This weekend marks one month since Nebraska held its second and final practice of the spring. We’ve slowly since grown accustomed to life without practice updates and playoff races.
At Nebraska, the spring game was set for next Saturday. The Lincoln forecast calls for sunshine and 60 degrees. Imagine the scene — a full stadium buzzing about quarterback Luke McCaffrey’s tantalizing athleticism or the play of newcomer Alante Brown.
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Who among the walk-ons would have taken most advantage of his day in the sun?
Here’s to a Red-White game in 2021 that no one takes for granted. And many other days like it.
On with the Mailbag. Thanks, as always, for your questions and for continuing to read our coverage.
Do you think the current situation will impact construction of the new football facility? What is the athletic department’s contribution in dollars to the project outside of private funding? — Sam C.
Yes. I believe it’ll be delayed. The timing of this financial distress could not have been timed more poorly for Nebraska as it undertakes the largest building project in the history of the athletic department.
Announced in September, the North Stadium Expansion Project was budgeted to cost $155 million in addition to the price tag of relocating the Huskers’ outdoor track facility. When the project was unveiled, athletic director Bill Moos said the school had raised $35 to $40 million of $100 million it hoped to collect from donors.
That leaves $55 million, plus associated costs, to come from athletic department funds, which have already taken a hit because of lost revenue as a result of the canceled NCAA basketball tournament. Nebraska is better positioned than most schools to handle the economic impact of a pandemic. But it is far from entirely sheltered, even with significant cash reserves to handle operating expenses if a budget shortfall exists.
Construction of the North Stadium Expansion Project was set to begin this spring, with the new football facility to open ahead of the 2022 season. Don’t count on it.
Do you have any insight on what players are doing to keep themselves in shape? Spring and summer is the time to add weight and strength? — Caleb L.
Nebraska has worked to provide guidance for its players, like all programs. Student-athletes are not allowed access to the weight rooms on campus. Gyms are closed off campus. So strength coaches have had to get creative. It’s a test of players’ ability to self start.
It helps, too, if, like sophom*ore Wan’Dale Robinson, your dad’s a fitness instructor.
Just as important, Nebraska’s nutrition department continues to provide meals for the athletes who’ve stayed in Lincoln.
Behind the scenes look at how Nebraska Performance Nutrition has continue to fuel athletes inspite of COVID-19 restrictions #FuelNHuskers pic.twitter.com/zgBpEprT3V
— Nebraska Performance Nutrition (@HuskerNutrition) March 28, 2020
No matter the motivation to stay healthy, no matter the makeshift workout areas and personal equipment available, nothing can replace the environment for football players at Memorial Stadium. Until they’re allowed to return, the Huskers will fall further behind their typical offseason track.
But it’s happening at every school. The impact of compromised conditions will be determined primarily by the effectiveness of players to adapt in this time and of programs to adjust in months ahead.
Who do you think is going to be the backup to Dedrick Mills this season? And if the season doesn’t kick off on time, what’s the second option? — Regg C.
In the spring, Rahmir Johnson was set to get the first shot as the No. 2 running back. I think you’d have seen a healthy dose in the spring game of Johnson in addition to walk-ons Brody Belt, Cooper Jewett, Zach Weinmaster and the Ruth brothers, Corbin and Connor — who are nephews of Nebraska icons Jeff and Joel Makovicka.
The Huskers need to protect Mills, the workhorse. Same with redshirt freshman Ronald Thompkins, who’s coming off multiple knee rehabs. When Sevion Morrison and Marvin Scott III arrive on campus and begin practice, they’ll immediately join the race to ease Mills’ load. I could see either of them rising to the role of top backup, considering Johnson’s smaller frame and Thompkins’ medical history.
Morrison is 6-foot and 200 pounds; Scott is 5-9, 200 and looks like the most physically prepared to hand out punishment alongside Mills against a Big Ten defense.
“What’s happening?” Working. pic.twitter.com/hA5rwbPECG
— Marvin Scott III (@Mscott4__) February 3, 2020
I’m not discounting any of them, including the redshirt freshmen. If making a pick today on who will rank as the Huskers’ second-leading ball carrier, I’ll go with Scott over Morrison. One of them almost certainly is going to avoid a redshirt.
As for your second question, if the season doesn’t begin on time, your guess is as good as mine. It’s too early here in April to understand the circ*mstances that could be in play. Somehow, some way, though, I think the season — or part of it — will be played.
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What was your path to get into sports journalism and cover Nebraska? Did you always know that you wanted to be in journalism? Being an Omaha native and a fan growing up, is it difficult to remain objective on Nebraska? — Ross V., Charlotte
My path began in high school. I had a great journalism teacher who recognized that I could write and pushed me to talk to people, which didn’t come as naturally. My school, Burke High in Omaha, played at a state-championship level in basketball and baseball — bad for my athletic career but beneficial for me as a burgeoning sportswriter.
Within weeks after I started college in Lincoln, I knew I wanted to stay in journalism. Basically, I was hooked upon publication of my first story in the Daily Nebraskan, a feature on tight end Trumane Bell. Again, it helped that I was covering a title contender. But I loved the energy around athletics at Nebraska and the feeling of reporting on it for my fellow students.
