Nebraska Football: Billy Kemp’s usage needs to increase Saturday

The Nebraska football offense was stagnant at times during Thursday’s 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. One statistic in particular was jarring. Nebraska football ran 60 plays total. Wide receiver Billy Kemp was the first target in the passing game progression on nine of those.

To put it simply, that is not a good number. Nebraska football needs to make Kemp a focal point in the offense moving forward. For one, he is one of the few veteran starting wide receivers on the offense. Nebraska is going to need the veterans they have at the position to step up, especially with the latest injury news to Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda.

Secondly, the slot receiver position could be Jeff Sims’s best friend. Sims struggled making his reads on Thursday, and that was evident.  Nebraska football really does not have a top-tier weapon on the outside. Yes, Kemp is small at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. Yet, he has a strong ability to run after the catch, and would give Sims a security blanket if nothing is open on the outside.

Matt Rhule says of the 60 plays Nebraska called, Billy Kemp was the first target in the passing game progression on nine of those.

Rhule: "Really, Billy we have to find a way to get going. He's too good of a player." #Huskers

— Luke Mullin (@LjsLuke) September 4, 2023

Nebraska football needs a spark

Nebraska football needs to find some sort of spark offensively in the passing game, and Kemp could be the answer. The one downside with the wideout is that size. A good defense could take him away rather easily.

Nebraska football needs to simplify things for Sims right now. Allowing Kemp to be the first read on more than nine plays would be a start. Give Sims the opportunity for quick, relatively safe, high-percentage throws. That could give the quarterback confidence, and also allow Kemp to get into a rhythm as well.

Getting Billy Kemp involved in this offense more is crucial. For what it’s worth, I believe Marcus Satterfield did a decent job last Thursday. Nevertheless, Kemp was under-utilized.   He needs to be the first target in the passing game progression on at least half of the passing plays Nebraska calls. It would make life easier for the quarterback, and allow Kemp to establish a presence early.

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