Week 7 @ Maryland: Game Notes, Depth Chart, Etc…

[Baron Winnebago]

Hope we don't catch some contagious second-hand illiteracy after crossing the Maryland state line.

Fairyland?

Turdles is absolutely perfect

 

[RedSavage]

They have an extremely athletic defensive front 7.

That should give you pause.

Yep. They lead the B1G in sacks at 19

That doesn't seem to bode well for us...

 

[ShortSideOption]

First true road game, even though the "neutral site" game was on the road as well against Cincy, but first in front of away fans. That can always be tough for a young team. I don't understand the line movement though, I have us winning by a touchdown or so as of right now.

 

[Cornicator]

3 Names to remember for Maryland:

Ted Monachino - Defensive Coordinator hired in March, 2025. This man has been coaching for 30+ years. He was a former DC for the Colts and spent time coaching Outside Linebackers for the Falcons, Bears, and Ravens.

DE - Sidney Stewart - True Freshman Defensive End is potentially the most explosive Freshman pass rusher in the Big Ten. He wasn't heavily recruited out of high school because he's basically 6'1 and half. But he runs a legit 4.5 and is going to be handful for the Huskers. He's also cocky as fuck and we will all hate him after the game, win or lose.

DE - Zahir Mathis - This kid is a Million Dollar player. The former top 100 superstar Edge chose Maryland over Georgia, Ohio State, and others because Locksley was the only coach willing to commit upwards of 1.5 million to him. Locksley has paid a bunch of their freshman this season. Washington and Mathis are the two highest paid. Mathis is a freak at 6'6 230. I don't think he's as good as Stewart, but he's still a future NFL edge.

Monachino realizes he has two stars in Stewart and Mathis. The rest of their D-line and Linebackers a very athletic, but these two are the catalysts.

The biggest reason Maryland is improved this season is because Monachino is running the defense, and they have two potential top 50 NFL players off the edge.

This is going to present a VERY difficult matchup for Nebraska. Oddly enough, Nebraska is probably DRAMATICALLY better in every other aspect of the game with the exception of this matchup and the way Coach Monachino is going to coach up his defense behind these two stallions.


Malik Washington gets all the publicity, but these two players are the reason he's able to stay out of tough situations.

 

[SOHusker11]

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule​

***Rhule said Maryland would “present quite a challenge,” especially with its defense and pass rush. He said the Terps had “a dynamic wide-out core.”

***Rhule said going on the road for the first time would provide an opportunity for Nebraska to grow as a team and “continue to build the brotherhood” in their locker room.

***Rhule said Nebraska was fortunate that no Big Ten road game was more than a six-hour flight, whereas other teams must go coast to coast. He said NU wouldn’t complain about travel because “that’s just part of it” and they’ve been preparing for these trips for over a year.

***Rhule confirmed that Nebraska will leave for Maryland on Thursday to help limit the travel grind. They use Friday as a team-bonding day and to “lock in” for the game. They’ll hold their walk-through at a local high school on Friday.

***Rhule said Nebraska’s travel setup was “elite,” which was entirely by design. He believes that when building a championship program, “everything you do needs to be at a championship level.” From their planes, hotels, team meals, and overall player experience, Rhule believes it all prepares NU to play at the highest level on game day.

Evaluating the o-line, special teams, and scouting Maryland​

***On the offensive line, Rhule said he saw a lot of good things and also “things that we need to work on.” He thought some of the sacks weren’t on the o-line, with some more on Dylan Raiola holding the ball and other elements.

“We have to be better, but I don’t think it’s like this, ‘Oh my gosh, we can’t block anybody.'”

***Rhule called the second quarter vs. MSU as bad of a quarter as he’d ever been a part of. However, he thought the offense bounced back and played much better in the third and fourth quarters.

***Rhule said some of the pass rush “got to him” a bit on Saturday, but he loved how Raiola responded and “played with blood in his eyes.”

“I think Dylan’s the least of our worries right now.”

***Rhule said he anticipated a 70-75 play game vs. Michigan State, and instead it was in the 50s. That limited the snaps that guys like Isaiah Mozee and Cortez Mills got on offense.

***On Maryland, Rhule said Malik Washington was “a dynamic young quarterback” who was athletic but also “a passer first.” They stretch the field with speedy receivers on the perimeter, and the passing game was their strength. On defense, Rhule said their pass rush was “pretty elite,” especially on third down.

“That will be a key matchup there.”

***Rhule also stressed that special teams would again be an X-factor on Saturday. With three blocked kicks and Jacory Barney’s big returns, he thinks special teams would be “a key factor” vs. Maryland

On the pass game, d-line progress, and Saturday’s standouts​

***Rhule said the wind limited how much Nebraska pushed the ball down the field through the air. They called some deep passes and some guys that were “wide, wide open” and didn’t get the ball. There were several reasons why the downfield passing game didn’t click, and OC Dana Holgorsen just wanted the offense to find some rhythm.

***Rhule said Ceyair Wright was “absolutely phenomenal” vs. MSU. The Spartans targeted Wright five times, and he was “a shut-down nickel corner” all game.

***Rhule said Justin Evans had “one of those blocks that offensive linemen dream of” on Nyziah Hunter’s game-sealing touchdown catch. He also praised Gunnar Gottula for having a great block on the play.

***Rhule said the defensive line took a step in the right direction vs. Michigan State. He said having a game like that, where they flew off the ball and got to the QB, could do wonders for their confidence. Nebraska stopped the run against a run-heavy team. They struggled a bit vs. QB scrambles, but “I thought they made a real step.”

