NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska Radio Network Analyst Damon Benning told the Big Red Buzz audience at Valentino’s Restaurant in Nebraska City Thursday Husker football reaches the halfway mark of its 2024 campaign with an obvious commitment to the running game.

Benning: “I think this is the whole key to this football team. You want running the football to be more of a mindset right now than an actual productive thing. Do I want both, absolutely. I want it to be the mindset and I want it to be really productive. They are going to get the guys to be productive and they are going to develop the guys to be productive, but you can’t just get out of bed and say I want to run the ball. Right?”

He used the scoreless second half of the Rutgers game as an example.

In the third quarter, Nebraska had 14 plays and chose to run 64 percent of the time, which is close to its season percentage. The Huskers gained 31 yards rushing while converting just two third downs.

Nebraska had 19 carries for 71 yards in the entire second half, with no running back going for over three yards in the final drives.

Benning said the run game was not overly productive, but it did scream that Nebraska is committed to the run.

He said the mindset helps a team with a freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola and freshman receiver Jacory Barney, as well as players getting career-high playing time such as running back Dante Dowdell and receivers Isaiah Neyor and Jamal Banks.

Benning expects the running mindset to help offensive players continue to improve as the season progresses. He credits the versatility at running back with Dowdell, Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson and Janiran Bonner for Nebraska’s early success.

He said Nebraska’s running mindset fits well with the team’s deep passing game.  Nine different Huskers had receptions in the Rutgers game with pass plays of more than 25 yards to Rahmir Johnson, Barney, Jaylen Lloyd and Bank.

Benning questioned the audience about points the team has left on the field so far this season and said he expects fewer missed scoring opportunities as the young players gain experience.

Benning also predicts Nebraska will become bowl eligible on Oct. 19, when the team hosts undefeated and 18th-ranked Indiana.

GBR