The first Red-White Spring Game of the Matt Rhule era was one of transition.
Nebraska football remains in the transition period of a new coaching staff taking over returning players with new ones added in. The players are all still learning the system; the coaches are all learning the players’ strengths and weaknesses.
Rhule intended for Saturday to be likes against likes, meaning the ones against the ones and twos against twos, and so on. That resulted in fairly even play from the teams, though turnovers aided White taking a 21-7 victory over Red.
Jeff Sims led all quarterbacks with his 9-for-13 for 139 yards performance. The Georgia Tech transfer added 14 rushing yards.
The other QBs to see the field were Heinrich Haarberg, Chubba Purdy, Richard Torres, and Jack Woche. Casey Thompson and Logan Smothers were not full participants this spring and did not play Saturday.
Players that stood out were Billy Kepm IV at wide receiver, Rahmir Johnson and Anthony Grant at running back, MJ Sherman at linebacker, and Princewill Umanmielen on the defensive line.
Rhule will have plenty to work on with this team between now and the season. In particular, the eight fumbles on the day with six of them being turned over, as well as the running game producing just 2.7 yards per carry.
All in all, this was a successful first Spring Game for Rhule and company. More than 66,000 were on hand to see new coaches, new and returning players, former Husker player and coach Frank Solich honored, and the unveiling of the new Herbie Husker mascot. Only 131 days until the season-opener at Minnesota.