NEBRASKA CITY - College football analyst Damon Benning told his Big Red Buzz audience Thursday at Valentino’s Restaurant  that a turn-around for Nebraska involves strength and training, communication and discipline.

He said former Nebraska coach Mike Riley started out in Lincoln by making the best of the talent on hand and used the quarterback run game, but in subsequent years tried to adapt the talent to what he knew.

Former coach Scott Frost tried to use what he knew from Oregon’s spread offense and combine it with Nebraska power.

Benning said he senses that in his first two years, Frost tried to recruit guys who could grow to fit his vision, but panicked as the losses piled up. He began to recruit guys that seemed to already fit roles.

 He said the loss of super seniors and NFL-caliber talent can expose a program that is relying on an influx of players that already fit the bill.

Benning: “We need a guy who can cast a clear vision on the development structure.”

Benning said he believes Nebraska could be competing for a division championship by 2024 with proper leadership.