Losing Nebraska: Matt Rhule identifies Nebraska's losing problem

For years now, Nebraska has set the standard.

In how to lose one-possession or single-digit games.

Proven program builder/re-builder Matt Rhule is seeking to halt that pattern.

And it’s an absolute pattern at this point; not an aberration.

Consider:

The Cornhuskers were 1-5 a year ago in games decided by single digits as Rhule returned to the college landscape after an ill-fated run atop the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

But that losing far predates Rhule’s arrival in Lincoln.

Nebraska was 2-15 in single-digit games combined across the 2022-23 seasons; the Husker fell flat nine times in 2022 in games decided by nine or fewer points.

Amidst a recent weekend practice open to the public, Rhule halted action to deliver a stern message.

“Look at me real quick: If you guys want to know why we’ve lost a lot of close games, you just saw it,” Rhule said in video shared on social media. “OK? We thud here but because there’s a lot of people watching, you don’t want to look stupid because you don’t leverage to the football. We’re just grabbing people and pulling them down.

“Which means either you’re not a good athlete, or you’re not doing what we’re trained to do.”

Rhule wasn’t done with his in-practice education.

“Our seniors, their first drive, they go sit on the bench in a practice! A fight breaks out in front of the fans,’ Rhule shouted on video. “I’ll make my point. I’m going to make my point. THIS IS WHY WE LOSE! Because the minute there’s people here, we don’t do what we do anymore. How about we have pride in the way we practice. Do your job the right way while we’re out here. Yes? Do everything right. You can’t change your shot with the game on the line. You do what you do, and I’m demanding you do it right. Or I promise you this will be a long night.

“For no reason other than I’m not losing, and that was losing. Not the result. The process sucked! So go the rest of the practice, and I expect the standard. I expect the standard from you older guys. It’s time to win. It’s time to win. Winning is every day!”

If the Huskers were mildly competent in single-digit games the past several seasons, they like would have a couple bowl games to show for their efforts.

And it’s possible Rhule wouldn’t even be their head coach.

Instead, they open the 2024 season Aug. 31 against Scotty Walden’s first-year UTEP Miners program and entertain the king of the circus, Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, a week later when Colorado visits Lincoln.

How the Huskers handle tight situations is likely to dictate how the program navigates Year 2 under Rhule.