1 week Ago
LINCOLN, Neb. — This spring on the practice field is part of the second stage in Dana Holgorsen’s revamp of the Nebraska offense. Holgorsen arrived in November from the outside and coached three games as the play caller and coordinator.
He hardly had time to learn names. In some cases, he did not. Nebraska managed its best offensive showing of 2024 in a 44-point outburst against Wisconsin, sandwiched between up-and-down moments at USC and Iowa.
Advertisement The next step began ahead of the 20-15 Nebraska win against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. Through nine of 15 practices in the spring, Holgorsen’s apparent comfort level around Osborne Complex has skyrocketed. He’s happy with the Huskers’ work this month.
“Everybody’s getting reps,” Holgorsen said Thursday. “Everybody’s getting looked at. Everybody’s getting evaluated.
” Players are emerging at every level. Alongside coach Matt Rhule and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas, Holgorsen has noticed Dylan Raiola’s development in leadership. “Dylan is just next level, telling everybody what to do, making checks, changing protections,” Holgorsen said.
The quarterback rates among the lowest of the Huskers’ concerns. Here are four more Huskers on offense who are trending up with six practices left in the spring. Running back Kwinten Ives: Ives scored his first career touchdown on a 2-yard run against Boston College in December.
And it triggered something in the sophomore from Beverly, N.J. “He saw that he belonged,” Nebraska running backs coach E.
J. Barthel said. “He got that little taste in his mouth.
” With Rahmir Johnson, the Pinstripe Bowl MVP, out of eligibility and Gabe Ervin and Dante Dowdell gone via the transfer portal, Nebraska needed a back to stand up behind projected starter Emmett Johnson. Ives has taken hold of the No. 2 spot.
When Holgorsen got to Nebraska, he said, the Huskers couldn’t rely on Ives. But in December, something clicked with the 6-foot-3 back. He has improved his physicality as a runner and in pass protection.
And Ives has worked to maintain his weight between 208 and 218 pounds, according to Barthel. He weighed 214 on Thursday. “He can run a route like a small back,” Barthel said.
“That’s the uniqueness of the kid. He’s got flexibility. He’s got twitch.
He’s got speed. He’s got power. I’m really impressed, but now he’s gotta go do it.
It’s his time.” Advertisement Ives’ development has stabilized the backfield. “I know we’re in a different world with the portal,” Barthel said.
“Everyone’s looking for an immediate fix-type deal. But traditionally, it’s about development. And development comes from repetition.
” Wide receiver Nyziah Hunter: The transfer from Cal made multiple plays Thursday in practice that Holgorsen had waited for weeks to see from these Huskers. Once, he got behind a cornerback on a go-route. “That was encouraging,” Holgorsen said.
But more than Hunter’s explosiveness — evident as he caught 40 passes for 578 yards a year ago — Holgorsen has been looking for physicality. Hunter’s got it, at 6-2 and 210 pounds. “I’ve coached 210-pound guys that don’t play physical,” Holgorsen said.
“Nyziah does. At this level, you’re going to have to run through stuff. You’re going to have to make contested catches with people on your back.
” After Hunter, from Salinas, Calif., got to Nebraska, the cold weather tested him. And he had not experienced offseason work as hard as the Huskers’ mat drills.
Holgorsen noticed his struggles. But Hunter, a third-year sophomore, has elevated his performance to fit at the top of the wide receiver group with Dane Key, a transfer from Kentucky, and returnees Jacory Barney and Janiran Bonner. Freshmen Cortez Mills and Isaiah Mozee will fit in the playing rotation, Holgorsen said, but they need to get stronger.
For Hunter, the initial attraction to Lincoln involved Rhule and the Nebraska brand. The Huskers’ win over Colorado in September made a positive impact on Hunter. And when he entered the portal, Raiola reached out to him immediately.
“He’s a dawg,” Hunter said. “He’s that guy, on and off the field.” Hunter, too, is making his mark at Nebraska with a personality that appeals to teammates.
Offensive lineman Justin Evans: Nebraska needs a center to replace two-year starter Ben Scott. Evans, a 13-game starter at left guard last year, appears a fit. Advertisement “I’m very happy with his mentality,” Holgersen said.
“He’s taken over a leadership role.” Holgorsen said he didn’t hear Evans speak for two months late last season. In making the move to center, Evans had no choice but to get vocal.
He has taken well to the position and has built a sizable gap over the likes of Sam Sledge and Jason Maciejczak. “He’s always been kind of an undersized overachiever,” Holgorsen said. “You’ve gotta get that mindset out of your head.
You are a dude.” At 6-1 and 315 pounds as a junior from East Orange, N.J.
, Evans is poised to anchor the offensive line. Transfers Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) at guard and Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) at tackle delivered experience through the portal. Four linemen with starting experience continue to rehab from injuries.
But the center makes an offensive line hum, according to offensive line coach Donovan Raiola. “He can be as good of a center that exists in college football,” Holgorsen said. “I firmly believe that.
” Tight end Luke Lindenmeyer: The early departures of Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher left tight end as wide open as any spot on the offensive depth chart to enter the offseason. Lindenmeyer, a 6-3, 250-pound junior from LaVista, Neb., had the edge in experience.
He has distinguished himself this spring, Holgorsen said, as Nebraska searches for options with Carter Nelson and Mac Markway out because of injuries. Converted quarterback Heinrich Haarberg gives the Huskers an elite athlete at the position. Lindenmeyer does everything well.
“I consider Luke a skill guy,” Holgorsen said. “I just think he’s a football player. He’s another guy that is taking on a leadership role.
Incredibly smart, plays with great pad level. He sees the whole field and knows exactly what is going on.” That’s a recipe to earn him plenty of reps when Nebraska opens on Aug.
28 against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium. (Top photo of Kwinten Ives (28): Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images).
