Matt Rhule: Nebraska has three quarterbacks we can win with
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has built up a quarterback room with three capable quarterbacks in Jeff Sims, Chubba Purdy and Heinrich Haarberg. Sims started the season at quarterback but an injury has allowed Haarberg to start the last few games.
The Cornhuskers are on a bye this week, giving Sims even more time to get healthy make the battle for the starting spot a quarterback competition.
“I think Heinrich’s prepared at a high level to get himself ready to play,” Rhule said during his Tuesday press conference. “I think that room has that culture. I’ll be honest you, had Chubba not gotten hurt that day, I’m not so sure Chubba wouldn’t have gone out there first. I think Chubba would have done the same thing. That’s not a knock on Heinrich. I just think that room is — Jeff’s out there. He’s back healthy now just out there. He’s competing like crazy. We have three quarterbacks that I believe we can win with.”
Nebraska is 3-3 halfway through Rhule’s first season with a 1-2 record in conference play. Its first win came this weekend versus Illinois in Champaign, Ill.
Haarberg is 50 of 96 passing the ball on the year for 621 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Sims is 20 of 34 for 220 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Both are active in the run game. Haarberg is the team’s leading rusher with 352 yards and three touchdowns while Sims has 153 total yards on the ground.
“Each has their own strengths, and you have to kind of tailor what we’re doing to each guy,” Rhule said. “I think Heinrich is ready for his moment. He’s capitalized on it. He has a long way to go. He’s leaving a lot of things out there. The wear and tear of running him as many times as we’re doing, that can have an effect on you. He’s gaining that knowledge, hey, here’s how I can best take care of myself and prepare each week.”
Rhule praised offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield for putting Haarberg in positions to be successful. He also shouted out the rest of the team for doing things in practice to try and make Haarberg better going forward.
“Then I think Marcus is doing a good job of finding the throws that he feels comfortable with,” Rhule said. “Basically, most teams now are rushing three and they’re playing man and they’re dropping guys off and they’re trying to make sure he doesn’t leave the pocket and try to knock chip balls down because of his release. So our defense is trying to knock his balls down. He’s having to work through that. But he’s takes great ownership. I have a lot of respect for Heinrich. He had a ball batted down today and he was like, that’s on me. He gets angry at himself. I think he’ll turn himself into a really good player.”