Nebraska vs. Northwestern Injury Report: Decoldest Crawford, Cam Porter and more

With the Keough-Naughton trophy up for grabs, the Big 10 rivals will open the 2022 season in Dublin, Ireland, where they will play at the Aviva Stadium - home of the national rugby and soccer team. The concept of football in Ireland is not new, as this will be seventh game since 1988 - first since 2016 and third at Aviva Stadium.

The 10-hour flight from Nebraska to Ireland will mark the first time an NCAA team has played a game internationally in five years. Nebraska opens up as 13.5 favorites over Northwestern, according to Fanduel. But, the injuries both teams are facing could make the game more competitive.

University of Nebraska Injury Report

Decoldest Crawford, WR, Freshman 

One of the highest recruits of the Nebraska 2022 recruiting class was a wide receiver, Decoldest Crawford. He was set to be one of the team’s breakout stars, repeatedly getting praised by his head coach. But, during fall practice, he suffered a significant injury to his right knee. “Decoldest is going to be out for an extended period with a knee injury,” said Nebraska head coach Scott Frost. “ He was the only major injury we suffered.” Crawford doesn’t have an exact time frame for return. Nevertheless, at least in rehab, he can keep grinding with NIL endorsements.

Gabe Ervin Jr., RB, Redshirt Freshman

Gabe Ervin Jr. was just a freshman when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He started his college career fast, beating out Sevion Morrison, Marvin Scott III, Markese Stepp, and Rahmir Johnson for the starting running back job. His numbers weren’t as impressive out the gate, but he clicked in the third game of the season. He ran ten times for 56 yards against Buffalo, averaging 5.6 yards per carrying. Then the unthinkable happened, and on the second carry of his next game, he suffered a severe knee injury. Since then, Ervin has been on a long road to recovery, but his coach has never stopped believing in him.

“Yea, Gabe’s made a great comeback, Gabe is a better player than before he got hurt,” said Frost. “He sat out today we gave him a rest day because it flared up a little.”

Thomas Fidone, TE, Redshirt Freshman

The former four-star recruit from Council Bluffs, Iowa, has had to overcome injuries in his short career at Nebraska, only appearing in one game. Fidone tore his ACL during Nebraska spring camp, effectively ending his freshman season. He reinjured his knee in spring camp, but has been working towards playing Week 0.

Teddy Prochazka, OT, Sophomore

Prochazka debuted in Week 2 against Fordham and played limited time after both starting tackles struggled to protect the quarterback. During his second start against Michigan, the 6’10 offensive tackle blew out his ACL. Prochazka had a tough time mentally during his recovery and says his teammates were the driving factor in helping him throughout his rehab. “ACLs don’t do much unless you tear them,” Prochazka said. “So it was kind of just leaning on my teammates a lot; they kind of got me through that, through that whole process.”

Prochazka has returned to practice this month and ramped up for the start of the year. “So that first practice was pretty tough, and then after that, that kind of initial shock, it just kind of felt like my first spring ball when I first got here,” Prochazka said.

Northwestern University Injury Report

Cam Porter, RB, Junior

The 3-9 Northwestern Wildcats lost their last six games to end the 2021 season, and running back Cam Porter couldn’t do anything to help the losses from pilling on. He had suffered a lower leg injury in fall camp before 2021 and was forced to miss the entire season. As a true freshman, he was ready to have a breakout year after having 61 rushing yards and a touchdown in the team’s Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State. Porter was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list and awarded to the top running back in the nation. His recovery from his injury seems to be going smooth, and he is projected to start the team Week 0 game.

 Zachary Franks, OL, Junior

Last season the Wildcats averaged less than 350 yards per game and 20 points per game. They were missing the big bodies they had in the previous year when they made it to the Big Ten Title game. Zachary Franks was prone to start at one of the tackle spots before a lower leg injury ended his season before it started. He’s been working back to take over the starting position, and reports say he should be ready to play by Week 0.

Injury-based Betting Preview

Nebraska 2021 record (3-9)

The Cornhuskers will play a season for the first time in 5 years without QB Adrian Martinez who has transferred over to Kansas St. Martinez threw for the second most passing yards in Nebraska history (8,491), but now the door is open for Texas transfer Casey Thompson to take the reigns.

Thompson is a fantastic get from the transfer portal as he led the Big 12 in TD passes last year on top of being top 5 in passing efficiency. Thompson is joined by portal transfers WR Trey Palmer from LSU and Marcus Washington from Texas as well. All three are expected to contribute immediately on offense. Seven starters are back on offense and combined with the new additions, should be an improved unit in 2022.

The Cornhusker defense was their strong suit in 2021 and while they may not match the production last year as they played above expectation, 4 of their top 5 tacklers are back which should help with the roster turnover.

This will be the second time Nebraska has played outside of the US with the first being a showdown with Kansas St. in Tokyo, Japan (1992). Nebraska outlasted the Wildcats 38-24.

Northwestern 2021 record (3-9)

The Wildcats will wander outside the US for the first time as they open the 2022 season overseas.

This year Northwestern is looking for more stability at the QB position as they were forced to start three different starters including Ryan Hilinski, who will get first crack at the gig. In comparison to last year, things should only get better on offense as they posted a putrid 16.6 points per game. Four starters return to the Wildcats OL which will help with continuity on top of rocking with the same QB behind center all year long.

The defense was putrid last year and should get better although they return just five starters. They come into Week 0 healthy with no lingering concerns.

Best Bet: Northwestern +13.5

Since 2000, the Wildcats are 7-4 against the spread versus Nebraska an although they were beat by the Cornhuskers 56-7 in 2021, we believe on neutral ground Northwestern can hang around long enough to cover the large spread.