Jamal Rule emerging from the shadows to shine for NU’s backfield

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s true freshman running back is coming off a magnificent performance in the win over Ohio, and will likely be a household name by December.

Jamal Rule turned heads, and raised eyebrows with the way he maneuvered past would-be tacklers, and showed a nose for the endzone. After all, Rule scored three total touchdowns against the Bobcats, and became the Huskers’ first freshman since 2004, to rush for a 100-plus yards in a season-opener.

The former three-star prospect basically picked up from where he left off in the Red & White Game, when Rule rushed for 119 yards. What separates Rule from the rest of the pack, is his rare blend of speed, and power that allows him to plow over linebackers, and outrun defensive backs.

Although Nebraska has a deep backfield this season, Rule is establishing himself as the headliner, and Big Red Nation is noticing. Rule showed his explosiveness, and averaged a jaw-dropping, 8.1 yards per carry on the afternoon, but is still not satisfied. His father Henry taught him to never to be complacent, which transformed Rule’s work ethic throughout the years.

“I kind of expect this of myself, with the way I hold myself to a high standard, and when I chose to start playing football,” Rule said. “My dad instilled a hard-working mentality, so even when I did good he always nitpicked me, and told me that wasn’t good enough.”

Rule split carries with Mekhi Nelson, and Isaiah Mozee, and the trio did some damage in the ground game, and aerial attack. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder hauled in two passes out of the backfield, including a 24-yard touchdown, which revealed his soft hands and versatility. The offense didn’t get off to a fast start due to penalties, and mental mistakes in the first half, and that’s something Rule intends on correcting with his teammates.

However, everything started to click in the second half, and those small gains from the first two quarters turned into big chunks over the final 30 minutes, which Rule enjoyed. The more the Huskers pounded the ball in the heat, the more tender the Bobcats’ front seven became.

“We like to say we gave them body blows with every play, working and taking their life away,” he said. “Getting chunk plays, then chunk plays turn into big plays, and I wouldn’t say fatigue set in for them, it was the fact that we harped on our execution a little bit more.”

What surprised Rhule the most about Saturday’s outing was the atmosphere. Nebraska fans made Memorial Stadium a Sea of Red, and Rule soaked it all in. There was no doubt in Rule’s mind that he wanted to take advantage of the spotlight, and wow the Husker fans in attendance with his athletic ability. Rule felt he accomplished that feat, and then some, and expects to eventually be a fan favorite.

“It was an awesome experience, and unreal because I expected to have a good game, but I didn’t expect to find the endzone three times,” the North Carolina native said. “I’m proud of myself a little bit, I ain’t gonna lie.”

Rule understands that he didn’t do it all by himself, and appreciates the big boys up front for opening up holes, and consistently getting a great push at the point of attack. The offensive linemen don’t get enough recognition to Rule, so he always reminds them of how valuable they are to the offense.

Now Rule is riding that big wave of momentum through practice after his stellar outing, and feels he’s just cracking the surface of his potential. At the end of the day, he knows the best is yet to come, and it’s great to be a Husker.

“Just walking onto the field, and seeing all of the fans I teared up a little bit, like wow, because it’s great to be here.”