Your question about objectivity is one of the most common that I hear. No, it’s not difficult; I long ago set aside my feelings as a fan. It’s both the blessing and curse that comes with spending so much time in close proximity to the programs I grew up watching.
What happens to the record sellout streak if Nebraska has to play games with no fans in the stadium? Is it technically over or can the school somehow keep it alive like the Super Bowl streak was preserved with players on the practice squad or IR? — Micah H.
Do you think COVID-19 is going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back regarding the sellout streak? — Gil N.
If ticket purchases are refunded and fans are not permitted inside Memorial Stadium for a game or games in 2020, it’s difficult for me to see that as the end of the streak, which currently stands at 375 games and counts as an NCAA record.
The situation would be more tricky if Nebraska limited attendance in an attempt to create distance between fans and avoid spread of the coronavirus. I suppose if modified capacity was set at 20,000 and fans purchased every ticket, that’s technically a sellout.
Either scenario would probably warrant an asterisk in record books if the streak continued.
And Gil, I would not regard the virus as a straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s more like a brick (or a grenade). It’s possible, yes, that even if the streak remains intact in September, economic implications associated with the pandemic, travel restrictions or another unforeseen consequence could ultimately lead soon to its demise.
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Anything new on JD Spielman? What is your educated guess on his return? If he doesn’t return, who are the top five wide receivers next season? — Rod R.
All has been quiet from the Spielman camp, which is nothing new. Even before the shutdown, I think Nebraska was hoping for the best but preparing strategically for the worst — as if Spielman would depart for good.
I don’t know if the situation before us increases or decreases the likelihood of his return. Perhaps Spielman would consider entering his name in the NFL’s supplemental draft to improve his chances to play in 2020.
I expect some clarity by June 1.
If he’s not part of the mix, the top five wide receivers would likely include Robinson, Kade Warner and Omar Manning in addition to two of the seven freshmen and redshirt freshmen on scholarship. I’ll go with Chris Hickman and Brown, the early enrollee out of Chicago.
Mitch, are you getting any flak from people who say you shouldn’t be writing, talking or fantasizing about the return of sports during this pandemic? What are your thoughts on this subject or anyone who gives you grief regarding this? — Scott S.
Everyone with whom I’ve talked understands, I think, that sports content can serve as a healthy way to find balance. In fact, I’ve heard often from people who are thankful that The Athletic and other outlets are continuing to provide an escape.
My opinion is this: We all need to spend part of our days thinking about better times. Sports can help us heal when appropriate. In dark times, remembering sports and talking about them can give us a needed break.
Additionally, readers use our content as a resource for beneficial information. The pandemic and sports are not mutually exclusive. Athletes and coaches, even when sidelined, can offer help and hope to get us through. It’s our task to connect them to you.
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With a lot of talk about the tight ends, both on the roster and in recruiting, how do you see the position becoming more relevant under offensive coordinator Matt Lubick? Love the articles and especially the podcast. Thanks for all you guys do. — Keenan S., Gallatin Gateway, Mont.
Thanks, Keenan. Be sure to check out “The Sellouts” next week. We’re working on what’s likely to rate as my favorite episode so far of the offseason.
The tight ends have caught just 64 passes and four touchdowns in 24 games under Scott Frost. Sean Beckton likes his veteran-led group this year, especially with the addition of junior Travis Vokolek. They appear capable of big improvement. But as Frost said in my examination of the Nebraska pass-catchers, the production of the tight ends hinges also on the players around them.
Nebraska quarterbacks must recognize the tight ends when open and look to them in the red zone. I was surprised to hear Beckton say that senior Jack Stoll ran the best, most precise routes of the Huskers tight ends. Too often last year, Stoll seemed stuck in traffic behind the line of scrimmage when targeted. It points to peripheral problems that hampered offensive efficiency.
I’m from Lincoln and live in Alaska. I yearn for Husker sports. Who are your top five female athletes at Nebraska this century? Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of college running backs born in Nebraska? Would you rather have a cheese Runza with Frings and onion dip or a Swiss Mushroom Runza with onion rings? — Morgan W.
Awesome, creative questions.
I’ll go with Kelsey Griffin on the basketball court. My only dip into women’s basketball coverage at Nebraska came in 2009, when Griffin, as a first-team All-American and the Big 12 Player of the Year, led the Huskers to an unbeaten regular season and the Sweet 16.
I’m tempted to pick four volleyball players for the remaining spots. They go to Jordan Larson, Sarah Pavan, Mikaela Foecke and Kelly Hunter. But I’m leaving off one — sorry, Kelly — to include Angela Mercurio on this list. If you’re not familiar, her story is incredible.
Mt. Rushmore of Nebraska-born running backs: Gale Sayers, Ahman Green, Bobby Reynolds and Tom Rathman (because we need a fullback on the list), with a nod to Nile Kinnick, who was born in Iowa but grew into a star at Omaha Benson High School.
I love Frings, but the Swiss Mushroom Runza is my favorite, so that’s my choice, with the onion rings.
(Photo of Rahmir Johnson: G Fiume / Getty Images)
