Nebraska left the Indiana game with frustration, not just because it slipped away, but because Matt Rhule believes the Huskers were right there against the seventh-ranked team in the country. On Monday, Rhule said his team was “angry” about letting that one get away, and he made it clear that the performance still gave Nebraska something to build on heading into a late-night matchup with Oregon.
That game against the Ducks, set for 10 p.m., now looms as the next big test for a Nebraska team trying to turn an almost-win into something more. Rhule said a win there would make November even more intriguing, and the way he talked about the Indiana loss suggested he knows how close the Huskers came to changing the conversation.
One of the biggest talking points from that game was Rhule’s fourth-down decision with just under five minutes left. On fourth-and-9, he kept the offense on the field, and he explained it simply: he trusted Anthony Colandrea.
“I followed the analytics, and the analytics said to go for it up until fourth-and-10,” Rhule said. “So, I just wanted to follow the analytics and put the ball in Anthony’s hands.”
“I don’t always follow the analytics. But I felt like our defense would get the stop. More importantly, I just felt like I need to put this ball in my guy’s hands, and I will ride and die with Anthony Colandrea all day, every day.”
Nebraska had already shown it could keep drives alive, converting 10 third downs before that point, including several long ones of 11, 7, 8 and 9 yards. In that context, the call made sense. The defense did eventually get the ball back, but Rhule’s logic was clear: if he had punted and Indiana drained the clock anyway, the second-guessing would have come just the same.
He also owned another moment that hurt Nebraska, saying he should have called a timeout before Indiana’s 41-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1. Rhule added that the Huskers were in press quarters coverage when the 75-yard touchdown happened, with the safety stepping up aggressively before the play broke wide open.
Even with those missteps, the bigger issue was Nebraska’s inability to finish drives. The Huskers scored 10 points on three red-zone trips, and that kind of output won’t get it done against Indiana or Oregon.
On the Oregon side, Rhule said Nebraska has to get ready for all three quarterbacks: Dante Moore, Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas. Moore’s injury status should become clearer later this week, but the sense is that either Thomas or Raiola will be the one taking the snaps. Dan Lanning said the two were “competing” this week.
Raiola, the former Nebraska quarterback, looked sharp against USC with 289 passing yards and two touchdowns. Then he hit a wall against UCLA, finishing 6 of 19 for 49 yards and three turnovers. He doesn’t add much as a runner, either.
Thomas, a 5-foot-11 senior, brings far less experience. He has only 36 career pass attempts, completing 26 of them for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He has also run 11 times for 12 yards, so Oregon wouldn’t be getting much of a ground threat from him either.
Rhule also said Oregon appears to be making some changes on the offensive staff, though Lanning shut down questions about the details. However the Ducks line up, the message from Nebraska’s side was plain: treat this like a must-win.
The Ducks, as Rhule and Nebraska seem to see it, are dangerous because of that wounded-animal feel. If Raiola starts, Nebraska should expect his best shot.
And in another strong note for the Huskers, Harper Murray picked up Big Ten Player of the Week honors after a big week at the net. She had 20 kills and hit .471 against seventh-ranked Wisconsin, then followed with 11 kills, seven digs and two blocks against Indiana while hitting .429 for the week.
In Other News...
Nebraska Turned An Indiana Loss Into A Recruiting Win
Nebraskas loss to Indiana did not keep Memorial Stadium from looking like a sell for the future. During the game, three four-star recruits - Jackson Parker, Terence Parsee and Israel Johnigan - were in the building, and each came away with a positive read on both the atmosphere and the way Nebraska competed. Even on a frustrating day in the standings, the scene around the program still gave the Huskers a chance to make an impression.
That matters because those visits were part of a larger recruiting weekend that brought more than 20 prospects to Lincoln. For Nebraska, the goal was bigger than the final score: create enough energy, consistency and visibility that top targets leave wanting more. If the trip elevated the Huskers in each recruits process, it turned an otherwise tough afternoon into something the staff can point to as a win. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Has A Dylan Raiola Reunion Brewing With One Big Catch
Oregons quarterback situation is getting the most attention heading into its matchup with Nebraska, and for good reason. Dante Moore remains in concussion protocol, leaving the Ducks in a wait-and-see spot at the games most important position. If Moore cannot go, backup Dylan Raiola would be next up, adding an unexpected layer to a game already carrying plenty of intrigue for Nebraska fans who know his backstory well.
Raiolas connection to the Cornhuskers makes this one feel a little different than a typical late-week injury watch. The transfer came with real expectations and real familiarity, and his recent play has been a reminder of how quickly the spotlight can swing in college football. After a strong outing against USC, he stumbled the next time out against UCLA, and now the possibility of seeing him line up against his former team gives this matchup an even sharper edge. [Read more 🡒]
Former Huskers Made Noise In Week 5 And One NFL Twist Stands Out
Week 5 gave Nebraska fans a familiar NFL roundup, with several former Huskers making their presence felt across the league. Ameer Abdullah flashed on special teams for the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 53-yard kickoff return, while Maliek Collins was active up front for the Cleveland Browns and finished with 1.5 sacks. Across offense, defense and special teams, a handful of ex-Cornhuskers kept showing why Lincoln still shows up on NFL Sundays.
The one wrinkle from the week came with Cam Jurgens, who was dealt from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Baltimore Ravens but did not dress for Baltimore's game. It was a reminder that the NFL calendar can change quickly for former Huskers, with some players carving out roles right away and others waiting for the next chance to make an impact in a new place. [Read more 🡒]