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

The Nebraska football team is halfway through its 2024 schedule, entering the bye week with a 5-1 record.

Most Huskers fans can likely tell just by watching that the team is improved as a whole from last year’s squad, featuring an upgraded but not yet lethal offense, a strong defense and a struggling special teams unit.

At the midway point of the season, though, let’s take a closer look to see how the Huskers stack up compared to their peers. This article is focused on the offense. We'll focus more on defense and special teams later this week.

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Offense

True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been even better than advertised, showing not only fantastic passing ability but also good leadership, command of the offense and calm under pressure.

The Huskers didn’t have a 200-yard passer in any game last season. Raiola has eclipsed 200 yards in four of Nebraska’s first six games, and he’s done it while taking care of the ball, tossing just three interceptions, two of which were wrestled out of his receiver’s hands.

Speaking of receivers, that group is much improved from 2023, too. Five different receivers have double-digit catches (three wideouts); transfers Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks lead the way, each with over 280 yards — last season’s leading receiver, Billy Kemp IV, had 310 yards all season; Jacory Barney Jr., Janiran Bonner and Jaylen Lloyd have been electric with the ball in their hands; and Nebraska is averaging 10 more points per game than 2023.

Dante Dowdell has also been a great addition in the running game and is easily Nebraska’s leading rusher with 334 yards. However, the ground game is struggling more than last season, averaging 40 fewer rushing yards per game than last season.

The biggest reason for the rushing struggles seems to be a lack of big-play runs. According to Pro Football Focus, the Huskers have 16 carries that went for at least 10 yards this season but only five that have gone for 15 or more, below last season’s pace of 35 carries for 10+ yards and 14 of 15+. Additionally, Nebraska’s backs have forced 24 missed tackles, slightly below the 52 by last year’s group but not too significant yet.

Head coach Matt Rhule has noted the issue in the run game, too.

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

The Huskers are undoubtedly more talented on offense than last year and have the potential to be one of the best in the conference, at the very least. For now, they’ve yet to realize that full potential.

By the numbers, here is how the Huskers rank offensively in the Big Ten:

• 7th in passing yards per game (244.7).
• T-8th in passing touchdowns (9).
• T-7th-most interceptions thrown (3).
• 8th in completion rate (67.6%).
• 6th-fewest rushing yards per game (136.7).
• T-4th in rushing touchdowns (11).
• 211 carries (3rd-most) for 820 yards (10th), equaling 3.89 yards per carry (4th-worst).
• 79.2% scoring rate in the red zone (6th-lowest).
• 43.6% third-down conversion rate (9th).
• 4-for-8 on fourth-down conversions (6th-lowest conversion rate).

Here are the top performers on offense so far this season, according to PFF (average grade is 60.0):

• WR Jacory Barney Jr. — 80.9
• RB Dante Dowdell — 77.4
• TE Luke Lindenmeyer — 76.8
• QB Dylan Raiola — 75.7
• WR Jaylen Lloyd — 71.8
• RT Bryce Benhart — 71.8
• RB Rahmir Johnson — 71.3
• RB Emmett Johnson — 70.6
• LG Justin Evans-Jenkins — 70.2
• WR Jahmal Banks — 69.2

Statistically, the Huskers don’t have any key offensive contributors in the top-five of really any category in the Big Ten. However, PFF rates both Lindenmeyer and Thomas Fidone II among the best blockers at tight end, Ben Scott among the best pass-blockers at center, Evans-Jenkins among the best guards in the conference and Benhart among the best Big Ten tackles. Barney is also graded highly among wideouts.

Overall, it seems fair to give the group a "B" grade at this point of the season but perspective is important. Nebraska would've given anything for this level of production at this time last year. With a little better execution at important times and some bigger plays in the run game, the Huskers can be one of the best offenses in the conference.

What grade would you give Nebraska's offense so far?

Related: PFF player grades: Who stood out for the Huskers in 14-7 win over Rutgers?