Dave Feit: Learning How to Win

A collection of little things enabled Nebraska to beat Northwestern

(Author’s note: as is the custom for the unofficial “Battle for NU” game, the winning team – Nebraska – earns the right to be called “NU.” The losers – Northwestern – will be “NW.”)

“Learning how to win” is such a cliché. Preschoolers understand that winning a game means scoring one more point/run/goal than the opposition. What else is there to learn?

Well, if you’ve watched Nebraska over the last six seasons, you know there was a lot to learn. For years, former coaches preached a “no fear of failure” approach that played out as “fear, then failure” in over 70% of their conference games.

Given the number of indescribably painful ways the Huskers lost games over the years (onside kick, anyone?) it made sense that Matt Rhule has had to actively lobotomize the “here we go again” reflex from the program’s brain anytime something does not go according to plan.

In the “GBRewind” episode from the Illinois game, Rhule reiterated the mental approach he wants his program to have:

“You fight, and you take – for once – what we want. Enough of this waiting for something good to happen.”

Northwestern is a great barometer for NU’s progress in learning how to win. Since Mike Riley’s first year, six of the eight matchups have been one-score games, with Nebraska winning just one (2019). With the exception of the 2021 blowout, Northwestern plays Nebraska tough, lurking in the shadows, waiting to capitalize on mistakes. So many times, the Huskers were willing to step on rakes and give the game away.

But on Saturday, Nebraska tried something new. They made plays when they could. And when they couldn’t (looking at you, offense) they tried to avoid doing anything stupid. It didn’t always work (two first-quarter interceptions), but for the most part the offense stayed out of the way while the defense did the heavy lifting.

What does “learning to win” look like?

It’s a collection of little things coming together to make a big impact. It’s Malcolm Hartzog and Omar Brown not quitting on big plays to make touchdown-saving tackles (we’ll talk more on this in a bit). It’s a kicker ignoring his past struggles to make a long field goal into the wind. It’s a “next man up” mentality when two of your team leaders get injured on the same play. It’s choosing to have the wind at your back for the fourth quarter in a tight game. It’s avoiding penalties and making teams pay when they are flagged. It’s bringing pressure instead of sitting back in a prevent defense.

Let’s be clear: I’m not suggesting that Matt Rhule will go undefeated from here on out. Beating a 3-3 Northwestern team that lost their coach in July is – at best – a midterm exam in “Learning How to Win 101.” There are a ton of issues that get compounded by every new injury. But games like this are progress milestones in the rebuild process.

Things I believe

The Blackshirts can bend, but they didn’t break. Three times, Northwestern had an offensive play that went for at least 30 yards:

• 2nd quarter: Anthony Tyus III had a 39-yard run to the NU 31. Omar Brown chased him down to prevent further damage. The defense stiffened and forced a field goal.
• 3rd quarter: Brendan Sullivan hit A.J. Henning for 32 yards to the NU 22. NU – aided by a NW personal foul – forced a 54-yard field goal attempt that was no good.
• 4th quarter: Sullivan found Bryce Kirtz for 66 yards to the 9-yard line. Malcolm Hartzog ran him down to save the touchdown. Northwestern netted two yards on three plays and kicked another field goal.

Three big plays netted three field goal attempts and six points for Northwestern. The game looks completely different if any of those become touchdowns.

Obviously, the defense would prefer to not give up big plays, but that can happen in a blitzing 3-3-5 scheme. The key is in how they react and recover.

We’re going to find out about the depth on the offensive line. In the second quarter, Ethan Piper, one of NU’s best linemen, was injured on a play. He had to be helped off the field by his teammates and was driven into the locker room for further evaluation. He did not return.

Piper was replaced by Justin Evans-Jenkins. Later in the game, Evan-Jenkins had to slide over to center when Ben Scott was injured. Henry Lutovsky came into play guard. I believe Scott came back into the game late in the fourth quarter.

Depending on how much time Piper and/or Scott miss, it will be interesting to see how the depth on the line is utilized. With the exception of some “jumbo” packages, Coach Donovan Raiola prefers to stick with his starting five throughout the game. The backups haven’t seen a ton of time this year. The next name on the pregame depth chart is freshman Sam Sledge.

It could be a big “prove it” moment for Raiola and his line.

