Nebraska is arriving in Piscataway with a new voice calling the offense.
A week before the Cornhuskers visit Rutgers, head coach Matt Rhule announced Saturday that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has been fired after Nebraska’s 24-13 loss to Illinois on Friday.
The move comes during a rough stretch for Nebraska, which has dropped four straight after opening the season 5-0. The Cornhuskers are 5-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play, and they’ve managed just 16 points per game over the skid.
Holgorsen had been Nebraska’s offensive coordinator since the 2024 season. He also crossed paths with Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn during his time as West Virginia’s head coach.
Rutgers, meanwhile, hosts Nebraska on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights are 2-5 overall, 1-3 in conference play, and 0-7 all-time against the Cornhuskers.
Rhule laid out the decision in a full statement Saturday, saying:
“Like so many of you, I am angry, I am disappointed and I am frustrated with our results this season. As the head coach, I am ultimately responsible for every aspect of our program-including wins and losses-and it is my responsibility to make changes when they are warranted.“
While there are many areas that need improvement, our offensive plan and execution is simply not working. Earlier today, I relieved offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen of his duties.
As I have recently shared, Dana has a fantastic offensive mind, he is a strong leader, and he has done great work here at Nebraska. But simply, we need a change.
Co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas will take over play-calling duties. I will continue to evaluate our program through the season and certainly at its conclusion and make additional changes where I believe they will help us win.
The Nebraska fan base has high expectations and I embrace them, and I also know of their passionate support of the young men in our program. I hope they will continue to be there for our players with very important games still ahead.
Our entire program is determined to finish this season strong.”
In Other News...
Rutgers Must Solve A Sudden Offensive Problem Without A Key Veteran
Rutgers is suddenly dealing with a thinner offensive picture at a bad time, with guard Kwabena Asamoah set to miss the rest of the season after surgery for a high ankle sprain. The veteran lineman has also exhausted his eligibility, and while he is expected to recover fully and begin preparing for the NFL Draft, his absence leaves a hole in the line that will have to be filled immediately.
The timing only adds to the challenge for the Scarlet Knights, who are already preparing for the next game without wide receiver KJ Duff because of a lower-body injury. Starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan will also miss the game, putting even more pressure on Rutgers to piece together a workable plan on offense and find answers fast. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Faces A Style Fight Wisconsin Might Not Let Them Control
Rutgers is heading into its Nov. 7 matchup with Wisconsin with the kind of game plan that usually sounds simple in theory and gets complicated fast in practice. The Scarlet Knights have spent plenty of time this season trying to find offensive rhythm, and this one comes with the added challenge of a Wisconsin defense built to make opponents earn every inch. Around the Rutgers beat, the conversation has centered on how the Knights can keep the game from turning into the kind of slog the Badgers prefer.
There is also a wrinkle on the other side that changes the feel of the matchup, even if it does not change Rutgers task much. Wisconsin will be leaning on a true freshman at quarterback, and that puts even more emphasis on field position, discipline and avoiding the sort of mistakes that can swing a tightly controlled Big Ten game. For Rutgers, the question is whether it can force the style of game it wants, or whether Wisconsins defense and broader approach will leave the Scarlet Knights chasing the tempo from the opening series. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Settled Down And Delivered A Win That Meant More Than Usual
Rutgers opened the regular season with a steady 81-54 win over New Haven, and for a team still adjusting to life without Steve Pikiell on the sideline, the result carried a little extra weight. Acting head coach Brandin Knight guided the Scarlet Knights through some early defensive lapses before they settled in, leaned on contributions from Tariq Francis, Jamichael Davis and Rasheed Jones, and used a pressure defense that forced 17 turnovers to take control.
The performance looked like the kind Rutgers can build on, especially because the defense tightened as the game went on and the offense found enough rhythm to separate after the shaky start. For Knight, it was also an important step in a difficult stretch for the program, with Pikiell away during cancer treatment and the Scarlet Knights trying to keep moving forward while the season begins to take shape. [Read more 🡒]