Matt Rhule confirms Nebraska is going with Heinrich Haarberg at quarterback

Nebraska secured their first Big Ten Conference win of the Matt Rhule era this weekend defeating Illinois 20-7 on the road Saturday.

Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg took over the reins of the offense following an injury suffered by starter Jeff Sims in Week 2 of the season and was crucial in the Cornhuskers’ first conference win of the season. And ahead of their next matchup, Rhule revealed that Haarberg would remain as the team’s starter despite Sims improved health.

“I think we’re working hard to get Jeff to be the best that he can be, we’re working hard to get Heinrich and Chubba [Purdy] to be the best that they can be. We’ll play with Heinrich for now, Jeff is ready to go on a moment’s notice,” Rhule said Monday.

The expectations were high for Sims this offseason as he transferred to Nebraska from Georgia Tech, but his first two starts of the season were riddled with turnovers, and ended with an ankle injury that would sideline him. However, Rhule also revealed that he wouldn’t be opposed to potentially playing both quarterbacks in the future.

“We mix him [Sims] in with the ones a lot at practice, I would have no problem ever having a package to play two [quarterbacks]. I’m not saying we would do that, but I have no problem with the way he works,” Rhule said. “But to me Heinrich’s played well, Heinrich’s done some good things and so he’ll be the starter.”

Since his injury in Week 2 versus Colorado, Sims has only appeared once in a game for Nebraska on a two-yard run versus Louisiana Tech. But there’s no question Haarberg has been solid for the Cornhuskers as their signal caller.

Haarberg has been effective with his arm and legs this season as a dual-threat quarterback, leading the Cornhuskers in passing and rushing yards this season in all three of their wins. In his five game appearances this season (four of which were starts) he’s thrown for 631 yards and rushed for 352, scoring a combined seven touchdowns through the air and ground.

“I think Heinrich had a really good week last week, he was still a little beat up from that game,” Rhule said referring to their Week 5 matchup with Michigan. “That was a hard-fought game, he went out there and battled each day to practice last week, so did Jeff, so I think we have a good feel as a team like hey, what do those guys do well?”

Like most quarterbacks tend to be, Haarberg did not have his strongest performance versus the No. 2 ranked Wolverines. But he bounced back on Saturday with 236 all-purpose yards to help the Cornhuskers secure a much-needed win in conference play.

Haarberg will look to build on his performance this Saturday when Nebraska takes on Northwestern, and who knows, maybe Sims will make an appearance as well.