Rhule extension

[dinglefritz]

EJ is an all-conference level back and would probably be getting about the same number of carries even if what's behind him was a bit more reliable, given that he is a key to winning games. And I am liking what Mozee is beginning to show. He would probably be getting more carries if EJ wasn't as good, but then we probably wouldn't be 6-2. As far as the others, Dowdell left for cash and Brown didn't come because of cash. Dante has been on the shelf with a knee injury and Char-Mar is average 3.9 ypc (243 total) at the U.
They decided not to pony up for a second proven back. I don't think an absence of this back was a primary driver in our two losses. However, I do think Holgerson is beginning to see play calling sequences where Dowdell would come in handy.

Did you see NW’s backup RB ripoff that long TD run against us? I would bet we have walkons faster than that dude. I’m not sure we can pay enough for 2 proven backs. The NFL model is you pay one guy then you just have another journeyman and a rookie. I think that’s what we have to do. ALWAYS if you’re gonna spend the money it’s WR, LT, Edge, CB and QB in no particular order. RB and TE usually fall below those guys. Your #2 RB gets….not much.

 

[Shimmer003]

That's odd. Seems like Indiana only paid for those results once they actually happened.

Cignetti got paid because he's actually winning. Rhule has every opportunity to earn his extension by winning as well. But why do that, when you can just have your agent talk gullible fans into breaking open the piggy bank?

It’s odd that you think the coaching salary is what counts in college football today. Indiana’s NIL budget far exceeds ours. I could care less about the coaches salary when the roster costs 3-5x that. That’s where NU is failing and Indiana is buying success. And it shows.

And since when do fans make contract extensions and pay salaries? The fans aren’t paying for anything. You’re acting like you’re going to have to personally write Rhule a check for this. Nebraska needed to extend Rhule to stabilize him being here for the future and recruiting. You think teams aren’t negatively recruiting against us saying Rhule is going to Penn state? People need to get a grip and understand how the coaching game works and stop complaining about the athletic department spending money that doesn’t even have anything to do with you.

 

[inWV]

Did you see NW’s backup RB ripoff that long TD run against us? I would bet we have walkons faster than that dude. I’m not sure we can pay enough for 2 proven backs. The NFL model is you pay one guy then you just have another journeyman and a rookie. I think that’s what we have to do. ALWAYS if you’re gonna spend the money it’s WR, LT, Edge, CB and QB in no particular order. RB and TE usually fall below those guys. Your #2 RB gets….not much.

Short of Dowdell staying, would another back (that we reasonably could have landed) be taking touches away from EJ? Mozee isn't getting as much run as we'd like, but he is also backing up an all conference level guy in games that are tight. Of course a team is going to run its bell cow when the game is in doubt. But I like what I'm seeing with Mozee and next year NU should have a nice 1-2 at RB.

 

[oldjar07]

EJ is an all-conference level back and would probably be getting about the same number of carries even if what's behind him was a bit more reliable, given that he is a key to winning games. And I am liking what Mozee is beginning to show. He would probably be getting more carries if EJ wasn't as good, but then we probably wouldn't be 6-2. As far as the others, Dowdell left for cash and Brown didn't come because of cash. Dante has been on the shelf with a knee injury and Char-Mar is average 3.9 ypc (243 total) at the U.
They decided not to pony up for a second proven back. I don't think an absence of this back was a primary driver in our two losses. However, I do think Holgerson is beginning to see play calling sequences where Dowdell would come in handy.

Our current RB coach didn't even recruit EJ. And he's not recruiting near well enough at that position to put us in CFP position, which should be the standard for every group.

 

[oldjar07]

Did you see NW’s backup RB ripoff that long TD run against us? I would bet we have walkons faster than that dude. I’m not sure we can pay enough for 2 proven backs. The NFL model is you pay one guy then you just have another journeyman and a rookie. I think that’s what we have to do. ALWAYS if you’re gonna spend the money it’s WR, LT, Edge, CB and QB in no particular order. RB and TE usually fall below those guys. Your #2 RB gets….not much.

Dinglefritz: Rhule's (unpaid?) propaganda machine.

 

[oldjar07]

It’s odd that you think the coaching salary is what counts in college football today. Indiana’s NIL budget far exceeds ours. I could care less about the coaches salary when the roster costs 3-5x that. That’s where NU is failing and Indiana is buying success. And it shows.

And since when do fans make contract extensions and pay salaries? The fans aren’t paying for anything. You’re acting like you’re going to have to personally write Rhule a check for this. Nebraska needed to extend Rhule to stabilize him being here for the future and recruiting. You think teams aren’t negatively recruiting against us saying Rhule is going to Penn state? People need to get a grip and understand how the coaching game works and stop complaining about the athletic department spending money that doesn’t even have anything to do with you.

Where's your evidence that Indiana's NIL budget exceeds ours? Besides you know, pulling it out of your ***.

 

[dinglefritz]

Short of Dowdell staying, would another back (that we reasonably could have landed) be taking touches away from EJ? Mozee isn't getting as much run as we'd like, but he is also backing up an all conference level guy in games that are tight. Of course a team is going to run its bell cow when the game is in doubt. But I like what I'm seeing with Mozee and next year NU should have a nice 1-2 at RB.

