Stukenholtz: Rhule’s Nebraska Rebuild Running Right on Time

QB decision coming, but good signs abound in Husker football’s dominant win over Northern Illinois

Cole Stukenholtz | Sep 17, 2023

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

In this story:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

A feel-good win.

A get right game.

A confidence builder.

No matter how you describe it, Nebraska executed an impressive and, let’s be honest, unexpected victory that proved much easier on Husker football fans accustomed to tighter finishes. The story, as it often is, was the quarterback. Heinrich Haarberg, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound sophomore from Kearney, sparkled in his first start. But the 35-11 win over Northern Illinois under the lights in the home opener also represents head coach Matt Rhule’s introduction to (regular season) Memorial Stadium.

For Rhule, it was surely a night he’ll never forget. He led Nebraska through the tunnel walk, scored his first win as coach of the Huskers, and even received the game ball in the locker room.

Long-term, though, the consequences of winning may end up being Rhule’s favorite part.

The 2023 Huskers take the field at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg huddles with teammates during warmups before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium.

It was the first home game for new head coach Matt Rhule.

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims warms up before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against Northern Illinois Huskies linebacker DaRon Gilbert during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.

Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Rocky Lombardi hands the ball off to running back Antario Brown as Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer defends during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second quarter of the game.

Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV celebrates with offensive lineman Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. runs for a short first-quarter gain.

Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg rushes for 16 yards in the second quarter.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg rushes for a 9-yard first-quarter gain.

Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano kicks an extra point in the second quarter.

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi is sacked by Nebraska linebacker MJ Sherman during the second quarter of the game.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone catches a pass for a gain of five yards in the second quarter.

Nebraska linebacker MJ Sherman celebrates after a sack against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi passes against the Nebraska defense.

Northern Illinois Huskies wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz is blocked by Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill.

Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. runs against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Gabe Ervin Jr. picks up 12 yards on a pass from quarterback Heinrich Haarberg in the second quarter.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II scores against during the second quarter of the game against Northern Illinois.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Northern Illinois.

Nebraska's Kai Wallin pressures NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on the sideline.

Northern Illinois running back Antario Brown is brought down by Nebraska linebacker Javin Wright and defensive back Phalen Sanford.

Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV is tackled by Northern Illinois safety Nate Valcarcel.

Nebraska linebacker Chief Borders celebrates with defensive back Phalen Sanford after a stop against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Nebraska's Heinrich Haarberg rushes for a 1-yard first down in the third quarter.

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi slides down before being sacked by Nebraska defenders Blaise Gunnerson and MJ Sherman.

Gabe Ervin rushes for a short gain in the third quarter.

Northern Illinois wide receiver Grayson Barnes is tackled by Nebraska defensive back Dwight Bootle II and linebacker Javin Wright.

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock gains 33 yards in the third quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock runs against Northern Illinois cornerback Jacob Finley during the third quarter of the game.

Nebraska wide receiver Marcus Washington motions after gaining a first down.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant rushes for a 6-yard gain in the third quarter.

Gabe Ervin Jr. rushes for 12 yards in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against the Northern Illinois Huskies.

Nebraska wide receiver Marcus Washington hauls in an 11-yard pass in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg hands the ball off to running back Anthony Grant during the third quarter of the game.

Nebraska Huskers celebrate after a touchdown by running back Anthony Grant in the fourth quarter.

Northern Illinois Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock and Nebraska Huskers head coach Matt Rhule greet each other at midfield after a 35-11 win by Nebraska at Memorial Stadium.

This will likely be a lengthy rebuild. As much as he may want this to move quickly, he has a method of what he believes is the right way to do it. He needs buy-in from the players on his process, and simply getting a game in the win column will give his team a bounce in their step. A little more confidence, maybe even a lot more. Positive results to reinforce the practice habits he and his staff are working to instill in the program.

As this season grinds on, most of the roster will have memories of faltering later into fall. Anyone who started their career in Lincoln knows nothing but disappointment in October and November, with few exceptions.

This performance was critical in the pursuit of changing that perception.

Rhule turned his previous college programs around by implementing his plan and sticking to it. That can make for painful starts, as evidenced by just three wins total from the first seasons at Temple and Baylor. But while Nebraska’s returnees were unproven, there was talent left over. Pair that with the transfer portal, and that alone gave Rhule a solid chance of having a less bumpy takeoff here.

So why is a seemingly boring win by an 0-2 team over a Group-of-5 school a sign of the rebuild working? Because of how they defeated NIU. Contributing to the win were some publicly stated goals for the season, including run game, turnovers, and defense, which will help show his methods can and will produce results.

NU rushed for over 200 yards with, specifically, 96 of those yards on the ground in the 4th quarter. 75 yards in the final period is the expectation since that’s when you need to bleed the clock and put teams away. The fact that they’ve done that once, and it came in the first win of the year, is chef’s kiss for this coaching staff.

The turnover battle was even, too. A 4th quarter Javin Wright interception offset an NIU fumble recovery. Even that giveaway by the offense deep in their own end of the field turned into a positive, as the Blackshirts pushed the Huskies backwards and forced a field goal. In fact, those three plays were the only ones NIU ran in Nebraska territory until the final garbage time touchdown drive against the backups.

Speaking of the Blackshirts, they were something. All three levels had their moments to shine. They stuffed the run, generated pass rush from all angles, covered very well, and didn’t allow a play longer than 18 yards. They also improved their 3rd down performance. Entering the game 120th nationally allowing 51.4% conversion, NU held the Huskies to just 4-for-15 on the money down, and an even-better 3-for-13 before the starters were done.

When the stuff you talk about all the time is what you succeed at in the first win of the season, that’s gonna go over pretty well in the locker room. It’s gonna be easier to sell his vision this week after a win like that.

Now I can keep telling you all this good news for a few more minutes. And that could be fun, especially considering what we had to talk about these last couple of weeks. But there’s a huge decision looming that could decide the fate of the 2023 season and beyond:

Who’s the starting quarterback?

Coach Rhule’s rebuild could very well hinge on his choice. Whether it’s Jeff Sims or Heinrich Haarberg, he needs to be right. The rest of the team can click on all cylinders, but if you get that one position wrong it can wipe everything else out.

Haarberg put one heck of a foot forward. I know it’s Northern Illinois at home compared to Sims’ slate of Minnesota and Colorado on the road, but dropping snaps and throwing into double coverage is unacceptable no matter the level of competition. Sims is also now at a disadvantage with an ankle injury that may or may not have been the primary reason Rhule kept him out. Regardless of the reason, Haarberg balled out when the lights came on.

You can get all bent out of shape about the 7-10 split facing Rhule if you want to. We all have our opinions of when and how and why we think Rhule should decide one over the other. It’ll come in due time. As for me, I’m heading into Louisiana Tech week thinking of the good vibes flowing through the Nebraska football program.

Saturday was a good day to be a Husker. Just ask Matt Rhule.

More coverage & commentary: HuskerMax game page

Published Sep 17, 2023

COLE STUKENHOLTZ

Cole Stukenholtz has covered the Huskers since 2003, though he did take the Bo Pelini era off. He co-hosts the weekly Husker Hour show on KLIN radio in Lincoln. Follow him on Twitter @stukenholtz.