Ed Foley called the play “Crash,” and it certainly crashed Purdue’s party just before Halloween.
The Nebraska special teams coordinator was hired by Matt Rhule to be aggressive, and the best example of Foley’s approach came on the Boilermakers’ field-goal attempt midway through the Oct. 28 game.
NU corner Tommi Hill rolled in off the right edge. The middle of NU’s line got a big push. And Nebraska corner Quinton Newsome, coming from the left edge, ran and stopped, as if waiting for something.
The ball, that is. Which got blocked by Elijah Jeudy and fell right into Newsome’s arms. The Husker senior took the gift and returned it for a Nebraska touchdown.
“Quinton was in what we call our scoop-and-score position,” Foley said the following week after the play, which contributed to a Nebraska win. You only designate such a player if you expect said scoop-and-score to eventually happen.
In 2023, it did for NU’s special teams. The Huskers weren’t necessarily consistent from game to game, and probably have room to grow with kicker Tristan Alvano and punter Brian Buschini. But Foley, a longtime Rhule aide who also handles in-state recruiting, had the Huskers taking risks and making plays at times in 2023.
“Special teams are vital,” Rhule said during the season.
Here were the vitals for NU:
Standouts
Under Foley, Nebraska took more chances and made bigger plays, including the blocked field goal for a touchdown, a successful fake field goal and a well-timed fake punt. NU hit a key kick return in the season-opening game at Minnesota. The Huskers’ kick and punt coverage, with the exception of a handful of moments, was excellent, with good tackling from gunners. The special teams culture appeared strong.
Struggles
NU finished 95th in special teams efficiency, according to ESPN, because kicker Tristan Alvano and punter Brian Buschini lacked consistency. Alvano missed six field goals, including a couple of costly ones that might have helped the Huskers early in games. Buschini put a lot of punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line — that’s what Foley wanted — but he did not consistently flip the field. NU’s gross average of 40.6 yards per game ranked 100th in FBS, with dismal performances at Colorado and Michigan State. The Huskers had just 48 punt return yards, which ranked 117th nationally.
Snap counts
Phalen Sanford 223, Garrett Snodgrass 178, Mikai Gbayor 152, Ty Hahn 143, Javin Wright 132, Grant Tagge 116, Brian Buschini 115.
Staying put
Kickers Tristan Alvano and Timmy Bleekrode, punter Brian Buschini, returners Tommi Hill, Rahmir Johnson and Ethan Nation.
See you later
Long snapper Marco Ortiz, returner Billy Kemp, special teams core players Phalen Sanford and Garrett Snodgrass.
Stepping on campus
Punter Kamdyn Koch; returners Jacory Barney, Caleb Benning and Mario Buford.