Tag: Matt Rhule

Huskers visit four-star Chicago pass rusher McHale Blade

The Cornhusker coaching staff made a stop in the Windy City earlier this week.

The Nebraska coaching staff continues the 2025 offseason visits, heading up to Chicago following a trek down in Florida. Head coach Matt Rhule met up with four-star EDGE rusher McHale Blade, who currently holds offers from the Georgia Bulldogs, the Michigan Wolverines, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Blade is coming off his junior season at Simeon High School after playing for Hillcrest High. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher ranks fourth in Illinois as a player and is 17th in the nation as a defensive lineman.

Blade isn’t the only edge rusher from Simeon the Huskers are eyeing. Sophomore Brian DeMoss received an offer from Nebraska in December 2024. He stands at 6-feet-5, and 210 pounds.

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Reports: Panthers make more changes to staff on Monday

The Panthers reportedly made a few firings on Monday.

The Carolina Panthers made a few more adjustments to their staff on Monday.

As first reported by Joe Person of The Athletic, the team has fired head athletic trainer Kevin King and health/performance/nutrition director Andrew Althoff. Team beat writer Sheena Quick and Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer later confirmed the moves.

King started with the organization in 2013, when he was hired as the assistant athletic trainer. He’d be promoted to head athletic trainer in 2020.

That’d be the same year in which Althoff arrived in Carolina, coming over with then-head coach Matt Rhule from Baylor University.

The departures of King and Althoff are just the latest for the Panthers, who also parted ways with three defensive coaches last week. Carolina, this past Wednesday, dismissed outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, secondary coach Bert Watts and defensive quality control coach Bobby Maffei.

2024 saw the Panthers allow 534 points, a new single-season NFL record.

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A surprising candidate just emerged in the Saints head coach search

A surprising candidate just emerged in the Saints head coach search. NFL Network reports they’ll interview longtime Stanford coach and Broncos executive David Shaw:

Now this is a welcome surprise. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning to interview David Shaw in their search for a new head coach. Shaw had a great run at Stanford coaching college football before he joined the Denver Broncos as a senior personnel executive, teaming up with one of his longtime admirers Sean Payton.

Shaw went 96-54 at Stanford, where he coached up future NFL stars like Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey. But he has plenty of pro experience as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, then-Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens earlier in his coaching career.

And Payton is a big supporter of his, having recruited Shaw to Denver when he bowed out after a 12-year run at Stanford. Back in 2022, Payton stumped for an NFL team to go get him:

“I worked with David Shaw in Philadelphia (with the Eagles), I think he’s an extremely bright candidate. Stanford graduate, he coaches at his alma mater. Every time I bring his name up, everyone says ‘David’s staying in college.’ And I understand that. … Why is it that a young, talented coach, Stanford graduate, West Coast Offense, offensive guy; and I always begin with David because I know him, I know how talented he is. Now he may turn down all of those opportunities. But you know what, he didn’t have those opportunities where someone said, ‘We have to have him.’ Because someone said ‘We have to have (other college coaches like) Nick (Saban), or Steve (Spurrier), or Matt (Rhule).’”

When Shaw’s time at Stanford ended and he did come to the NFL, Payton acted quickly to bring him into the fold. And now Shaw is throwing his hat into the ring to be a pro-level head coach himself. He’s a fascinating candidate as an established program builder with tons of connections around the league. Maybe he could be the breath of fresh air Saints fans have been calling for after their worst season in 19 years.

Update: New reports say the Saints do not have plans to interview Shaw “at this time.”

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Matt Rhule wants ‘complete ovehaul’ of special teams unit

Matt Rhule did not mince words on the special teams unit.

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule indicated that special teams would undergo a makeover for the 2025 season as the struggles continued on Saturday afternoon.

Nebraska had 10 kicks blocked this season. They were also last in the Big Ten in punt returns and tied for last in net punting.

The Huskers’ struggles continued in the Pinstripe Bowl. Kicker Jon Hohl had a blocked kick, and it was returned for two points. Nebraska football punter Brian Buschini had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter of the game. The block led to an ensuing Boston College touchdown, making it a 20-15 game.

The coach was not pleased with the special teams unit following the game and noted that things need to improve for next season. Special teams were a point of emphasis for him.

