Nebraska Football: 5 takeaways from Cornhuskers’ 2018 season

The expectations were high for Nebraska football and returning hero Scott Frost this year, but 2018 was only the first of many building blocks being put into place.

The Cornhuskers finished just 4-8, but did finish strong down the stretch, going 4-2 including wins over Minnesota and Michigan State. Both of those losses over the final six games came on the road and by a combined eight points.

Frost, who led Nebraska to glory inside Memorial Stadium before embarking on his own pro career followed by his foray into coaching, does have a budding star to work with in Adrian Martinez. The freshman quarterback earned top newcomer honors in the Big Ten after putting together a season in which he racked up over 3,200 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns.

The offense had its moments once they got going, scoring over 40 points vs. Illinois, Bethune-Cookman and Minnesota, but the defense showed they are still a work in progress after allowing 30-plus points eight times.

Nebraska loses senior running back Devine Ozigbo, who ran for over 1,000 yards, but freshman Maurice Washington is ready and willing. Sophomore JD Spielman will shift to the No. 1 wide receiver role in place of Stanley Morgan Jr.

Here are five takeaways from the 2018 season for Nebraska on the gridiron.