards on 120 attempts, averaging 4 yards per attempt. Anthony Grant was next with 431 yards on 104 attempts, followed by Emmett Johnson.
The Nebraska offense was so poor in 2023 that looking back and trying to regain some sense of what will happen in 2024 is beyond speculation.
I'll try it anyway.
The bad news is that Anthony Grant is gone.
The good news is that Nebraska has a lot of running backs who can contribute to this offense in a variety of ways.
The biggest question is groping? Will it heal?
Had disappeared:
- Anthony Grant – Appeared in 11 games, gaining 413 yards on 104 carries for a 4.0 average. He scored three touchdowns. He could gain yards out of thin air, but he wasn't much of a threat as a home run hitter.
return:
- Gabe Irvin Jr. – Started two of three games, but suffered a season-ending injury against Northern Illinois. 38 carries for 196 yards, 5.2 yards average. He scored one touchdown. If I had to choose now, I'd probably pick him as the starter in 2024.
- ramir johnson – Like Irvin, Johnson suffered a season-ending injury against Northern Illinois. He appeared in three games, starting one, and gained 65 yards on 12 carries. He had three receptions for nine yards. He gained 102 yards on three kickoff returns, including an exciting 63-yard return in the 2023 season opener against Minnesota.
I've always felt Johnson could be an explosive playmaker, and 2024 will be his last chance to prove it. He is versatile and explosive, but unfortunately prone to injuries.
- Emmett Johnson – As mentioned above, due to injury, the freshman running back will be forced to serve in 2023. He played in 12 games and started six of the last seven. He gained 411 yards on 90 carries, averaging 4.57 yards per carry. Two rushing touchdowns. Seven additional receptions for 46 yards.
He proved himself to be a pretty decent fullback considering the abysmal state of Nebraska's offense last season. He will be key to the running game's success this season. Great combination of size, speed and shiftability – I expect him to finish second behind Irvin.
Quinten Ives – Ives redshirted in 2023, but appeared in four games as a kick returner. He had one 23-yard return at Wisconsin, but otherwise had no record. Can he break through and get carries in 2024? I think there will be quite a few players on the field, and Ives will be one of them.
- Maurice Mazuqua – Mazucua was active in one game last season, gaining six yards on one carry on the final play against Purdue. He transferred to Nebraska last season from West Chester University, a Division II program in Pennsylvania.
- Trevon Kinchen – He redshirted and did not play last season.
- Kenneth Williams – Redshirted and did not play last season.
- Fullback: Janiran Bonner – Last season, he switched from tight end to fullback and made 3 starts in all 12 games. He gained nine yards on four carries and also scored a touchdown. He also had one reception for 5 yards.
- Fullback: Trevor Roos – Did not play in 2023.
Reception:
Nebraska did not recruit a running back in 2024, but there was a running back transfer.
Dante Dowdell – Originally a four-star recruit out of Picayune, Mississippi, Dowdell spent his first season at the University of Oregon, appearing in six games and gaining 90 yards on 17 carries for 5.3 yards per carry. He's a pretty big back at 6-2, 215 pounds, and has three years of eligibility remaining.
I don't think they selected him just for depth.
overview
Nebraska's rushing offense ranked 39th in the nation last season and second in the Big Ten behind only Penn State. They averaged 176.83 yards and 16 touchdowns per game (tied for 89th nationally and tied for 8th in the Big Ten). His 4.44 yards per carry average was tied for 54th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten.
The rushing game could definitely be improved, but gaining yards hasn't been a big issue. There was some turnover.
Nebraska finished 133rd (last) in lost fumbles last season. Last season, they had 31 fumbles (14 lost), 10 more than Texas State's penultimate fumbles with 21.
Until that issue is resolved, there is no point in putting anyone on the field. Nebraska has plenty of depth at running back, so the ball shouldn't be carried by a guy who fumbles in 2024.
Irvin, Johnson, Johnson, and Dowdell give Nebraska considerable depth, but the injury-prone nature of some of the players listed may require an asterisk.
The current leading backs are Irvin and Emmett Johnson. Could Dowdell be in the mix?
I like fixing rushing games the same way I like fixing turnover problems.
