Huskers compare favorably to Big Ten foes after non-conference slate

The Nebraska football team is 3-0 after wrapping up the non-conference schedule this past weekend with a big win over Northern Iowa. Now, conference play begins.

“Yeah, it’s time that the season starts, time that the games begin,” Huskers true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola said Saturday night. “You treat those three (non-conference) games like real games buy you really find out your identity before you get into these conference games that mean everything.”

So far, the Huskers look vastly improved compared to last season, particularly on offense. Even though it’s only been three games against teams that differ from Nebraska’s conference foes, the numbers so far rank the Big Red favorably compared to their Big Ten counterparts. Here’s a look at how the Huskers stack up through three games.

Related: 'We needed to see that' — Notes & quotes following Huskers 34-3 win over Northern Iowa

Team

• Nebraska’s defense as a whole ranks eighth in the country in scoring, surrendering just 20 total points through three games (6.67 per game), which ranks behind only Ohio State and Minnesota in the Big Ten.
• The defense also ranks fifth in total yards allowed per game in the conference (255.3), behind only Ohio State, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan State.
• Even after allowing 139 rushing yards to Northern Iowa, the Blackshirts still rank 16th in the nation in rushing defense with just 70.3 rushing yards per game allowed. That’s sixth in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan. However, the Huskers are one of just four Big Ten teams to not allow a rushing touchdown yet.
• The Huskers defense ranks behind only Michigan State in tackles for loss among Big Ten teams; behind only Indiana and Michigan State in sacks; and is tied for fourth in the conference in interceptions.
• Nebraska’s point differential after three games is fifth in the Big Ten (27.3), behind only Ohio State, Indiana, Rutgers and USC.
• As a team (not just Raiola), the Huskers’ passing attack is fifth-best in the Big Ten in yardage (750) and fourth in completion percentage (73.9).
• Nebraska is seventh in rushing yards in the Big Ten (514), tied for third in rushing touchdowns (7) and one of five Big Ten teams with one or zero fumbles.
• The Huskers have gotten a first down 50% of third downs thus far, tied for the third-highest percentage in the conference. They’ve allowed conversions in just 32.5% of third downs, the seventh-lowest in the Big Ten.

Individual

• Raiola is fifth in the Big Ten in passing yards (670), fourth in completion percentage (73.8%) among starters, tied for seventh in touchdown passes (5) and ninth in passer rating (162.2). He’s also one of five starters in the conference to not have taken multiple sacks.
• Among Big Ten players with at least 30 carries, Dante Dowdell is 10th in rushing yards (184) and seventh in yards per carry (5.9) while tying for third in touchdowns (3).
• Defensively, Isaac Gifford is tied for 12th in tackles (17), Ty Robinson is tied for sixth in sacks (2), and Robinson and John Bullock are tied for 10th in tackles for loss in the Big Ten. Malcolm Hartzog Jr. is one of nine Big Ten players with multiple interceptions.
• Jacory Barney Jr. is second in the conference in kick return yards (110) and sixth in average return (22.0). Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda is sixth in punt return yards (43) and 12th in average return (7.2).
• Pro Football Focus rates Carter Nelson and Barney among its five highest-graded wide receivers in the non-conference slate. Jaylen Lloyd (17th), Isaiah Neyor (24th) and Jahmal Banks (34th) also rate highly compared to their Big Ten peers among those with at least five targets.
• Among Big Ten running backs with at least 10 carries, Emmett Johnson is PFF’s eighth highest-graded running back. Rahmir Johnson (15th), Dante Dowdell (18th) and Gabe Ervin Jr. (31st) are also well above-average.
• PFF rates Luke Lindenmeyer as the seventh-best blocking tight end in the conference through three games.
• Among starting centers, Ben Scott is PFF’s third highest-graded pass-blocking center in the conference and 10th-best overall.
• Among starting guards, Justin Evans-Jenkins is the eighth highest-graded pass-blocker. Overall, he and Micah Mazzccua rank 23rd and 24th, respectively, in the conference.
• Among starting tackles, Bryce Benhart and Turner Corcoran rank 16th and 18th, respectively, in run-block grade in the conference, and 23rd and 22nd overall.
• Among interior defensive linemen with at least 75 snaps, Robinson is the third highest-graded player in the conference overall. He and Nash Hutmacher are both in the top-15 in tackling grade at their position.
• MJ Sherman is PFF’s eighth highest-graded edge player in the conference among those with at least 75 snaps played.
• Among Big Ten linebackers with at least 75 snaps played, Mikai Gbayor (sixth), Stefon Thompson (13th) and John Bullock (15th) all rate among the best in the conference by PFF.
• Tommi Hill (third) and Marques Buford Jr. (eighth) are both in the top-10 highest-graded Big Ten corners by PFF, with a minimum of 100 snaps played.
• Isaac Gifford and DeShon Singleton are both in the top-five among starting Big Ten safeties in tackling grade and in the top-25 of overall grades.