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For Nebraska, There Can Be No Overlooking the Spartans

Matt Rhule says Huskers’ mindset is to expect every game to go down to the final play

Joe Hudson

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Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule says the Huskers aren't overlooking Michigan State, a team on a six-game losing streak with question marks at quarterback.

“They’re really, really, really physical up front, in the upper half of the Big Ten in rush defense,” Rhule said during his press conference Monday.

Every game, he said, must be approached with the expectation that it will go down to the wire. Even against a 2-6 team with an interim head coach.

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“If we expect that the game is going to go one way and it doesn’t, then sometimes we are caught,” Rhule said. “We expect every game to come down to the very last play when we have to throw a Hail Mary, kick the game-winning field goal or make a fourth-and-1 stop to win the game. That way nothing ever bothers you.”

He continued: “When you look at people’s records, if they have a great record, sometimes you think this is going to be really hard and you expect it, and then all of the sudden you miss an opportunity to go and play well. Sometimes you look at a record and go ‘Oh, they haven’t won.’ It’s the opposite. ... That’s the danger, but also think about the men in the Michigan State locker room. How would you play if you were those seniors and you didn’t go in the portal and decided to stay and fight for your team? ... I watch the way they play, and we would be nuts to not expect to have to win the game on the last play.”

Rhule said safety Omar Brown is in concussion protocol after leaving Saturday’s game against Purdue. Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg also had to exit the game for a series. “He is a little bit beat up,” Rhule said, “but you know what, he is the quarterback at Nebraska.”

Rhule discussed solving the Huskers’ fumbling problems, the performance of the retooled offensive line and much more during Monday’s session. Scroll past the video for all the coverage, and refresh this page to see the latest additions. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. | HuskerMax discussion

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Joe Hudson
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.

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