Nebraska football has been hit with a string of devastating injuries, as Head Coach Matt Rhule announced on Monday that two key starters on the left side of the offensive line, Ethan Piper and Turner Corcoran, will be out for the remainder of the season. The news comes as a significant blow to the already injury-plagued Huskers.

Corcoran, the starting left tackle, will undergo foot surgery, while Piper, the starting left guard, will undergo knee surgery. Both players sustained their injuries during Saturday's game against Northwestern. In addition, right guard Nouri Nouili will miss 1-2 weeks as he undergoes surgery on Monday. Slot receiver Billy Kemp also suffered an MCL sprain and will be sidelined for multiple weeks.

"We're a pretty beat-up team right now," Rhule expressed. "We'll have to have some guys step up. We have lots of guys who have started games on the offensive line."

To fill the void left by the three injured starters, Nebraska will be turning to left tackle Teddy Prochazka, guard Henry Lutovsky, and interior lineman Justin Evans-Jenkins. These players will be called upon to step up and contribute to the team's efforts.

This unfortunate announcement adds to the long list of season-ending injuries that have plagued Nebraska's roster this season. Running backs Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson, as well as receivers Marcus Washington and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, have all had their seasons cut short due to injuries. The offensive depth chart has been significantly impacted by these setbacks.

Piper, a fifth-year junior, has been a crucial presence on the team, starting every game this season and serving as one of the leaders on the field. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Huskers.

In Piper's absence, Justin Evans-Jenkins stepped up, playing 39 snaps primarily at left guard. When starting center Ben Scott suffered an injury and temporarily left the game, Evans-Jenkins shifted to center while Lutovsky took over as right guard and Nouili moved to left guard.

The injuries to Piper and Corcoran occurred during a pivotal moment in the game, as quarterback Heinrich Haarberg delivered a 20-yard run. Unfortunately, the play not only resulted in the injuries to Piper and Corcoran, but also to wide receiver Billy Kemp, who was hurt on the same play. Piper required assistance from teammates to reach the sideline and was eventually carted off the field, while Kemp was able to walk off under his own power but will be out for an extended period.

Defensive back Tommi Hill also suffered an injury just before halftime. Rhule stated that Hill will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, but expressed confidence that Hill's "super-human healing powers" will result in his quick return.

With seven starters or key backups now sidelined for the season on the offensive side, Nebraska football faces a significant challenge in maintaining their performance. The team will have to rely on the depth of their roster and the resilience of their remaining players to overcome these setbacks and push forward.

The Huskers will need to regroup and adjust their strategies as they face the daunting task of moving forward without the services of Piper and Corcoran, two invaluable members of their offensive line. Time will tell how Nebraska football will respond to these setbacks and the impact it will have on their season.