Steven Sipple: Let’s see some Husker punt returns; Barthel’s telling comments on Dowdell; and Raiola’s ranking among Big Ten QBs

Things I know, and things I think I know: I’m not here to do a full breakdown of Nebraska’s special teams. Even the mere thought of such a task bores the bejesus out of me.

But there is one part that always has my attention.

For the sake of old-fashioned Saturday fun on Stadium Drive — and as a way to inject energy into Nebraska’s football program — it would be useful to see marked improvement in the punt return game.

A longtime Husker fan and good friend of mine — he goes by Missing Tooth Greg — pointed out that in the past three seasons, Nebraska has returned only 29 punts for 114 yards, an average of 3.93 yards per attempt. You don’t have to be Joel Klatt to understand the anemic nature of that average.

Put it this way: Nebraska’s total of 114 punt return yards over three seasons wouldn’t have cracked the top 50 for individual punt return yards in 2023 alone . Kevin Coleman of Louisville last season ranked 51st nationally with 117 return yards on 26 tries.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Last season, Matt Rhule’s first year in charge for Nebraska, the Huskers returned 16 punts for 48 yards, the yardage total tying Stanford for 117th nationally. Billy Kemp (six returns for 24 yards) and Ethan Nation (seven for 23) handled the bulk of the duties. They’re no longer in the program.

A handful of Nebraska players are now competing for the job — one of the toughest in sports — as the Huskers head into the dog days of preseason camp. True freshman speedster Jacory Barney seems like an intriguing option, as do senior receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda and sophomore running back Emmett Johnson . Stay tuned.

The Weekly Rundown: Nebraska takes on another critical week of Fall Camp

Nebraska has rich history of punt returners

My keen interest in the topic stems in part from Nebraska’s relatively rich history of stellar return men, most notably Johnny Rodgers — who, as legend has it, could move as fast sideways as he could straight ahead. Whatever the case, from 1970 to 1972, he returned 98 punts for 1,515 yards (15.5 yards per attempt), with seven touchdowns.

In 1971, as Nebraska captured its second straight national championship, Rodgers returned 33 punts for 548 yards (16.6), with three TDs.

In 2014, all-time Husker great De’Mornay Pierson-El finished second nationally with an average of 17.5 yards per return. His 596 total punt return yards topped the nation by nearly 200 yards.

But 2001 was in some ways even more remarkable in that four Nebraska punt return men — led by DeJuan Groce and Keyuo Craver — amassed a nation-leading 848 yards in returns. Groce returned 33 for 469 yards (14.2) and a touchdown, while Keyuo Craver returned 21 for 246 (11.7). People tend to forget Ben Cornelsen returned 10 punts for 124 yards (12.4) that season.

Groce came back in 2002 and reeled off 43 returns for a school-record 732 yards (17.02).

Yes, the college game’s changed some. But it isn’t like punt returns have gone away. In fact, the three teams that returned the most punts in the nation last season reside in the Big Ten. Penn State led the way with 31 returns (for 334 yards/10.77), while Michigan and Iowa had 30 returns apiece — the Wolverines gaining 312 yards (10.4) and the Hawkeyes 304 (10.13).

If you’re making excuses for Nebraska right now — trying to tell me why it can’t happen — just stop. Returning punts often indicates a certain level of aggression in a program. Rhule is an aggressive-minded head coach.

Let’s see it manifest itself in the punt return game.

It’d be one good way to help take heat off a freshman QB.

Nebraska RBs coach offers insight on Dowdell

Dante Dowdell , a touted transfer from Oregon, appears to be No. 4 on Nebraska’s running backs depth chart (unofficially), based on what we heard last week from second-year Husker running backs coach E.J. Barthel .

Many people, including yours truly, assumed Dowdell arrived in Lincoln this winter refined enough to perhaps take over the position. But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Dowdell, who rushed for 90 yards on 17 carries last season for the Ducks, needed development. Imagine that: A young player — he’s a true sophomore — needing development.

“I think when he first got here, he was closer to a high school running back where he wasn’t really using his eyes and was trying to use power for everything,” Barthel told reporters. “He’s really now starting to understand tempo, he’s understanding reads. So, he’s really gone from a short-yardage, powerful kid to transitioning to be a guy that we can play on every down.

“That comes with repetition and experience, and that’s what he’s getting right now. He’s had a really good camp.”

There’s no question some players arrive on campus much more prepared to play key roles than others. For some, development is critical. It’s an interesting conversation. Fans and media often emphasize the importance of coaches being able to develop players, but write off players before they even have a chance to develop.

Keep an eye on Dowdell. He’ll get there.

Athlon Sports ranks Big Ten quarterbacks

Athlon was on the mark, or close enough, in ranking Nebraska true freshman Dylan Raiola seventh among Big Ten quarterbacks. If all goes as planned at NU, seventh will be as low as it ever gets for the 6-3, 230-pound gunslinger.

He came in just behind sophomore Aidan Chiles of Michigan State and a notch in front of veteran Tyler Van Dyke of Wisconsin. The top five: Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Drew Allar (Penn State), Will Howard (Ohio State), Miller Moss (USC), and Will Rogers (Washington).

It’s not an especially strong crop of Big Ten quarterbacks this season. To wit: The drop-off from Gabriel to Allar is awfully steep.

Side note: As Athlon points out, 14 of the conference’s 18 teams could start a transfer QB in 2024.

That’s a sign of the times but nonetheless remarkable.

Here and there …

***Michigan’s arrogance in the face of blatant NCAA rules violations is a turn-off. In fact, if I were czar of college football, I’d put the kibosh on Jim Harbaugh appearing as an honorary captain for UM’s August 31 home game against Fresno State. Harbaugh, because of his recruiting rules violations — and because he lied to NCAA investigators — is effectively banned from coaching in college perhaps until 2028.

That’s right, he’s banned from college football (for one season, no matter what). Let that sink in. Imagine being banned from your profession. And UM is making him an honorary captain?

I’m a fan of Harbaugh, generally speaking. But Michigan is basically giving the college football world a big middle finger.

***Nebraska is listed by College Football News as one of five teams most likely to surprise the world this season. The others are Texas A&M, Baylor, Arizona State, and Indiana. The Hoosiers may have hit it big with their hire of Curt Cignetti . That’s my gut feeling, for what it’s worth.

*** Bill Busch says these clearly are the dog days of preseason camp because players around the country have a hard time seeing light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Many guys are tired and beat up. Next week, though, they’ll see some light. We’ll all see it. The opener for teams is nearing. Rejoice.

***A former sports editor at the Lincoln Journal Star, Todd Henrichs, used to tell me to “surprise” him with a column topic. It was an excellent motivational tactic. Kept me on my toes. Rhule might try telling his punt return unit to “surprise” him this season. Just a thought.

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