Nebraska faces its toughest test yet as Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood brings a new rushing dimension with coaching legend Urban Meyer sounding the alarm. The Huskers’ defense must prepare for an evolved offensive threat that could expose critical weaknesses.
Bryce Underwood’s Rushing Attack Creates Nightmare for Nebraska Defense
Michigan’s quarterback showed a completely different side this time against Central Michigan last weekend. He added designed runs to his game for the first time this season.
Urban Meyer explains how Underwood’s ground game versus Central Michigan pressures every Big Ten defense:
“This is the play that changes it all. It’s called a quarterback direct run. Something you remember, he did not show this the first few games. This is quarterback counter. The offense line is simply blocking counter.”
The former Ohio State coach highlighted the fact that this one simple change totally changes the blocking scheme and gives math advantages.
“Now, instead of handing it to the tailback, like we showed on the board, you know what the tailback is? He’s the lead blocker. You are a plus one in the box now, anytime you run a direct run with a quarterback.”
Meyer was very excited to tell how Underwood’s innate sports ability was clearly visible in the breakaway runs:
“Tremendous athlete, again, outrunning the angle of the safety, and this is a big cat running the ball. This play, to me, put every defensive coordinator, especially John Butler, the Nebraska defensive coordinator, you are now on call because you have a quarterback run in the offense.”
“This is the play that changes it all.”@CoachUrbanMeyer explains how Bryce Underwood’s ground game vs. Central MI pressures every @bigten defense 👇 pic.twitter.com/bBmjp7JQvK
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 18, 2025
Meyer’s analysis highlights the math problem Underwood creates. When the quarterback keeps the ball, Michigan gains an extra blocker in the running game. This simple addition of a new defensive player makes every defensive call more difficult.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Underwood rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns against Central Michigan. He showed genuine breakaway speed that caught defenders off guard.
Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler faces serious pressure. His defense has struggled with mobile quarterbacks this season. Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby ran for 96 yards in the season opener, exposing similar weaknesses.
Butler’s unit allows 136 rushing yards per game through three contests. That number becomes more concerning when facing a quarterback with Underwood’s athletic ability.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore has given Underwood the green light to showcase his complete skill set. This call transforms the Wolverines’ offensive identity and creates some challenging situations for opposing defenses.
The Huskers must find answers quickly. Underwood’s rushing ability adds a dimension that wasn’t present in Michigan’s early games. Butler’s defensive scheme faces its biggest challenge yet against this evolved offensive weapon.
Nebraska’s season could hinge on how well it handles this new threat from Ann Arbor.