Nebraska's Jamal Rule earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Nebraska freshman running back Jamal Rule's strong college debut against Ohio was recognized by the Big Ten Conference on Monday as the league's freshman of the week. Rule carried 15 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns and added two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in the win. His 100-yard rushing game was the first by a freshman in a season opener since quarterback Adrian Martinez had 117 rushing yards against Colorado in the 2018 opener. Rule was the first Husker running back to have 100 rushing yards in a season opener since Tierre Green, who ran for 112 yards against Western Illinois in 2004. "It was great, unreal. It was good to see all the fans, you know, just happy for me, seeing my brothers on the sideline happy for me," Rule said after the game. "You know, it was great, it was crazy." Rule will continue to be part of a three-man rotation along with Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee. The Husker offense accounted for 248 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the win. "I like the explosive nature, I like the way he carried the football," Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said of the opening game. "I challenged the guys at halftime, too many tackles, we should take it to the house, and then all of a sudden, you follow it up with, he has a long run, Mekhi (Nelson) has a long run. I like those things, you know, we're up by 14. He takes one 40 or 50, and as I said to him, there are eight minutes left but it's kind of four minute mode, like we don't want to run out of bounds. There's a lot of football to continue to teach, I've been asked that question a lot, but it's the first game. It's not the Big Ten, but I like the backs. It's a good start for them, and now we'll just have to build off it with them. Just keep chipping away, but Jamal (Rule) had a great start for a freshman." Rule is the first Husker freshman to earn the conference weekly honor since TJ Lateef did last season against UCLA.