Nebraska expects to have inside linebacker Luke Reimer back for Saturday’s matchup against Northwestern. Reimer—who was put on scholarship prior to the season—was out for the Huskers’ season opener against Ohio State. He was missed too, especially after playing in 10 games as a true freshman.
Inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud, who appeared on the Sports Nightly Nebraska Football Show on Thursday, said Reimer “probably” would have been able to play against Wisconsin. You know, if that game had happened. Reimer rolled an ankle the week before the Ohio State matchup, but things are looking good now.
And Ruud has been impressed by Reimer from the get-go. Same for Coach Scott Frost.
“Luke Reimer’s a guy I’ve been impressed with since he first stepped on campus,” Frost said earlier on Thursday. “He had a little bit of an ankle (injury). Expect him to be fine Saturday and ready to go.”
Reimer’s return will help the Huskers’ rotation at inside linebacker too. While Ruud felt his group was “pretty solid” against Ohio State, but it’ll still be nice to have more help for seniors Will Honas and Collin Miller. Those two are clearly the leaders of the group, while a guy like Reimer is up and coming. Ruud also complimented Nick Henrich, saying he could play all four linebacker positions if needed. He also spoke highly of Garrett Snodgrass and Eteva Mauga-Clements.
Ruud credited his inside linebackers for their tackling against the Buckeyes and said they communicated well. The only thing missing, per Ruud, was forcing a turnover.
Could they come against Northwestern? We’ll see soon enough. For now, it sounds like Ruud, alongside Frost, are just happy to have a guy like Reimer back on the field.
More news and notes:
>> Defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt and Deontai Williams will have to sit out the first half of the matchup with Northwestern in order to serve a suspension brought about by second-half targeting ejections against Ohio State on Oct. 24.
Frost said earlier in the week that he didn’t think the rule was “necessarily fair to these kids,” and Ruud agreed. While he understands the rule, he still feels it’s too harsh. Ruud said he doesn’t think players should miss a portion of a game for a judgement call.
>> Who has stepped up after the departure of Mohamed Barry? Ruud pointed to Miller as the guy who has stepped up as the hardest worker in the room. He said there’s a reason he was voted a captain.
>> About that piped in crowd noise . . . Let’s just say Ruud isn’t a fan.
The Big Ten provided each school with “crowd-noise murmur” soundtracks that can be played during the game, with the noise level going no higher than 70 decibels during play.
Ruud called the piped in crowd noise at Ohio State “awkward,” noting a small delay before it would kick in after big plays. He didn’t notice it otherwise.
