Despite Impressive Win, Matt Rhule Says There's Lots for Nebraska to Fix

The Huskers' head coach points to special teams and more after victory over Colorado and with Northern Iowa up next.

Joe Hudson | Sep 10, 2024

HuskerMax Practice Report, Sept. 9, 2024 /

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The Huskers have plenty to work on if they want to be a championship-caliber football team.

That was Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule's message Monday as he reviewed Saturday night's 28-10 win over Colorado and looked ahead to this weekend's match against Northern Iowa, the No. 21 team in the latest FCS poll.

Rhule mentioned special teams, the wide receivers' blocking and the offense's intensity as areas in particular need of improvement. “The worst special teams performance I’ve had in a long time,” he said.

Rhule said turning a program around involves three stages: “There is eliminating losing football, then you play winning football, and eventually you are going to play championship football. I think we are playing winning football and so we have to get to championship football.”

Regarding Northern Iowa, Rhule noted that the Panthers have the No. 4 rushing offense in the FCS. “You are facing 298 yards a game. You are facing a coach in Coach (Mark) Farley that has won a ton of games. When I was in the NFL, I looked at Northern Iowa’s alignment. I never looked at a Nebraska alignment. You better be ready for a physical battle with the way they play. Run defense and run offense.”

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Coverage

Husker247 | Rhule challenges offense to match Raiola's intensity
Husker247 | Huskers await word on appeal of Gbayor targeting penalty
Husker247 | Rhule happy for his players to be ranked, 'but we got bigger plans than that'
Husker247 | Dowdell brings some thump in leading role for Husker running backs
On3 | Matt Rhule jokes he would prefer 9 a.m. kickoffs: 'Kegs and eggs and football'
On3 | Rhule confirms Nebraska has appealed targeting penalty, first-half suspension for Mikai Gbayor
Nebraska Athletics | Rhule quotes
Omaha World-Herald | Shatel/Bland recap (video)
Omaha World-Herald* | Rhule sees lots for Nebraska to clean up after Colorado win
Omaha World-Herald* | Dylan Raiola raising intensity level for Huskers; Rhule needs team to match it
Omaha World-Herald* | Northern Iowa presents a unique challenge for Nebraska football
Omaha World-Herald* | 'Can't thank him enough': Matt Rhule details impact of Bud Crawford's special appearance
Omaha World-Herald* | 'We've got bigger plans': Callouts join shoutouts for Nebraska in review of Colorado win
Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: Questions at running back are clearing up; Mikai Gbayor targeting call
Lincoln Journal Star* | 'Improve every week': Rhule intense in film study despite big win

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Published Sep 9, 2024|Modified Sep 10, 2024

JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.