Matt Rhule Just Sent A Clear Message About Nebraskas New Offense

Discover how Coach Matt Rhule's faith in quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the return of key players is shaping the season for Nebraska's football and volleyball teams.

Matt Rhule isn’t hiding how he feels about Nebraska’s quarterback room, and he’s especially high on the player now set to lead the offense. Anthony Colandrea was named the starting quarterback earlier this week, and Rhule made it clear Wednesday on the Husker Radio Network that the praise goes well beyond simple coach speak.

“He’s a gunslinger. He’s a baller.

He wants to go make plays. He’s not there just to hand the ball off or just accept plays.

He’s going to try and make a play every play. At the same time, being disciplined and going through his process.

He hasn’t let it change him. What makes him great, he retains, but he’s very coachable.

He’s always, always, always trying to get better.”

Nebraska is paying Colandrea $2.5 million to be the starter, and Rhule has repeatedly said this offseason that this is his best Nebraska football team. Colandrea’s running ability is expected to matter for an offense that hasn’t averaged 30 points per game in a season since Rhule arrived.

Rhule also offered a strong update on Gunnar Gottula, who looks locked into the offensive line mix. He didn’t name a specific spot for Gottula, but he did make one thing obvious.

“He’s clearly a starter for us and a really good player,” Rhule said. “He’s had the chance to really build his body up so he can stay healthy, but he’s a strong man, too, not just a big man. He’s big and strong.”

The most likely landing spots appear to be right tackle or left guard, with three other line jobs already settled. If Tree Babalade ends up in the top five, left guard could make the most sense for Gottula. He seems better suited inside, where his power should play well.

Whatever the exact alignment ends up being, Gottula is expected to be in the starting five when Nebraska opens the season against Ohio.

On the volleyball side, Nebraska is back in action tonight in Spikes Under the Lights, facing 17th-ranked Florida in a best-of-three match that begins at 7 p.m. on TNT. The winner will move on to face the winner of SMU-Penn State, with the championship match set for 9 p.m. inside AT&T Stadium.

The matches will not count toward the regular-season record, but the official season opener comes Saturday against UNLV.

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