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unfortunately i watch a good amount of gopher ball and I don't think they look any worse defensively than we do
Yeah, I think Minnesota is closer to Michigan State than they are Maryland.
Are we worried about how we're going to cover Malachi Coleman?
What’s the O/U on how many times and ways the press asks Rhule about the Penn State job? 6.5? lol
Over lol
Without the distractions I think we smoke them. Short turnaround and the uncertainty that has to be a part of the locker room right now its hard to say. We are clearly a much better team on paper.
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Rhule Report: The latest on Nebraska's short and interesting Minnesota week
by: Robin Washut40 minutes agoRobinWashut
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Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks along the sidelines during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Coming off a wild win at Maryland, Nebraska got right back to work for a short week of prep for this week’s Friday night game at Minnesota.
Head coach Matt Rhule gave the latest on the Huskers leading up to the game and addressed the swirling rumors about his future in Lincoln…
HuskerOnline Sunday Quarterback: Nebraska Football 34-31 win at Maryland I Nebraska Huskers I GBR
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule
***Rhule said Maryland was “as good-looking a team” as Nebraska had faced this season. “We played really good players and found a way to win.”
***Rhule was happy about the way NU is closing out games in the fourth quarter, but they have to be better at protecting leads. The Huskers blew two 10-point leads at Maryland, and turnovers had a lot to do with that.
***On the rumors about his connection to the Penn State job: “I love Penn State… I love (PSU A.D.) Pat Kraft. I’m really sad to see Coach Franklin go. You think about what he did for my alma mater, the program was in peril… James takes over and gives the program stability and excellence…
“Troy (Dannen) and I are in an unbelievable relationship, too, and Troy and I are in constant contact. I love it here… This place is elite, and I want to be a great father and a great college football coach. Maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win…
“I absolutely love it here, and I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast.”
***On further steps Nebraska could make to build the program, he said there weren’t many things left in terms of facilities. He said NU couldn’t worry about “the optics” of “investing to win,” especially when athletics are financially separate from academics.
“I’d like to be at the front of everything.. We have a history here of being at the forefront of investing, I don’t want to stop that… I think we can be a perennial, top-in-the-country team.”
***Rhule said teams had already been calling guys like Jacory Barney, trying to pull him away from Nebraska. That’s why he wants to
***On his message to the team: “I’m their coach, and we’re rolling.” He said he’ll be as honest as possible at all times. Asked if it was “frustrating” that these rumors are happening mid-season, Rhule joked, “It’s way better than when I was on the hot seat at Carolina… It’s all good.”
“I’m here. I’m not a cyborg… I love it here. It’s awesome. It’s awesome.”
Preparing for a short week, injury news, and Williams’s scholarship
***Rhule said the Huskers took Sunday off and gave them the option of taking Monday off. The captains decided to come in on Monday and had what they called “their best lift of the year” and one of their best film sessions.
Rhule said some of the mistakes they made at Maryland just didn’t “make any sense.” There was a lot still to clean up.
***Rhule said Elijah Pritchett played “a great game” while playing through an ankle injury. “I’m really proud of what Elijah did.” He said the team was a little “bruised” but nothing long-term.
***Rhule left the door open for Malcolm Hartzog to return after missing the past four games with an injury. “We’ll see how he responds tonight.”
***Rhule said giving Kenneth Williams a scholarship after the Maryland game was a spur-of-the-moment decision. He said it wasn’t just a feel-good story, as Williams was “a really good player” and “deserved” to be on scholarship.
***Rhule said Emmett Johnson would be one of NU’s captains for his return to his native Minneapolis. He praised Johnson’s play and development this season, saying Johnson’s production was a result of all the hard work he’s put in over the years.
McGahee to redshirt, Key’s persistence, and NU handling adversity
***Rhule said he’d seen the most growth from the Huskers with how they handle adversity, especially during crunch time in one-score games. He added that Nebraska was playing cleaner in terms of penalties, and that would be critical against a fundamentally sound opponent like Minnesota.
***Rhule said the Maryland win was “one of the most fun games I’ve ever been a part of” because of how many times Nebraska bounced back and stuck together.
***Rhule said Nebraska would redshirt linebacker Willis McGahee IV this season. They’re still high on his potential, but they’re having “a hard time getting him on the field right now.”
***Based on what he’s heard, Rhule doesn’t think the ‘5-for-5’ rule will pass this season. It still could pass eventually, but he doesn’t think it will happen any time soon.
***Rhule said Nebraska’s wide receivers “blocked like crazy” at Maryland. He said Dane Key had been “practicing really hard” and “deserved” to make the game-winning touchdown catch because of his effort and persistence.
***Rhule said Barney “gave the greatest halftime speech I’ve ever seen” at Maryland, which embodied how strong NU’s player leadership was this season. “We just have a good brotherhood.”
***Rhule praised Turner Corcoran for stepping in and “closing out the game” at left tackle after Pritchett went out. He thought the offensive line did a great job of moving the line of scrimmage and protecting the quarterback. “I thought the offensive line played a really, really good game.”
***Rhule confirmed that Nebraska will wear all-white uniforms at Minnesota. Friday night will also be a breast cancer awareness game, coordinated by both teams. Both teams will wear “pink accessories” to help raise awareness.
His family has been personally affected by breast cancer, as have numerous players on his team.
“That’s why it’s passionate for us.”
***Asked about the support from Husker fans, Rhule said: “There’s no place like Nebraska… It’s unlike any other.”
