NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska Radio Network analyst Damon Benning referenced bye-week talking points of Emmett Johnson for the Heisman Trophy and Coach Matt Rhule signaling a pat hand for NIL and added to the discussion about Huskers deserving all-conference honors.

He admitted to his Big Red Buzz audience at Valentino’s Restaurant in Nebraska City that chance meetings with the coach in an elevator can sometimes provide more insight about clothing retailers than NIL specifics, but he suspects the coach’s comments in recent weeks tell more about the depth of his personality than his war chest.

Benning said Coach Rhule likes the idea of having enough resources to compete nationally for players, but will not necessarily be eager to spend those resources.

He said culture and player retention are probably first on the coach’s mind.

Benning: “Their roster is pretty good. Their young talent is pretty good. If he can continue to build the culture where it’s hard to leave because you like it, you won’t need near as much money.”

Benning: “One thing Nebraska is really getting right is the mindset. … to watch them grow into cheering for one another, being super focused like dialed in, that’s the biggest.

He said Nebraska can combat NIL bidding wars and the freedom of movement that comes with the portal, by creating an environment where it’s very hard for players to not want to be there.

Benning: “They truly cheer and like one another.”

He says a proper mindset is evident.

Benning: “They played games without three starting tackles, arguably their best defensive player in (Dasan) McCullough, the lynch pin of their secondary in (Malcolm) Hartzog. They are on their second quarterback. You lost a four-star plus tight end to start the season, a really good player in (Janiran) Bonner to start the season and you’d almost never know.”

He said offensive guard Henry Lutovsky belongs in the discussion for post-season accolades. He said Rocco Spindler will be the easy choice for people looking to link a lineman to Johnson’s breakout season, but said Lutovsky is right there.

He also credited development for the “crazy confidence” that offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett is playing with.

Benning said there are still only seven teams in the country that haven’t given up more than 400 yards in a game this season and Nebraska is one of them.

He offered defensive back Ceyair Wright, defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri among those playing at an all-conference level.