'Prove yourself right': Why Ethan Piper says Nebraska's O-line feels rejuvenated

INDIANAPOLIS — In the last act of a lost 2022 season for Nebraska, Ethan Piper found a glimmer of hope, the slightest push of momentum he wants to parlay into better days this fall.
The Huskers closed the season with a win at Iowa, snapping a five-game losing streak with a cathartic victory that prevented their conference rival from playing in the Big Ten Championship. It was the first time in Piper’s four-year college career Nebraska had won a trophy game. It was a reminder that things could change. The Huskers could improve.
Eight months later, Piper is hanging onto the memory and what it represents. It was a sweet end to an otherwise bitter season for his offensive line, a much-maligned unit that allowed 33 sacks and struggled under the weight of injuries and a yearlong suspension to one of its key players. Now the group enters 2023 with rejuvenated confidence, rebuilt on the heels of a disappointing and taxing year.
“This is the best, mentally, the offensive line has felt,” Piper said.
Standing on the main stage in Lucas Oil Stadium earlier in the day, first-year coach Matt Rhule said he wants Nebraska to be feared in the way it once was. A native of Norfolk, Piper holds the same view, understanding the significance of the college football landscape NU once held and the gravity of the disappointing past decade.
He doesn’t particularly like talking about last season, an unsatisfying campaign in his penultimate year of eligibility. The Huskers' record and performance of the offensive line speaks for itself.
“One thing I love about football is it always reflects honestly of the work you put into the game,” Piper said. “And we went 4-8, which is bad.”
It led to a quiet, focused offseason for Piper as he tries to correct the mistakes of last year in his final go-around. Taking two summer classes, the secondary science education major described his days as monotonous. He started with a workout in the morning, then class. The afternoon brought another workout, followed by more schoolwork in the evening.
During those workouts, he focused on training his mind. He knows his physical capabilities, but the challenge is putting forth complete intensity on every snap. It was a shift in mindset to force himself to bring the same level of effort on every snap and maintain it throughout a game.
It started with the workouts. Embracing the mindset improved his training, which, he hopes, will improve his play. Maintaining that level of intensity is his barometer for a successful season, for himself, the O-line and the entire team.
“A successful year looks like if you turn on the TV and Nebraska football, every single snap they’re hitting it full speed,” Piper said. “It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard is. I don’t view things as wins and losses. I view it as each play individually, and if you could turn on — it doesn’t matter if you just randomly come home — and if you could turn on the Nebraska TV and say, ‘Dang, these guys are working.’ That’s what I want.”
Like Piper, the majority of the linemen were part of both last year’s ugliness and the optimism of a new season. It’s one of the most intact and experienced position groups from a year ago. Bryce Benhart, Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka are all back. Nouredin Nouili practiced with the team in 2022 but couldn’t play after testing positive for a banned supplement. Position coach Donavan Raiola is the only assistant from Scott Frost’s staff still with the team.
It makes for a group comfortable with itself and working toward a common goal. It’s experienced — four members of the room are in their fifth season — and mature enough to move on from an ugly 2022 season. It’s in the past now, and the line’s chance to change course is rapidly approaching.
“They’re confident and ready to go,” Rhule said. “My message to them is like, ‘If you spend all your time trying to prove other people wrong, you’re gonna be miserable.’ Just prove yourself right. If you think you’re a good player, go play like a good player, man.”