Especially on defense, if you can play, you’ll play. Raise your hand if you had heard of James Williams before Saturday. Unless you are a relative or a fan of Iowa Central Community College football, put your hand down.

Williams was elevated from the scout team to the field, seeing third-down action on Northwestern’s first two drives, with a sack in the fourth quarter.

Williams is a great story, but I love what it says about the philosophy of Rhule’s team – especially on defense. It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran or a newcomer, a 4-star or a JUCO walk-on. If you can play to the standard and help this team, you will earn opportunities to play on Saturday.

Things I don’t know

How close were we to seeing Jeff Sims? After weeks of “who will start?” drama, Rhule announced early in the week that Haarberg was the starter at quarterback going forward.

Through his first five starts, Haarberg had been living a pretty charmed life. In 96 passing attempts, he had thrown only two interceptions: a deflected pass against #2 Michigan and a 3rd & long arm punt against Illinois.

Those numbers were a little deceiving as Haarberg’s accuracy issues (51.3% for the season) were creating opportunities that opposing defenses were not taking advantage of (such as the final first-half drive of the Illinois game).

But then Haarberg threw an interception on Nebraska’s first play from scrimmage. After three drives, Haarberg’s passing stats were 1 of 4 for -3 yards and 2 INTs. The Blackshirts were the only thing keeping Nebraska from being down 14-0 instead of the actual 3-0 deficit.

Haarberg came out for the next drive and led NU on a nine-play, 35-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. What would have happened if Nebraska hadn't scored – or had committed another turnover? Would Jeff Sims have come back in?

While I’m glad we didn’t have to find out, I’m curious about the length of the proverbial leash, both after the second interception and going into the Purdue game.

Both have now shown similar ball-security issues, so maybe Satterfield looks to the bench for an offensive spark.

How will Satterfield counter now that the book is out on Haarberg? I’m not a Big Ten defensive coordinator making six figures, but the recipe for stopping Nebraska’s offense seems pretty straightforward:

1. When Nebraska runs an option play, take away the QB run. Make the inexperienced – or turnover prone – RBs beat you.
2. Get NU behind the sticks and make Haarberg beat you with his arm. Be ready to intercept overthrows.

After six weeks of scramble mode due to losing skill player after skill player to injury, I was optimistic that Nebraska would show some new offensive wrinkles to distribute the ball and break tendencies.

We did see some new things. The deep ball to Malachi Coleman (apparently a Tom Osborne play) started with a run fake to fullback Janiran Bonner. There were a couple of other plays that hinted at future potential.

But when Nebraska had a 3rd & 4 from midfield with an opportunity to extend a potential game-ending drive, Satterfield played it safe. The Huskers lined up with an empty backfield and receivers spread from sideline to sideline. Everybody in the stadium and millions more watching on TV knew that a QB draw was coming.

Northwestern knew it too and stopped Haarberg for a 1-yard gain, giving the Cats one final chance to tie the game.

Can Nebraska win three in a row? In 2015, Mike Riley’s team won the Foster Farms Bowl. The 2016 team won its first seven games, creating an eight-game winning streak that ended Oct. 29, 2016. That is the last time the Huskers have won more three or more games.

For perspective: in October 2016, Barack Obama was president. A gallon of gas in Omaha cost $2.21. NU’s current freshman class was in the sixth grade. The Kansas City Royals were still the reigning World Series champs.*

*The Huskers are 29-51 (.363) since the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series. During the 71-year run of the infamous “Billy Goat curse“ (1945-2016). the Huskers were 577-241-9 (.703) with five national championships. Is there a descendent of William Sianis who can re-curse the Cubbies for the good of Nebraska football?

Since NU’s last winning streak ended, Nebraska has won back-to-back games eight times (Riley twice, Scott Frost four times, and once each by Mickey Joseph and Matt Rhule). Nebraska has lost its last eight attempts at a three-game winning streak by an average score of 38-19.

I’m not predicting a win against Purdue, but I will note that this is probably Nebraska’s best chance at a three-game win streak since 2018.

Huskerigami Update

A “Huskerigami” is a final score combination (win or lose) that has never happened in the 130+ year history of Nebraska football.

Final score: 17-9

Is that a Huskerigami? No. It has happened twice before. The first time was a win over the Miami Hurricanes on 10/2/76. The most recent was a loss at Syracuse on 9/29/84. The top-ranked Huskers had won 23 straight regular-season games.

