Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield is passionate about using a huddle and a fullback
New Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield probably didn’t realize it at the time, but he served a whole bunch of red meat to Husker fans on Friday.
Satterfield made a few comments that will get the attention of Nebraska fans everywhere. The days of the no-huddle offense appear to be done, and the endangered football species known as the fullback has been brought back to life. And for good measure, the tight end will have a bigger role in the offense.
The bottom line is Satterfield is building his offense at NU to win in the Big Ten. To win on days like Nov. 19, when the Huskers faced a bitterly cold north wind that made the passing game vs. Wisconsin almost non-existent.
“We are going to be a pro-style offense. We actually get into a huddle, which is kind of taboo these days,” Satterfield said. “We are going to get into a huddle and call football plays. We are going to use tight ends, and we are going to use a fullback. We are going to run the football.
“We understand to be successful in the Big Ten, you’ve got to be able to run the football because you are going to play late in the season in some interesting weather games. You can’t just throw the ball all over the field. “
Satterfield is big believer in the huddle for many reasons
When Satterfield talks about having his offense huddle, you can hear the passion in his voice.
He made a compelling argument about what has been lost in football by not having offenses operate out of a huddle.
“I’m on a crusade about the huddle,” he said. “The huddle is the heart and soul of football.
“You can not teach the leadership moments. You cannot script the leadership moments that happen in the huddle. If you talk to any football player that played in a huddle, they are always going to talk about funny things that happened in a huddle.
“Then how do you ask your quarterback to be a leader if he never talks? Today’s football has become clapping hands for a snap count and the coaches signaling plays on cue cards. Then they complain about the quarterback not being a vocal leader. Well, when does he have a chance to lead? I think in a huddle, and with how we play football, it gives our quarterbacks a chance to be a vocal leader in our offense.”
Nebraska has four Power Five QBs with starting experience
Another big area of discussion for Satterfield is the quarterback position and what direction he wants to take things.
We already know Matt Rhule wants to use the quarterback in the running game, and Satterfield discussed that more on Friday.
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“When you struggle, sometimes you need (the QB run game) to get your offense going,” Satterfield said. “When I’ve become a little too traditional and not having a quarterback run game, we’ve struggled sometimes.
“I don’t want to major in the (quarterback run game), but every now in again, when you can sprinkle it in, I think it only helps you.”
RELATED – Nebraska set to host three transfer portal visitors this weekend
As for who will be Satterfield’s quarterback, that’s another great off-season question. The Huskers have four quarterbacks on their roster with Power Five starting experience.
Casey Thompson, Logan Smothers and Chubba Purdy have all started games at NU, while transfer portal addition Jeff Sims was a 23-game starter for Georgia Tech.
Smothers and Thompson will not be full-go for the spring after off-season shoulder surgery. Purdy’s status is unknown in the wake of a foot injury suffered Nov. 12 at Michigan.
“To have the depth in the quarterback room is really exciting,” Satterfield said. “Obviously I have not gotten to coach any of the guys we have yet. I’m excited about every kid in there. There are a couple of those young guys in there I watched in recruiting when I was at my other place. It’s a good room and a good problem to have.”
