Saturday night in Happy Valley was supposed to be a measuring stick game for Nebraska. Instead, it became a harsh reminder of just how far the Cornhuskers still need to travel before they can compete with
the Big Ten’s elite programs.
Penn State dismantled Nebraska 37-10 in a game that honestly wasn’t even that close. The Nittany Lions controlled every phase from the second quarter onward, exposing fundamental weaknesses that have plagued Matt Rhule’s program since his arrival in Lincoln.
The Offensive Philosophy Problem
Nebraska came into this game with a conservative offensive identity, and they stuck to it even as the deficit mounted. The Cornhuskers waited until they were down by 27 points before finally opening up the playbook in the second half. By then, the game was already decided.
The Heinrich Haarberg wildcat packages continue to puzzle me. Nebraska brings in their athletic backup quarterback and proceeds to hand the ball off on predictable short-yardage plays. No option looks, no pop passes, no creativity whatsoever. Whether Haarberg were able to make a difference, we wouldn’t know because there’s nothing special or different about the plays he’s asked to execute.
Perhaps most frustrating was Nebraska’s two-minute offense before halftime. With Penn State set to receive the second-half kickoff, the Cornhuskers needed to generate points before the break. Instead, they plodded around the field, wasted time getting lined up, and ran conservative plays when they needed to move sixty yards quickly. There was zero sense of urgency from a team that desperately needed a momentum swing.
The Line of Scrimmage Reality Check
Penn State won this game in the trenches, and it wasn’t particularly close. Their defensive line made Nebraska’s tackles look like they were blocking air. Their offensive line created running lanes that a truck could drive through. The Nittany Lions rushed with conviction because they knew Nebraska’s defensive front couldn’t stop them.
Penn State backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemer completed 11 of 12 passes for 181 yards. He missed one throw all night. That’s not because Penn State’s passing game is unstoppable—it’s because Nebraska’s inability to stop the run meant Penn State rarely needed to take risks through the air.
This exposes the fundamental roster construction problem facing Nebraska. While other programs load up on offensive and defensive linemen, Nebraska has prioritized skill position players in the transfer portal. You can have all the talented receivers and defensive backs you want, but football games are won and lost in the trenches.
What Needs to Change
For Matt Rhule to avoid mounting pressure and potential calls to fire him in the next couple years, several things need to happen. First, Nebraska must prioritize linemen on both sides of the ball in the transfer portal. Second, the offensive line coaching staff needs evaluation—this group cannot pick up stunts and hasn’t been able to for years. Third, the offensive philosophy needs to evolve beyond a scheme designed to score 24 points per game.
Iowa awaits on Friday, and suddenly a season that looked promising at 7-3 feels like it’s teetering on the edge. Nebraska needs a victory to salvage momentum heading into the offseason. Whether they can get it remains an open question after Saturday night’s debacle.
