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Just prior to Mike Riley meeting the media in Lincoln, the Big Ten announced that FS1 will televise the November 11 game between Nebraska and Minnesota from Minneapolis at 11 am central time. With Nebraska’s “Black Friday” game already scheduled for FS1, the Huskers game at Penn State may be ESPN’s only opportunity to televise the Big Red this season. (Every other Husker game have been on a Fox network: BTN, Fox or FS1)
The injury news from the Purdue game is... not good.
C Michael Decker is likely done for the season, per Riley, and RG Tanner Farmer (high ankle sprain) out for an extended period of time.
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) October 30, 2017
Riley says Luke Gifford is still questionable with a hip injury. Aaron Williams (neck) Antonio Reed (knee) are also questionable.
— DN Sports (@dnsports) October 30, 2017
OLB Tyrin Ferguson (foot) also out "an extended period of time."
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) October 30, 2017
Jaylin Bradley also injured his ankle. Hopeful he can get back this week.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 30, 2017
Also, Eric Lee Jr. Is going through concussion protocol, Riley said. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
Tanner Lee throws for 431 yards so naturally first question is why the running game can't get going. "You have to block them," Riley says.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
Riley says Nebraska has struggled running the ball because it can't repeatedly win the 1-on-1 blocking matchups.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) October 30, 2017
Also, Eric Lee Jr. Is going through concussion protocol, Riley said. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
Redshirt freshman Matt Farniok will take over for Farmer at right guard, next to true freshman right tackle Brendan Jaimes.
Riley said he likes Matt Farniok at guard "a lot. He's best suited physically, and is strong." #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
"Jaimes appears to be really, really stable every day. He's used to a lot of football. Maybe that helps him," Riley said of frosh tackle.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
But about that offensive line, which was, well, offensive to most Husker fans Saturday night.
Tanner Lee throws for 431 yards so naturally first question is why the running game can't get going. "You have to block them," Riley says.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017
Well, there you have it. Read between the lines, folks.
Riley said he had long talk with Langsdorf on how to run the ball vs NW. A couple runs Nebraska can repeat.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 30, 2017
Here’s a couple more thoughts...
Riley: "We certainly never intended to be like this with the running stats." Said NU will do what it needs to to win games.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) October 30, 2017
Riley says he's thought about mixing in more tempo offense. Had some success w/ it against #Purdue. #Huskers
— Joe Quinn (@JoeESPN590) October 30, 2017
At the very least, fewer power formations because other than Tyler Hoppes’ pass catching, the tight ends have been a weakness on this team. (You can run out of shotgun and spread formations, BTW.)
Mike Riley: "Tyler Hoppes, that's what I've been waiting to see there at that position." Lot of high degree of difficulty catches by Hoppes
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 30, 2017
And for as poorly as Tanner Lee played in September, he’s actually played fairly well in October. Really well in the second half against Purdue:
Mike Riley on QB Tanner Lee: "He did his best job the other night of looking down the field for a throw, and hitting a checkdown" #Huskers
— World-Herald Big Red (@OWHbigred) October 30, 2017
On defense, sophomore cornerback Lamar Jackson earned kudos from the head coach for his play.
Riley said Lamar Jackson played well, had one of his better game. Finished with eight tackles. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 30, 2017