Matt Rhule details how running back practice has gone replacing Gabe Ervin

Nebraska has been plagued with injuries with this season, and the running back room is no exception. On Thursday, Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule revealed how the backfield unit has handled its unfortunate circumstances.

“It’s been a lot of work,” Rhule said. “Anthony [Grant] and Emmett [Johnson] have obviously been in it for a while. [Kwinten Ives], he’s in the meetings but he’s been on the scout team reading cards, so he’s got some work to do to catch up.”

Nebraska’s remaining running backs will have big shoes to fill. On Monday, Husker Online’s Sean Callahan reported that running backs Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining injuries, Johnson with an injured shoulder and Ervin with an injured hip.

Through three games, Ervin led the Cornhuskers in rushing yards, boasting 196 yards on 38 carries. The productive back averaged 5.2 yards per carry and had one touchdown. While Ervin was the most significant loss, Johnson is no slouch.

Johnson recorded 66 rushing yards this season. However, the junior RB found every inch in Nebraska’s loss to Colorado in Week 2. Now, Johnson won’t have a chance to capitalize on his momentum. Nebraska will need all the help it can get.

“We anticipate Louisiana Tech being a high-blitz team. They’re a high third down pressure team,” Rhule said. “Obviously, we have a running quarterback, so you you can use some things in the run game even on third down to offset pressures.”

Nebraska will desperately need its run game to find a way around Louisiana Tech’s tricky defense. The Cornhuskers average 209 rushing yards per game, ranking 21st in the country. Meanwhile, the team averages just 130.3 passing yards per contest, the fourth-worst in FBS.

Rhule claims his running back unit knows its importance and are working to ensure success. Anthony Grant will likely lead the charge in the new-look backfield.

“It’s been overtime work on [the running back unit],” Rhule said. “There’s a lot of things that we know we’re doing, but whoever is ready to go versus standard to play to, I expect them to play to that standard.

“If you’re the tailback, you have to protect the ball. And [Grant] has 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.”

Nebraska will square off against Louisiana Tech at 2:30 p.m. CDT. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.