Matt Rhule expects Anthony Grant to step up after injuries in Nebraska backfield

Anthony Grant was the featured running back for Nebraska last year under the previous regime. He led the roster by a wide margin with 915 yards and six touchdowns, potentially setting him up for another big year under new coach Matt Rhule.

That hasn’t been the case. However, Grant’s role is likely to change in light of recent events, Rhule said this week.

Nebraska is now without both Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson for the rest of the season due to injuries, Rhule confirmed Monday. Ervin led all rusher through three games with 196 yards while Johnson had 65 yards through the first few games. Now that they’re both out for the year, Grant could step up and become the main back once again.

As for why Grant hasn’t seen the success he had last year, Rhule said it’s not because he did anything wrong, necessarily. The decisions come from how players look in practice, and Grant earned playing time last week because of how he practiced.

“I don’t think he’s been through anything,” Rhule said. “There’s a lot of people last week talked about, ‘Was he in the doghouse?’ If you’re the tailback, you have to protect the ball. It’s simple. If you’re the tailback, you have to protect the ball. And he’s worked on it. That’s my biggest thing with Anthony. We all have weaknesses or things we’re not doing well. Our program is built on correcting those things. After last game, after the Colorado game, I told Anthony, ‘If you have a great week, you’re gonna play this week.’ And Anthony had a great week.”

Matt Rhule on Anthony Grant’s playing time: ‘I don’t play guys because of what they did last year’

Now that Nebraska is down both lead running backs, Rhule said he hopes Grant steps up. But he also acknowledged Grant also has to keep control of the football. Against Minnesota, he had a key fumble late in the game that continued a trend from last year.

However, Rhule said last season doesn’t matter. It’s all about how players look this year in practice. Grant is looking better, therefore he had already earned playing time before the injuries.

“I don’t play guys because of what they did last year,” Rhule said. “That’s not me. It’s not fantasy football. I play guys based upon what they do in practice. That’s how you develop players. That’s how a guy like Heinrich is ready for his moment. Anthony had a great week of practice. You can see his natural ability int he games. It’s his show now. It’s time for him to go. It was his show last year, so it’s his show now. But at the same time, hopefully he developed and improved his ball security. That was the issue last year in the Illinois game, it was an issue in the Minnesota game.

“My job is to take players and show them what they’re not doing well so they improve those things. Hopefully, Anthony’s improved that because when he’s right, he’s right and he’s really good. I think he’ll be a dynamic playmaker for us on offense and he’s gonna step up.”