***Rhule said Williams Nwaneri and Dasan McCullough were “special” vs. MSU. With Nwaneri, a big issue was blocking out outside expectations as a former five-star and comparing himself to others. By focusing on daily progress, Nwaneri is “trusting the path that you’re on” and is “just taking leaps.”

Rhule said Nwaneri earned a Blackshirt last week. “Will definitely deserved that.”

***On Rex Guthrie starting over Marques Buford, Rhule said Buford embodied everything a captain stood for. “Marques Buford is exactly why guys like me got into college football.”

Hartzog update, and praise for NU’s staff​

***Rhule said Malcolm Hartzog was “closer” to returning to action, and they were hopeful he would travel to Maryland. “We could certainly use Malcolm.”

***Rhule said DC John Butler was “elite” with his game planning and play calls. Beyond that, he credited NU’s staff and even the player leadership for elevating the defense’s play this season.

Rhule noted that Wright texted him on Thursday night and asked if they could turn the Memorial Stadium lights on because he and other defenders wanted to put in some extra work on their own.

***Rhule said Mike Ekeler has “brought an energy” to special teams, but his teaching and attention to detail were just as critical to his success. Rhule said, “Everyone is dialed in” during special teams meetings. He also gave credit to Brett Maher for his work with the kickers and punters.

***Rhule noted that Nebraska has 250 yards on punt returns this season. Their opponents have -1 yard. Between that, improved penalties, turnover margin, and overall player accountability, Rhule said all were examples of NU’s improved culture and buy-in.

“We’re proud of those stats… There are some areas we need to improve upon, and we know that.”

 

[herbsinator]

3 Names to remember for Maryland:

Ted Monachino - Defensive Coordinator hired in March, 2025. This man has been coaching for 30+ years. He was a former DC for the Colts and spent time coaching Outside Linebackers for the Falcons, Bears, and Ravens.

DE - Sidney Stewart - True Freshman Defensive End is potentially the most explosive Freshman pass rusher in the Big Ten. He wasn't heavily recruited out of high school because he's basically 6'1 and half. But he runs a legit 4.5 and is going to be handful for the Huskers. He's also cocky as fuck and we will all hate him after the game, win or lose.

DE - Zahir Mathis - This kid is a Million Dollar player. The former top 100 superstar Edge chose Maryland over Georgia, Ohio State, and others because Locksley was the only coach willing to commit upwards of 1.5 million to him. Locksley has paid a bunch of their freshman this season. Washington and Mathis are the two highest paid. Mathis is a freak at 6'6 230. I don't think he's as good as Stewart, but he's still a future NFL edge.

Monachino realizes he has two stars in Stewart and Mathis. The rest of their D-line and Linebackers a very athletic, but these two are the catalysts.

The biggest reason Maryland is improved this season is because Monachino is running the defense, and they have two potential top 50 NFL players off the edge.

This is going to present a VERY difficult matchup for Nebraska. Oddly enough, Nebraska is probably DRAMATICALLY better in every other aspect of the game with the exception of this matchup and the way Coach Monachino is going to coach up his defense behind these two stallions.


Malik Washington gets all the publicity, but these two players are the reason he's able to stay out of tough situations.

I’m not too worried about it because we can’t block anyone anyway, so no different than the other games.

 

[2010sarenevercomingback]

DE - Zahir Mathis

That Ochaun's son?

 

[SOHusker11]

Throughout the course of his news conference today, Matt Rhule at various points invoked some key stats:

*** He notes Emmett Johnson is tied for third in the Big Ten with 474 rushing yards (5.6 ypc).

"The narrative we can't run the ball is kind of silly," Rhule notes.

Yes and no. But let's continue.

*** He notes Nebraska already has blocked three kicks, including two punts. The Huskers blocked two kicks all of last season.

*** He notes Nebraska is tied for 15th nationally in fewest penalties with 22. My heavens, I appreciate the clean football we're seeing from Rhule's crew.

*** He notes Nebraska has 238 punt-return yards compared to minus-1 for opponents. Whoa, that is impressive.

*** Sean actually noted Nebraska is No. 1 nationally in pass defense, allowing only 91.8 yards per game. Oklahoma is second at 118.4.

*** One more stat: For those wondering, Rhule's news conference lasted 34-plus minutes compared to 19 minutes last week.

------S.Sipple

 

[Kaladin]

 

[Seaofred92]

 

[Sous Chef]

Hmm. Turnovers and special teams become large positives for us and we win games even though the offense is sometimes on the struggle bus. Who'd of thought.

 

[Porkchop]

Not sure where you guys are getting your spreads but Vegas insider shows -6.5 or -7 on every site

 

[herbsinator]

View attachment 59719Not sure where you guys are getting your spreads but Vegas insider shows -6.5 or -7 on every site

Agreed, its -6.5 everywhere I’ve looked

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

I watched parts of the Maryland/Washington game. The parts I watched of the Huskies game, I’m more concerned than before for their pass rush. They looked to be in the back field a ton but Washington had a qb that got the ball out quick and was really ile.

Hope the offensive line is ready and we get the ball out quick.

 

[Porkchop]

Holgerson will have a plan in place. Their pass defense isn’t great. Neutralize the pass rush and use it to our advantage.
If we win the turnover battle or come out even, we will win this game.

 

[Toe]

I watched parts of the Maryland/Washington game. The parts I watched of the Huskies game, I’m more concerned than before for their pass rush. They looked to be in the back field a ton but Washington had a qb that got the ball out quick and was really ile.

Hope the offensive line is ready and we get the ball out quick.

Maryland is #4 in the country in sacks.

 

[Dawgsauce]