3 concerns for the Huskers at midway point of the season

Only four teams in the Big Ten have a better record than the Nebraska Huskers six weeks into the season.

At 5-1 (2-1 in conference play), the Huskers are just one win away from securing a bowl game for the first time since 2016 and ending the longest drought among Power Four conference schools.

However, the Big Red ended last season on a four-game losing streak and has a tough schedule the rest of this season.

Nebraska has shown enough improvement to be optimistic heading into the second half of the season but here are a few areas of concern the Huskers need to address to avoid a repeat of last year’s late-season slide.

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Special teams struggles

Yes, this is likely on the minds of many Huskers fans.

Last weekend, the Big Red had two of its punts blocked. Two weeks ago, two field goal attempts were blocked.

It hasn’t all been bad, as punter Brian Buschini has been clutch at times, including in last week’s win over Rutgers, and kicker Tristan Alvano seems to be nearing a return. However, the Huskers need to clean up any long-snapping and protection issues on kicks, be more consistent in coverage on kicks and get at least some spark from its nearly lifeless return game.

With multiple upcoming games against ranked opponents as well as slugfests against Wisconsin and Iowa, special teams play is going to have a huge impact on the outcome of games down the stretch.

Related: Nebraska report card: How Huskers stack up on special teams halfway into season

Ground game

Even with the addition of Dante Dowdell at running back, the Huskers just haven’t been as dangerous in the ground game this year.

Nebraska’s rushing yards per game is down 40 yards from last season, and the running game just hasn’t produced many big plays.

“I think our run game offensively is not where it needs to be,” Huskers head coach Matt Rhule said earlier this week. “We’re not hitting the home run plays, we’re getting out and getting 12 yards.”

Rhule went on to add, “I’m not a ‘Hey, just do your job’ guy, I’m a ‘Hey, do your job and then go make a play,’ and so part of that is not getting tackled and we’ve gotten tackled low a lot through the first six games.”

It’s hard to practice against that while keeping the team healthy, but Rhule said the Huskers have to figure out an answer there because this team needs more from its rushing attack the rest of the season.

“That’s a major area for us is those 12-yard runs have to start being 50-yard runs,” the coach said.

We’ll see if they can do that.

Related: Nebraska report card: How Huskers stack up on offense halfway into season

Stopping the run

The Huskers have been fantastic against the pass and are ninth in the nation in stopping the run, with just 84.2 rushing yards per game allowed so far this season.

Nebraska is also coming off back-to-back games with less than 80 rushing yards allowed despite facing two really good backs and one of the best rushing offenses in the Big Ten in Rutgers. So why the concern?

The Huskers still have to face four of the top seven (and five of the top 10) rushing offenses in the conference over their final six games, and the physical rushing attacks of Northern Iowa and Illinois gave Nebraska some trouble.

Missed tackles have been a key part of that, so far, so if the Huskers can clean that up, their defense will give them a chance every week.

The unit will be tested the rest of the way, though, and how they respond will play a major role in the team’s success over the final seven weeks.

Related: Nebraska report card: How Huskers stack up defensively halfway into season