4 Nebraska football players who need more snaps against Akron

After a hard-fought win against Cincinnati last Thursday, Nebraska football will enter Saturday’s game against Akron as a 34.5-point favorite.

It’s a big spread. Yet, after Akron didn’t score at all in a 10-0 loss to Wyoming last week, it’s understandable. Nebraska only scored 20 points, but it left some meat on the bone.

Anything is possible in college football. Yet, it seems like it would take a miracle for Akron to win this game, although there was an act of God the last time the Zips were in town.

From a Nebraska perspective, some things need to improve after Week 1, and with that in mind, here are four Huskers who deserve more playing time this week.

Eliah Pritchett, LT

The Alabama transfer was the highest-graded player in the three-way battle between Turner Corcoran, Gunnar Gottula, and Prichett in the season opener. Pre-snap penalties have doomed Pritchett. He had a false start at the one-yard line.

Outside of that, Pritchett looked like the best left tackle. You can’t overlook the pre-snap stuff, but it feels like that can be a coaching point. He’s got to avoid penalties, but if he can, he should be the starting left tackle.

Mekhi Nelson, RB

Matt Rhule and Dana Holgorsen have each said that Nebraska should have given other running backs more carries last Thursday, yet Emmett Johnson got the hot hand, so the Huskers stuck with him.

The only problem is that Johnson getting 25 carries a game isn’t sustainable. The Huskers have to be smarter than that. I wouldn’t expect more than 10-12 touches for Johnson this week.

Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee, even Kwinten Ives, should get their opportunities. We have heard from Nebraska coaches that Nelson is a dynamic runner. It’s time to see what he can do.

Riley Van Poppel

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive tackle played just 20 snaps against Cincinnati. The PFF grades weren’t great for Van Poppel or Elijah Jeudy, but PFF grades aren’t the end-all or be-all.

Van Poppel made the most out of his 20 snaps, getting in on four tackles, getting credited with a QB hurry, and also a STOP, which is basically a win for the defense. It’s not just viewed as a normal tackle.

Jeudy didn’t register any stats on 32 snaps. One game is one game, but Van Poppel should be on the field more regardless.

Vincent Shavers

It didn’t take long for sophomore Vincent Shavers to make an impact against Cincinnati. The forced fumble late in the first half was a huge play in the game. It led to a touchdown, and Nebraska football might be 0-1 without Shavers forcing that takeaway.

If you are talking about game-changing plays, there wasn’t a bigger play than Shavers’ forced fumble. He graded out as Nebraska’s best pass rusher and coverage linebacker. Both of Shavers’ tackles were rated as STOPS, giving him three impact plays in just 29 snaps.

The dynamic sophomore played less than Javin Wright and Marques Watson-Trent. He should be playing more. Frankly, he should play every snap on defense from scrimmage, outside of rest and being injured.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.