5 things I loved

1. Nash Hutmacher. There are a ton of things to love about the Polar Bear’s season: his improvement from respectable backup to all-conference caliber player, how he absorbs double teams with ease, and his ability to generate pressure and sacks. But what I love the most is his tendency to set the tone on the first drive. In the first drives of NU’s seven games, Hutmacher has 8.5 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack, a hurry, and assisted on a 4th & goal tackle inside the 1. That’ll work.
2. James Williams. When Hutmacher got his sack on the first drive, I saw #90 in the vicinity of the quarterback. My thought? “90? Who the hell is 90? Nobody wearing 90 has played this year.” But there he was again on the second drive, near the ball on 3rd & long. In the 4th quarter, Williams (a sophomore who recorded six sacks in JUCO last year) got his first sack as a Husker. He didn’t get credit for the sack on Northwestern’s final play, but he was right there. I’m excited to see what Williams can do going forward.
3. Malachi Coleman. It was great to see the highly touted, in-state true freshman get open for a 44-yard touchdown reception. The offense is obviously in need of a deep threat – heck, any able-bodied receiver who can get open and catch the ball – and Coleman definitely fits the bill. If Coleman’s on-field production can match his off-field support for foster care kids, he’ll be a superstar.
4. Luke Gifford. Let’s highlight one play from Gifford’s seven-tackle, half-sack outing against NW: opening drive of the 3rd quarter, NU up 7-3, the Wildcats have 3rd & 10 from their 25. NU is showing blitz, with Gifford lined up over the center. At the snap, Gifford correctly reads a screen pass and fights through the blocks of two offensive linemen to tackle the ball carrier. If either NW player makes the block, the play goes for big yardage – possibly a touchdown. Instead, it’s a gain of six and the Wildcats punt. All in a day’s work for Gifford.
5. Tristan Alvano. Be honest: When Nebraska lined up for a 47-yard field goal – into the wind – did you think Alvano would make it? The freshman made it with plenty of leg to spare, tying the game and providing a big boost of confidence.

Honorable mention: Princewill Umanmielen, Emmett Johnson, Jimari Butler, Luke Reimer, Cameron Lenhardt, Phalen Sanford, Justin Evans-Jenkins, Omar Brown, Elijah Jeudy, Tommi Hill, Ty Robinson, beautiful fall days.

5 areas for improvement

1. Passing game. We’ll start with a positive: the offensive line is not included in this. Haarberg was not sacked, and mostly had time to throw. Now for the not so positive: Even with a 44-yard deep ball to Coleman, NU’s passing attack was a pitiful 8-17 for 85 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Unless NU is rushing for 250+ yards, this is a recipe for disaster.
2. Receiver drops. I saw at least three different Huskers fail to catch a ball that hit them in the hands. As a former lineman who was called “feet” for his pass catching abilities (as well as being a very original, very hilarious mispronunciation of “Feit”), I’m aware that I’m not exactly an expert on this subject. But I don’t think I’m out of line in suggesting that any player who wants to be considered awesome should be able to snag a pass that hits his hands.
3. Marcus Satterfield. I have – and likely will continue to – defend Nebraska’s offensive coordinator for doing the best he can with what he has to work with. I’ve been willing to give credit for putting his preferred system on hold and doing whatever he can help the defense win games. But three quick incomplete passes after the defense makes a big stop & hands you momentum and the ball near midfield? That’s tough to defend.
4. Punt returns. Alex Bullock returned his first punt of the season for one yard. That puts him only 18 yards behind Billy Kemp for the team lead. Losing Kemp to injury hurts, but the lack of production (3.3 yards per return) – or even attempts (six in seven games) – feels like a missed opportunity for an offense that can use all the help it can get.
5. Nebraska’s “alternate” uniforms. If you didn’t know ahead of time that NU was wearing alternate uniforms, would you have known? For fans in the stands higher than row 10, they looked the same. BTN never mentioned the uniforms – the standard red tops with a thin blue outline around the numbers – during their broadcast. The only thing that looked out of place were the 20 or so players wearing blue gloves. The only thing those blue gloves did was provide a tease for the all-in approach NU should have taken for the 100th-anniversary game.