Nebraska’s Offensive Line Slammed by Injuries
Just when you thought the Nebraska offense's injury bug couldn't get any worse, it did.
Starting linemen Turner Corcoran and Ethan Piper are done for the year because of injuries suffered during Saturday's win against Northwestern.
That was the news Monday from head football coach Matt Rhule at his weekly press conference ahead of the Purdue game. But there was even more on the injury front.
In addition to Corcoran (foot) and Piper (knee), the O-line will miss starter Nouredin Nouili for one or more weeks after he underwent surgery for an unspecified injury. Wide receiver Billy Kemp, the team's leading receiver and primary punt returner, will miss multiple weeks with an MCL sprain. Two-way player Tommi Hill injured an ankle against Northwestern, but there's a chance he'll be back in action Saturday against Purdue.
The good news on the O-line is that center Ben Scott, who left the Northwestern game and later returned, is OK. Most likely to step up into starting roles alonside him against Purdue are Teddy Prochazka, Justin Evans-Jenkins and Henry Lutovsky.
"We're a pretty beat-up team right now," Rhule said. He noted that all but two starters on offense Saturday will be freshmen or sophomores.
Lost for the season earlier in the year were starting receivers Marcus Washington and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda and running backs Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson. Jeff Sims, the original starter at quarterback, missed multiple games with a high ankle sprain.
"I've never had anything like this," Rhule said. "We press on."
Sign-stealing, the defense's performance, the rotation at running backs and more were touched on during Monday's session. Scroll down for coverage, and refresh this page to see the latest updates. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. | HuskerMax discussion
Coverage
- Inside Nebraska | Starting OL Turner Corcoran, Ethan Piper suffer season-ending injuries
- Inside Nebraska | Teddy Prochazka among three new OL starters vs Boilermakers
- HuskerOnline | Two starting offensive linemen out for the season
- Husker247 | Husker offensive line hit by injuries
- Husker247 | Hurt Huskers now have to lead in different roles
- Husker247 | The rundown from Rhule: What else was said from the Husker coach on another day of major injury news?
- Husker247 | Rhule offers thoughts to questions on sign stealing in football; Routine, yes, but if within the rules
- Nebraska Athletics | Rhule transcript
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Amidst offensive injuries, Nebraska turning to its defense for more
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Rhule unfazed by cold, rainy forecast for Purdue game
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Just: Nebraska football's injuries reach appalling point
- Omaha World-Herald* | As injuries hit Nebraska offense again, Huskers put backup plan in motion
- Omaha World-Herald* | Matt Rhule on Ty Robinson: 'He was absolutely dominant in my mind'
- Omaha World-Herald* | Rhule mum on Michigan sign stealing — but he has a fix for theatrics
- Omaha World-Herald* | Rhule analyzes Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg
From the other side
- All Huskers | Purdue’s Ryan Walters: ‘Don’t Like That N on the Helmet’
- Indy Star | Purdue's Walters grew up hating Nebraska, now coaching against Huskers
- Purdue Athletics | Game 8 Prep: Ryan Walters Press Conference
- Purdue Athletics | Ryan Walters' Monday presser (video)
- Gold and Black | First and 10: Purdue at Nebraska
- Gold and Black | First Look: Nebraska
