Nebraska football lost its fourth consecutive game Friday, and Coach Matt Rhule decided to make a change.
The Huskers lost 24-13 to Illinois Friday night, then Rhule announced he had relieved offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen of his duties Saturday. The Huskers have failed to reach 20 points in every game since the 48-23 win over Maryland on Oct. 3.
“As I watch us play, it just isn’t working the way that we want it to work,” Rhule said Monday. “For me, when you think about what it takes to win in college football, you need to have an explosive offense. You need to have the ability to score points. We can point to the yards — I know we’re third in the Big Ten in total offense, fourth in rushing, those things, but we’re not scoring enough points, so I felt like the time was now.”
With Holgorsen gone, the release said co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas will take over play-calling duties for the remainder of the season.
Rhule said he’s focused on execution and limiting penalties as the season continues.
“I don’t think the offense is broken, I don’t think we have bad players, I don’t think we have bad coaches,” Rhule said. “I just think something has to happen now to try to get them to be detailed and efficient as a group. That’s what Glenn and (offensive line coach) Geep (Wade) and those guys will do, and I’m excited to support our players in doing that.”
As for his timeline of hiring a new offensive coordinator, Rhule is in no rush.
“I just want to get it right,” Rhule said. “I won’t go real fast. Right now, my focus is on these players, these three games.”
Even though Rhule is focused on right now, he did lock in a key member of his staff for the future. On Monday, the coach said defensive coordinator Rob Aurich had signed a two-year extension.
“He really continues to find guys that fit not just his system, but his system versus the people that we’re going to see,” Rhule said. “So I wanted tremendous continuity. I love the way Rob adjusts to the game. I love the way he thinks, He’s got a great vibe with those guys in that room too.”
Aurich’s defense has done well. It ranks 17th nationally in scoring defense at 16.6 points allowed per game, and 12th in total defense at 282.4 yards allowed per game. The Huskers are also 11th in rushing defense (90.33).
Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich watches warmups before taking on Maryland. Matt Rhule announced on Nov. 9 Aurich had signed a two-year extension with Nebraska. Photo by John S. Peterson.
I just know the market,” Rhule said. “I hear rumblings out there. People are going to want this defense, and this defense deserves to be here at Nebraska.”
Rhule said he enjoys having Aurich on his staff, and the players do as well. The team held a voluntary practice Sunday where nearly the entire team was present.
“I have players coming into my office, saying to me how badly they want to be a part of this defense in year two,” Rhule said. “They are all in on this defense, and so I don’t worry about that.”
Rhule said he hopes the offense feels the same way.
“You should be really frustrated, but you should still be excited about your development, your growth and this team, and trying to get ourselves on through,” Rhule said. “It’s easy to feel any other way, but I don’t necessarily worry about that to be quite honest.”
What Rhule is worried about is Nebraska’s upcoming game against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 2-7, and the Huskers are ready to go to work.
The Huskers may look a little different this week with a new play caller, but Rhule knows there’s work to be done, and no time to waste.
“For our team that’s here, things happen, you move forward,” Rhule said.
Kickoff between Nebraska and Rutgers is set for 11:30 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network and the Huskers Radio Network.
