Promising Prospects From Huskers Spring Game
The Nebraska Huskers played in the annual red-white spring game on Saturday, April 11, showing off their new talent - both coaches and players.
The attendance to the Huskers’ spring game exceeded any other team’s by a country mile, with a whopping 77,000 big red fans in the stands. However, it comes as no surprise that Nebraska’s attendance was huge, considering the unbroken streak of sold-out games ongoing since 1962. The Huskers spring game was pure football, with none of the extra, silly additions often seen in them.
All eyes were on new head coach Mike Riley, who took the reins from Bo Pelini in December. After 12 years of successful coaching at Oregon State (8 bowl appearances and 93 career wins), he’s taking a no-nonsense view on his first year as head coach.
The expectations are high following the successes of the previous coaching staff and considering the hype that is unavoidably built by Nebraska football fans as a prelude to every season. However, Riley is aware that it will take a lot of work to live up to the previous standard and groundwork must be established after the big changes to the team.
Those changes aren’t just in coaching staff, however. While junior quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. will return for his senior year in the upcoming season, a key part of the Huskers’ offense has moved on; explosive running back Ameer Abdullah is going to the NFL draft.
Abdullah’s talent was a core part of the offensive playcalling last year, and many of the yards on the board were his. Now he’s moving on to the NFL (the Atlanta Falcons have already stated that they’re considering him) and the prospects for his replacement are uncertain.
There is no definite frontrunner from the running backs at Nebraska’s disposal. Terrell Newby is a promising candidate, with an average of 7.9 yards per rush in the spring game. However, Imani Cross had a certain explosiveness and Graham Nabity claimed the most total yards. With how evenly matched they all are, it’s a toss-up for which of those halfbacks will take the starting position next year.
With the loss of Bo Pelini and Ameer Abdullah, the following year will certainly be a trying one in Nebraska football. Their schedule is by no means easy, with teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin looming. However, under the leadership of esteemed head coach Mike Riley, the Huskers may just find their footing before the upcoming season.
