NEBRASKA CITY – Valentino’s Restaurant in Nebraska City was packed Thursday for a special session of Big Red Buzz where analyst Damon Benning offered his thoughts on the sudden departure of Trev Alberts from the athletic director post and the certainty of the “Let's Rhule!” attitude among Husker fans.

Benning said he wished Alberts had stayed at his alma mater, but he understands that the job was never meant to be Alberts' life work.

Benning: “I’m not cool with it, but I understand.”

He said the immediate effects were a summation of a national search by picking a leader from the guy already in place, Dr. Jeffrey Gold, and hiring an athletic director who thinks a lot like Head Football Coach Matt Rhule.

Despite a four-game losing streak to end last season without a bowl bid, Benning said fans are remaining optimistic because they have a sense of where the football team is going.

 

He assured the Big Red Buzz audience that the quarterback competition this spring is real with the eight starts behind Heinrich Haarberg as an undeniable factor, along with the “Mahomes-esque” presence of Dylan Raiola and the flourishing Daniel Kaelin.

Benning: “Don’t eye roll or think they are blowing smoke when they tell you nothing is really declared yet because, in a spring like this, where you aren’t taking QBs to the ground or having these exotic blitz packages … The quarterback thing could take some time.

 

"I go back to last year when Haarberg was getting ready to make his second start and we thought (Jeff) Sims was healthy enough to get looks and the coach said you never really know about quarterbacks until they actually take snaps."

He said the guys were playing differently for Haarberg.

Benning said the work ethic that Haarberg embodies is what Rhule wants on the team.

Benning: “This guy will lay it on the line, every day … He is impossible not to cheer for.”

Other comments:

  • Running backs: “I’m still an E.J. guy. It makes me mad that people are dismissive of him.” (Emmett Johnson)

  • Wideouts: “Who is my favorite 'doesn’t need a babysitter guy' I told you about last year before the season even started, the surprise of that group is going to be Jaylen Lloyd. And it’s not because he is a Westside guy.”

  • Tight ends: “It’s really good in that tight end room because he has some real tough guys. … they’ve got options.” Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield is coaching tight ends.

  • Defensive line: “Unbelievable.”

  • Offensive line: “They are a massive offensive line. This time it’s not weight. Remember I’m the guy who said Nebraska is too heavy … they are much lighter and much faster.”

  • Linebackers: “I love Javin Wright. He’s playing inside a lot more. He’s massive. He’s kind of embraced the darkness too. He used to be one of those pretty guys who liked to be out in space, come off the edge. But they can use him inside and  he gives you a ton of athleticism.”

  • Secondary: “That other cornerback spot is going to be interesting.”

  • Offense: “It’s going to look like a real offense. You see all those clips of people catching deep balls. Does anyone ask where the defensive backs are because they are supposed to be good. Right? Offense will be okay.”

  • Defense: “When you have a chance to scoop or get on-top-of or an interception, can you get those? … They are gong to be hard to run the ball on. They should be very good against the run." ... could be the best in the conference.