Nebraska won their first Big Ten of the 2023 season on Friday night. The Huskers defeated the University of Illinois 20-7 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Following the Husker’s victory, head coach Matt Rhule expressed frustration at the officials.
“I was really, really upset at the officials tonight and I never talk about officiating, but I want to make sure I defend my team. For a second week in a row, that team came out and was yelling ‘move’ and ‘stem’ and you’re not supposed to be able to do that, as far as I know.”
Nebraska had ten penalties in the game for a total of 70 yards. Rhule also made it clear that his frustration was with the officiating and not with Illinois.
“We’re not a sloppy team, OK? We’re not a sloppy team. That is not football to me. And I’m not faulting Illinois for doing it. If they say you can do it, you can do it.”
The head coach also made it clear that he was defending his team and wants clarification from the Big Ten office on whether the practice is legal.
“Our guys are just trying to play football. They’re yelling ‘move’ and ‘stem’ and the D-line is stemming. I’ve asked if it’s legal. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, I don’t know. But I just want to make sure I’m defending my guys. So, I’m not criticizing the officials, but I’m just defending my guys.”
Nebraska will now have an extra week to get an answer from the Big Ten. The Huskers will return to the field on October 21 when they host Northwestern.
Find a photo gallery of the win over Illinois below.