I can’t imagine that our NIL budget could have supported paying another RB with the other wants we had. I’ve seen flashes from Nelson that makes me think he could end up being good enough as a #2 guy.

 

[dinglefritz]

Dinglefritz: Rhule's (unpaid?) propaganda machine.

You need to read my posts over the past 2 weeks thoroughly. If you already have, then your reading comprehension isn’t very good.

 

[Zeke Husker]

EJ is an all-conference level back and would probably be getting about the same number of carries even if what's behind him was a bit more reliable, given that he is a key to winning games. And I am liking what Mozee is beginning to show. He would probably be getting more carries if EJ wasn't as good, but then we probably wouldn't be 6-2. As far as the others, Dowdell left for cash and Brown didn't come because of cash. Dante has been on the shelf with a knee injury and Char-Mar is average 3.9 ypc (243 total) at the U.
They decided not to pony up for a second proven back. I don't think an absence of this back was a primary driver in our two losses. However, I do think Holgerson is beginning to see play calling sequences where Dowdell would come in handy.

There needs to be more production from RBs, can Rhule afford more time to see if Bathel can get it?

 

[Laner2]

I’m guessing the powers that be think that if we hire and keep good coordinators that Rhule can win enough to keep the wolves at bay. I’m a little concerned about Butler’s job performance.

I think Butler would look a lot better if he had Ty and Bear.

 

[cHUCK001]

Hell Yeah! Great move! Had to lock up that 84th ranked recruiting class somehow. The Husker way.

 

[Spinner4]

I can’t imagine that our NIL budget could have supported paying another RB with the other wants we had. I’ve seen flashes from Nelson that makes me think he could end up being good enough as a #2 guy.

I’ve seen easy take downs and misreads that make me think otherwise.

 

[K Rod]

I can’t imagine that our NIL budget could have supported paying another RB with the other wants we had. I’ve seen flashes from Nelson that makes me think he could end up being good enough as a #2 guy.

Ruhle said he wanted another portal back but did not have the money or got outbid.

 

[Spinner4]

Ruhle said he wanted another portal back but did not have the money or got outbid.

Yeah they needed to save it for his buddies to get Jobs.

Key was a waste of NIL money btw. He cost a lot for very little thus far. Hunter is a much better investment.

And he also said they felt good about the RB room back then. Guy speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

 

[Antwill]

IMO: One thing that I think Rhule provides that will be even more important as the craziness of NIL and the portal continues is the culture he has built. If we get where we can compete with pretty much everyone money-wise, the differentiating factor will be how players are treated and whether or not they feel cared for. I haven't heard of any players who have left badmouthing Rhule and the program. They have everything they could want. Say what you want about Rhule and his coaching ability, etc., but he does care for his players and they love him.

Keeping him is the right decision. For every Cignetti, there are 1,000 Callahans, Rileys, and Frosts.

 

[konaki]

So Cignetti's and Rhules buy out's are both 15 million let the bidding begin

 

[Huskers12345]

Yeah they needed to save it for his buddies to get Jobs.

Key was a waste of NIL money btw. He cost a lot for very little thus far. Hunter is a much better investment.

And he also said they felt good about the RB room back then. Guy speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

Key is who I thought he would be. I never expected him to be an 80 catch guy. He's had some good grabs, and important tds.

 

[Spinner4]

Key is who I thought he would be. I never expected him to be an 80 catch guy. He's had some good grabs, and important tds.

I agree. There was a lot of red flags on Key. A lot. Just don’t know why the staff thought he was worth that money. He ain’t an NFL guy. Probably get a shot as an UFA but he doesn’t have what Hunter has

 

[Huskers12345]

I agree. There was a lot of red flags on Key. A lot. Just don’t know why the staff thought he was worth that money. He ain’t an NFL guy. Probably get a shot as an UFA but he doesn’t have what Hunter has

He's a reliable, veteran presence in a very young room, who has a history with the new WR coach. I don't have a problem bringing him in.

 

[dinglefritz]

I’ve seen easy take downs and misreads that make me think otherwise.

Inconsistent at best. That’s why I used “flashes”. Hopefully he gets better with experience and practice reps. I think the physical ability might be there. The mindset needs to be there. I’ll recall similar things being said about EJ early on.

 

[Bigred2467]

Short of Dowdell staying, would another back (that we reasonably could have landed) be taking touches away from EJ? Mozee isn't getting as much run as we'd like, but he is also backing up an all conference level guy in games that are tight. Of course a team is going to run its bell cow when the game is in doubt. But I like what I'm seeing with Mozee and next year NU should have a nice 1-2 at RB.

Don't be surprised if Emmet Johnson declares for the NFL draft after this year. Mel Kiper currently has him as the eighth best running back.

2026 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects

 

[dinglefritz]

Don't be surprised if Emmet Johnson declares for the NFL draft after this year. Mel Kiper currently has him as the eighth best running back.

2026 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects

He might make more money at NU. Not many RBs get drafted.