Huskers Ready for ‘Fistfight’ With Spartans
Facing a ranked opponent on the road for the second consecutive week, coach Scott Frost said his Huskers "know we're in for a fistfight” against Michigan State.
The Huskers face the No. 20 Spartans in a 6 p.m. CDT game Saturday on FS1. “It’s going to be a fun environment,” Frost said during Monday's Nebraska football game-week press conference.
Stopping MSU running back Kenneth Walker III will be a particular challenge. He leads the nation with 164.3 rushing yards per game.
The Huskers' stable of running backs will be minus true freshman Gabe Ervin, who injured a knee in Saturday's loss at Oklahoma when he went down without contact late in the third quarter. Frost said it was a patellar tendon injury that could end Ervin's season, though a full evaluation from doctors is still pending.
Rahmir Johnson rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries against Oklahoma and caught three passes for 48 yards.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Rahmir Johnson made his first career start in Norman after grading out best among the running backs during last week's practices. "I thought he took advantage of the opportunity," Frost said while noting that the coaches are still looking for a top guy to emerge at the position. Johnson was the Huskers' third different starter at running back in four games. Ervin started the first two.
As for Connor Culp's struggles, Frost said he has "a lot of faith" in the senior placekicker but said competition will continue at the position.
Frost called the offensive line "a work in progress" that's "getting closer" every week. "We need those guys to come off the ball and create some momentum," he said. Left guard remains a position without a clear No. 1 man.
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Commentary
- Omaha World-Herald* | Tom's Takes: A lesson on bonding in defeat — from Husker football and volleyball
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Steven M. Sipple: Allen detects change in Frost and other takeaways from NU news luncheon
Coverage
- Hail Varsity | Nebraska Continues to Seek Clear-Cut Starting Running Back
- Hail Varsity | Nebraska Defense Aiming to be Elite, Get Off Field on Third Down
- Hail Varsity | Omar Manning Works Through Mental Health Struggles, Looks to Pour Into Others
- Husker247 | Quick hits from Scott Frost's Monday press conference
- Husker247 | Manning opens up about working through tough challenges to be on Husker stage
- Husker247 | Frost talks Ervin injury as Huskers continue to sort RB picture
- Husker247 | Amid kicking struggles, Garrett Nelson says loss is "on all of us"
- Husker247 | Freshman Teddy Prochazka looking to skirt redshirt season
- Husker247 | Deontai Williams ready for 'big boy football,' and finding a few more plays
- HuskerOnline | Five things we learned from NU's weekly press conference
- HuskerOnline | Omar Manning gets opportunity after mental health kept him away
- Associated Press | Gabe Ervin Jr. out indefinitely with knee injury
- Omaha World-Herald* | The Huskers agree: Close isn't good enough. 'We want wins'
- Omaha World-Herald* | Huskers desperate for signature win. They'll get plenty of chances in the Big Ten
- Omaha World-Herald* | Gabe Ervin injury creates more uncertainty for Husker running backs
- Omaha World-Herald* | Teammates rally around struggling Husker kicker Connor Culp: 'We bring each other up'
- Omaha World-Herald* | Notes: O-lineman Teddy Prochazka gets on the field — as a tight end
- Omaha World-Herald* | Support from Frost, counselor helped Omar Manning in mental health journey
- Lincoln Journal Star* | 'It's way more than me': Omar Manning opens up about mental health, coming into his own at NU
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Deontai Williams explains a savvy veteran move — and why he's mad he didn't capitalize on it
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Red Report: Latest on Gabe Ervin's injury; Prochazka not planning on redshirt; competition at PK, LG
- Lincoln Journal Star* | The Word with Austin Allen: The game the Aurora native wants back, looking ahead and a round of word association
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Vokolek's return a welcome sight for Husker offense, which figures to rely on two-TE sets frequently
Video recaps
- Omaha World-Herald | Shatel/McKewon
- Lincoln Journal Star | Sipple/Gabriel Four Downs
- Lincoln Journal Star | Sipple/Gabriel Two-Minute Drill
Press conference video
Click on name for Huskers.com transcript
Side interviews (video)
From the other side
- Lansing State Journal* | 5 lingering thoughts heading into game against Nebraska
- Detroit Free Press* | Michigan State football stock watch: Kenneth Walker III running strong
