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Matt Rhule Talks Punt Returns, Injuries, Replay Errors and More

Nebraska head coach meets the press ahead of Maryland game

Joe Hudson

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Nebraska football remains a win away from bowl eligibility after Saturday's 20-17 loss at Michigan State. Head coach Matt Rhule suggested Monday that things might be different if video reviews had not been "wrong" on a crucial play against the Spartans and on another pivotal play during the season opener against Minnesota.

"I feel bad for our players. We’re sitting at 5-4. We own 5-4. But we have one game where the team scouted us (Michigan). We have two games where the replay was wrong," Rhule said, referring to Gabe Ervin's apparent touchdown against Minnesota and Michigan State's final TD on Saturday. "That's tough to swallow."

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A wrong call during live action is not so baffling, Rhule said, but on replay, it's "difficult for me to understand."

He said he isn't blaming the losses on the rulings, but "the type of team we are right now, we can't have seven points spotted," he said. 

"Giving up sacks and turning the ball over, those are the main issues we're going to work on controlling," Rhule said.

Rhule covered a lot of ground as he met with reporters Monday ahead of this weekend's game against Maryland. In other matters:

  • Rhule took responsibility for the Huskers' poor showing on punt returns Saturday, which contributed to unfavorable field position much of the afternoon. A hobbled Billy Kemp fair-caught all punts before Ethan Nation returned the final one. "I should have given Ethan some more chances," Rhule said.
  • Rhule compared Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa to his brother Tua, Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray. "Everything you see his brother do, he can do," Rhule said.
  • Freshman wide receiver Malachi Coleman has "affected every game he's played in," Rhule said. He praised Coleman's blocking and his composure when he "got punched about three times" against Purdue and didn't retaliate.
  • Rhule said he's coaching Heinrich Haarberg in part "for next year" and that the sophomore QB is handling the pressure well. "I think he's a winner," Rhule said. "I think he's tough. I think he's learning on the job."
  • Malcolm Hartzog may or may not be able to play against Maryland after being injured during the second half Saturday. "We'll have to see where he's at," Rhule said.
  • Concussion protocol was what kept Jack linebacker Princewill Umanmielen out of Saturday's game in East Lansing. He could be available against the Terrapins.

Explaining his reference to the Michigan scouting/sign-stealing scandal, Rhule said: "What's the Husker prayer? 'Dear Lord, the battles as we go through life, we ask for a chance that's fair.' That's all I want. I want the 60 minutes of the game to be fair and not tilted one way or the other."

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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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