LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule called an audible on his plan to entirely eliminate full-pad scrimmaging on the day of what normally would be the Cornhuskers’ spring game.
Rhule said Thursday that the April 26 event replacing the spring game would include an undetermined amount of live scrimmaging for mostly third- and fourth-string players.
Rhule last month announced his school’s traditional spring game would not be held, citing concerns about other teams scouting his players in a televised scrimmage and possibly poaching them.
He said he wants to give another opportunity to borderline players who are trying to make the 105-man roster in the fall and also to players who already have been told they won’t be on the team in the fall but need video of practice footage to show other schools if they want to keep playing.
“The guys who are cemented in their spots won’t play,” Rhule said. “Some guys might ask to play. Some are (second string) but they want to prove they’re a (starter).”