Five storylines to watch in Nebraska's Red-White Spring Game
Today’s annual Red-White Spring Game marks the unofficial debut of the Matt Rhule era at Nebraska.
There will be plenty of things to watch this afternoon at Memorial Stadium, but here are five storylines we’ll be keeping a close eye on…
All eyes are on the quarterbacks
Even with incumbent starter Casey Thompson (shoulder) sidelined for most of spring ball, the competition at quarterback remained a top talking point.
Adding Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims brought immediate competition for Thompson’s starting job. Then the sudden emergence of Heinrich Haarberg added another layer to the conversation.
How Sims, Haarberg, and others like Chubba Purdy and Richard Torres fare today could set the tone for when the QB battle ramps up this fall with Thompson and Logan Smothers back in the mix.
The first look at Tony White’s Nebraska defense
While much of the conversation this offseason has centered around the offense, there is just as much intrigue on the other side of the ball.
New defensive coordinator Tony White took over and immediately instilled a hallmark of versatility within the unit. Crosstraining at multiple positions was commonplace at all three levels this spring, which should be displayed this afternoon.
Given that Rhule wants the final spring scrimmage to look like “a traditional game,” it will be interesting to see how much White dials it up with blitzes and various packages.
A spring game with real football
Whether it was lopsided rosters pitting the starters vs. the backups or “thud tackling” that more resembled two-hand touch, recent Nebraska spring games have left much to be desired.
As long as the available roster numbers hold up, Rhule plans to change that this afternoon. In trying to make the Red-White game look like a fall contest, the Huskers will play with live tackling from start to finish. That includes the quarterbacks being open for hits.
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There has been a lot of talk about the increased level of physicality under Rhule this spring. For the 60,000-plus fans in attendance, that hopefully translates inside Memorial Stadium this afternoon.
Who will be the other starting cornerback?
Part of today’s spring game format includes Nebraska’s first-team offense facing the No. 1 defense. Most of the projected starting spots are pretty clear at this point, but one position on defense remains a mystery.
The Huskers have one locked-in starting cornerback in Quinton Newsome. But who will be the other top corner opposite of him?
Malcolm Hartzog is the returning incumbent at the spot, but he’s been crosstraining at safety this spring and could earn a starting job there. If he’s at safety again today, it will be notable who gets the nod at corner between guys like Braxton Clark, Tommi Hill, Omar Brown, Javier Morton, or someone else.
Related: Former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich returning to Lincoln for NU Spring Game
Frank Solich’s return to Memorial Stadium
It’s been nearly 20 years since Frank Solich last publicly appeared inside Memorial Stadium. That will change today when the former Husker player and coach is honored during the spring game.
It will mark his first return to campus since being fired as NU’s head coach in 2003. Athletic director Trev Alberts said Solich and his family would be on-hand for the event, adding that there would be “another special announcement” during the game regarding Solich.
Solich went 58-19 in his six seasons at the helm with the Huskers, going to six straight bowl games. That included winning the 1999 Big 12 Conference title and taking Nebraska to its last national championship appearance in the 2001 Rose Bowl.
