Rohr’s Four: Four reactions, impressions, reflections, concerns and questions after Nebraska’s 34-31 win over Maryland.
1-They found a way, again.
If I told you entering the Maryland game that Nebraska would be minus-3 in turnover margin, that Dylan Raiola would throw three interceptions, that one of those interceptions would be returned for a touchdown, that the Cornhuskers would give up a 17-0 run in a two-quarter stretch of the game, or that the Terrapins’ freshman quarterback Malik Washington would enter the fourth quarter 23-for-31 for 207 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and only sacked once, you’d be a little worried about the outcome of the game, wouldn’t you?
And yet, Nebraska found a way again. On the road, against a talented (though undisciplined-eight penalties, 100 yards) Big Ten opponent, they found a way. And, what’s more, they had to come back to do it. This wasn’t merely taking the air out of the ball and hanging on for dear life. This was sitting on your own seven early in the fourth quarter having done precious little on offense since cashing in two short field to build a 10-point lead. Another sack, another interception, and the picture of Nebraska football is very, very different right now.
But, they put together a drive. A playmaker made a play. The drive fizzled at the 10, but they were still able to post three points and cut the deficit to 31-27 midway through the fourth quarter. Maryland pounded away with DeJuan Williams. Four straight runs pushed the ball twenty yards. Facing third-and-five at their 45, the Terps threw it to Williams, but Marques Watson-Trent closed the door quickly and forced Maryland to punt. Then Raiola went to work. After one of his worst days as a Husker, with three interceptions, he dealt the ball to Luke LIndenmeyer, Nyziah Hunter, Heinrich Haarberg, and Dane Key, in a keyhole-sized window to post the go-ahead touchdown.
How many times has Nebraska lost this game? How many times have the Huskers been unable to steer out of the skid, or make the stop on a drive to give the ball back to the offense, or have the offense go on that drive to give them the lead? Now, in back-to-back week, Nebraska has had to win a game late, and they’ve gotten it done. As Matt Rhule said, the narrative that the Huskers can’t win close games is dead. It doesn’t mean they’ll win every close game, but at least the idea that NU can’t handle a close game is done. They now have three games where they’ve had to make a play late to win.
2-The age of Emmett
Emmett Johnson was part of a four-back pack last season. He seemed the most complete of the four, but didn’t have the strength of Dante Dowdell or Gabe Irvin, or the speed of Rahmir Johnson. But, by the end of the season, not only had Johnson asserted himself as the top running back, he had someone who knew how to use his skills calling plays, Dana Holgorsen. Johnson’s versatility was on full display Saturday. Between the tackles. As a receiver. Picking up blitzes. Big plays to spark rallies. Little ones to keep chains moving. He did it all.
He’s clearly better than last year. He’s stronger between the tackles, able to break first contact. And it seems like his vision has taken a large leap forward. Sometimes, Johnson would miss clear running lanes. Not this year. He sees where the holes are, and he hits them hard.
His explosiveness is where he’s really improved. He used to be a guy on whom you could rely to get four yards, every carry. Not less, but not many more. Now, he’s shown that he can hit the home run, if the play is there. Consistent work in games has let Johnson gain confidence and knowledge, and has led to this leap forward. Credit to Johnson to sticking with it, and credit to Holgorsen for shining this gem. And with the Huskers heading to Johnson’s hometown of Minneapolis Friday, anybody else seeing a big game from #21?
3-What is it with Dylan and October?
Nebraska won despite one of Raiola’s most erratic games as a Husker: 20-for-29, 260 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions. Put Maryland and Michigan State together, and Raiola is 36-for-53, 454 yards, five touchdowns, four interceptions. Last year in three October games, Raiola hit just 60 percent of his passes for 520 yards, no touchdowns, five interceptions.
Naturally, Raiola’s numbers were going to take a hit from non-conference play. 80 percent completions are virtually unsustainable. But his accuracy seems to have waned some. He still has difficulty walking the fine line between looking for the big play downfield and throwing the ball into trouble. And certainly, Big Ten defenses have a full book on Raiola now after 19 starts at quarterback at Nebraska. For whatever reason, Raiola’s productivity takes a hit in the month of pumpkin spice and trick or treating.
Now, we should note: Raiola was good in the fourth quarter against the Terps, so not all is lost. He was 8-for-12, 103 yards, one touchdown, and led two scoring drives. But the two swoons in the middle two quarters of the two October games is a strange and somewhat inexplicable trend Raiola and Nebraska will have to kick if this season is to be as good as everyone hopes it’ll be.
4-The Nittany Lion in the room
While the Huskers were authoring their comeback in College Park, the mood was less than happy in Happy Valley. Northwestern stunned Penn State in a 22-21 loss that brought the Nittany Lions’ skid to three games, and ended the generally successful coaching tenure of James Franklin. Schadenfreude gave way to shock as Penn State dismissed Franklin, who coached in the national semifinals last year, with the Lions writing a $45 million check to make him go away. Just 15 days before, Penn State was seen as a front-runner for the national championship. Now, they were canning a coach who’d done basically everything for Penn State except win That Game. The big game, the game that dominates the news cycle all Saturday. The game that gets alums and fans dreaming of a national championship.
As Franklin was dismissed, eyes naturally turned to Nebraska coach Matt Rhule. Not only did he graduate from Penn State, he played for them. He was a walk-on linebacker at Linebacker U., a State College native who had made good. To boot, the athletic director that hired him at Temple, Pat Kraft, is now the AD at PSU, and they remain friends. And, for those Penn Staters not satisfied with winning 10 games a year and going to a good bowl game, he’s a direct descendant of the Joe Paterno coaching tree and Penn State’s championship past.
It’s been a long time since a coach left Nebraska for another job. Pete Elliott did it after one stumbling year in the 50s, racing off to Cal rather than deal with the Oklahoma machine. There were feelers put out for Husker coaches, sure. Tom Osborne was a candidate at Colorado in 1978 before staying. Bo Pelini was linked to a couple jobs before staying and eventually being fired. But, for the most part, you either hang on to the Huskers as long as you can, or you’re shown the door.
Of course nothing can come easy for Nebraska football any more. Even when the culture is strong. Even when the locker room is focused and unified. Even when the schedule is favorable.
Now, the rest of the season will have the weird subtext of “What does this mean for Matt Rhule’s candidacy at PSU?”. This is not Matt Rhule’s fault, of course. But it just complicates what should be an uncomplicated joy of a second half of a football season. It’s going to be a real test for the culture, which appears to be very strong, for this team to stay focused.
And yet, this is college football today. There are so many moving parts. No one stays anywhere for long, even the players, who are limited to five years of college football. There will be battles to keep the top players on the roster once the season ends. As Rhule pointed out, it’s a good sign when your people are being targeted by other schools, because it means you’re winning. But this where assistant coaches stayed for 20 years rather than try their hand at a lesser program. It’s a real adjustment to consider bidding wars now for every viable member of the football program. The focus and culture of this program will be tested in a big way with six games to go and a decision for Matt Rhule seemingly looming immediately after the regular season.