2026 Episode 10: Dana Holgorsen and The Runningbacks

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule told the Big 10 Network that the 2026 Huskers are his best team, by far! If that’s the case, the offense is going to have to make some major improvements if that statement reflects in the win column.

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka dive deep into Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen and specifically the running back room.

Holgorsen is in the last year of his two-year contract with Nebraska. In his first full season as the Big Red’s play caller, the Huskers offense made significant improvement in every offensive statistic with the exception of passing yards per game, where they actually went backward.

We aren’t saying Holgorsen is on the hot seat, but if this is the best team by far since Rhule arrived in Lincoln, the offense will be expected to make another big jump.

A lot is still unknown about whether that will happen.  An offensive line that has not played together. A new quarterback who last took a snap against a Big 10 team in 2023 when he was at Virginia. And the Huskers must replace All-American running back Emmett Johnson, who accounted for 40.7% of Nebraska’s offensive yards last season. The running back room has virtually no starting experience to speak of as the season starts. 

No, Nebraska does not have a Johnson-like back on the roster; expect a more committee-based running back attack.

• Mekhi Nelson (Sophomore)
• Isaiah Mozee  (Sophomore)
• Kwinten Ives  (Junior)
• Jamal Rule  (True Freshman

Others could work into the mix, like Conor Booth and Tikey Hayes. However, based on the Huskers' schedule, the offense and the running game will be huge factors in whether Nebraska can reach eight, or even nine, wins. 

Here are Nebraska’s offensive statistics and rankings from last season.

Category	2025	2025 Rank	2024 Rank
Scoring Offense	28.7	58th	103
Total Offense	370.5	80th	94th
Passing Offense	224.6	70th	65th
Running Offense	145.9	79th	96th
Yards Per Play	5.8	68th	106th
3rd Down %	45.7%	72nd	Top 20

 

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