The 2016 season had it's ups and downs for Nebraska, as the Huskers improved to 9-4 from 6-7 in head coach Mike Riley's first season at NU.
We look back now at each position from this past season breaking down the highs, lows and what the future holds at each position going forward.
Today we look at the running back position and analyze what went right in 2016 and what went wrong.
High point: Fourth quarter running dominance
At times it wasn't pretty for Nebraska's rushing attack in 2016, especially when the offensive line got banged up. However, led by senior Terrell Newby the Huskers found ways to get production when it mattered. That was never more evident in Big Ten wins over Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. Against Illinois Newby had 113 of his 140 rushing yards in the fourth quarter.
Against Indiana, the score was 24-22 with 8:26 left in the game and Newby helped lead NU to a 15-play, 60-yard drive that ate up 7:41 on the clock and allowed NU to kick a field goal to ice the victory. Newby had nine carries for 49 yards on that clock eating drive.
A similar script played out against Purdue, as Newby was able to help the Husker ground game take control of the game and give the Huskers a 27-14 victory.
Low point: The rough finish
In games against Iowa and Tennessee where Nebraska desperately needed production from their running backs, they were nowhere to be seen. In the 40-10 loss at Iowa NU got just 80 yards rushing on 21 carries. They particularly struggled early when the offense desperately needed to find some balance against the Hawkeyes.
In NU's 38-24 loss to Tennessee in the Music City Bowl the Huskers only got 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. The Vols had one of the nation's worst rushing attacks, and Nebraska failed to expose that when quarterback Ryker Fyfe needed some support on the ground to slow down Tennessee's pass rush.
Memorable moments
Two goal line fumbles at Northwestern: In a game Nebraska won 24-13 at Northwestern, Husker running backs Devine Ozigbo and Newby both had fumbles at the goal line that took off 14 points from the scoreboard. The Huskers would go on to rush for 310 yards on the day.
Newby's 63-yard run to ice the Illinois game: On a day where nothing was easy for Nebraska, Newby finally gave the Husker offense an explosive 63-yard touchdown run to put away the game.
Carrying the load on Senior Day: In his final game at Memorial Stadium, Newby had a career day scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 98 yards on 22 carries.
Position snapshot
Coming: Jaylin Bradley, Ben Miles
Going: Terrell Newby, Graham Nabity, Jordan Nelson, Mitch McCann
Returning: Devine Ozigbo, Jr; Mikale Wibon, Jr.; Tre Bryant, So.; Adam Taylor, Sr.; Luke McNitt, Sr.; Harrison Jordan, Sr.; Tanner Haas, RFr., Noah Johnson, RFr.; Wyatt Mazour, So.; Sean Lambert, RFr.; Austin Rose, Jr.; Austin Hemphill, So.; Spencer Jordan, RFr.; Bo Kitrell, Jr.;
Looking head to the spring
As we get ready for the start of spring practice in two months it appears there will be a three-horse race at running back between Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon. All three players had their moments this year, but Ozigbo may have had the best body of work.
You still get the sense this staff is very high on Bryant and the fact they played him over Ozigbo late in the season was telling. Wilbon will also have a role in this offense. The bottom line is you need more than one running back for different situations.
