Big Red Buzz: Get the ground game going
Benning says two backs would affirm Nebraska's commitment to the run game
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA CITY – Husker Radio Network analyst Damon Benning told his Big Red Buzz crowd at Valentino’s Restaurant in Nebraska City that Nebraska’s team mentality is unpredictable, its defensive backs need to win more 50/50 contests against receivers to free up safeties for run support and its offense needs more backs in the backfield if the quarterback cannot run.
His comments came after backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was the team’s leading rusher in a 56 to 7 walloping from Indiana and days before another Big Noon kickoff against a ranked opponent.
He said he was not upset by comments from Head Coach Matt Rhule that he did not see the beat down coming or Offensive Coordinator Marcus Satterfield’s gaucherie over ideal yards per play, but took notice of Satterfield’s seventh-game admission that he needs to be more committed to the run game.
Benning: “In the very same thought process he said I can’t just be running the ball to run the ball and start second and nine. Far be it for me. … He’s in the position he is and I’m in the position I am for a reason. … sometimes you have to do things because of that C-word I talked about a couple weeks ago – commitment.
… I would long for the days of 10 carries for 51 yards in the third quarter and nine minutes time of possession and not score a point than to give Indiana the ball for 2 minutes and 20 seconds and have them score 14 points.”
He credited coach Satterfield for mentioning personnel when talking about the running game and cast doubt on a rushing philosophy that has one running back on the side of quarterback in the shotgun when the quarterback can not run.
Although Nebraska will be without running back Rahmir Johnson against Ohio State, Benning said commitment to the running game could demand a second back in the backfield with quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Benning: “If you really want to keep him safe and build around him, you have to get the run game going. And getting the ground game going means sometimes Dylan has to be under center, sometimes they have to put another back with him.”
Ohio State 35, Nebraska 13.
GBR