“It’s no secret. To be where we want to be next year, we have to be the same defensively, probably a little better in some areas,” Matt Rhule said after the game. “We have to really improve on offense, and I think we’re all seeing at times signs of what it’s going to look like. And then special teams, we need a complete and total overhaul of that. We have to be better at that. I always put those things on my shoulders, we’ll get it done. But it has not been good enough this year.”

These comments seem to put a spotlight on special teams coach Ed Foley. It will be interesting to see if the program retains Foley next season. This could be one of the storylines worth watching in an offseason where the Huskers want to take the next step as a program.

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Wisconsin football handed Nebraska its best season in nine years

Without Wisconsin’s help, Nebraska wouldn’t have its best season in a decade

Wisconsin football fans have likely moved on from what was a disastrous 2024 campaign.

Wisconsin finished the season at 5-7, went 0-3 in trophy games and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2001. All things considered, it was the program’s worst season since that 2001 campaign.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal class by projected 2025 impact

That final mark feels even worse considering the Badgers sat at 5-2 entering a late-October home matchup against Penn State. What followed: five consecutive losses, including to rivals Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota by a combined score of 110-42. The team’s form regressed significantly as the season concluded.

The result of one notable bowl game adds a bit of insult to that discussed injury.

Nebraska defeated Boston College 20-15 in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday. The victory closed a 7-6 season for the Cornhuskers. It is their first winning season since 2016 and first bowl win since 2015.

Without Wisconsin, that result would not have been possible.

Nebraska started the season 5-1 with strong wins over Colorado, Purdue and Rutgers. It then went on a substantial slide, losing to Indiana 56-7, Ohio State 21-17, UCLA 27-20 and USC 28-20. The team sat at 5-5 entering its Week 13 matchup against Wisconsin, facing yet another late-season collapse with bowl eligibility at stake.

Wisconsin was also 5-5 entering the matchup after consecutive losses to Penn State, Iowa and Oregon. The game was season-defining for both teams, regardless of the outcome.

Nebraska dominated Wisconsin that afternoon, winning 44-25. It was the Cornhuskers’ first win over the Badgers since 2012 and first with the Freedom Trophy at stake. There are further stats that emphasize the historic nature of the result. Most notably, it clinched Nebraska’s first bowl appearance in nine seasons — its fans celebrated as such.

Matt Rhule’s team went on to lose to Iowa the following week to finish the regular season at 6-6. Wisconsin became the team’s only win from Oct. 5 on. Now that the Cornhuskers have since clinched a winning record with a bowl victory, ending a near-decade-long drought, it’s hard to ignore Wisconsin’s role in allowing that to happen.

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell and Rhule will inevitably be compared as each continues their respective tenures. Each were high-profile hires entering the 2023 season, brought in to reverse each program’s current course. Both coaches are now an identical 12-13 through two years — each with a 7-6 and a 5-7 season, in reversed order.

Rhule currently has the slight upper hand over Fickell given Nebraska’s bowl win and final record. If the two teams’ trajectories continue on divergent paths, as currently appears the case, it will be challenging to ignore that Week 13 result as a major turning point.

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Former Husker coach to join Florida State staff

A former Husker coach will join Tony White in Tallahassee.

A former member of Nebraska’s coaching staff is heading to Tallahassee. The Florida State Seminoles announced Saturday that they hired former Nebraska safeties coach Evan Cooper.

Cooper resigned from the Huskers before training camp commenced in July. He now returns to coaching after a five-month absence, joining former Husker defensive coordinator Tony White and former defensive line coach Terrance Knighton in Tallahassee.

Cooper spent one season at Nebraska and 11 consecutive under Matt Rhule before resigning. In his lone season with the Huskers, Cooper put together a tough secondary.

The secondary recorded seven interceptions and 30 pass breakups in 2023, and the Blackshirts’ pass defense limited opponents to 6.1 yards per attempt, which ranked ninth nationally in the same year. Nebraska also kept seven of 12 opponents to less than 200 passing yards, including two under 100 yards.

Cooper joins a Florida State team that allowed 7.41 passing yards per attempt and only four interceptions. The Seminoles kept teams under 200 passing yards and one team under a hundred. The most passing yards the team allowed occurred in its win over California, where it surrendered 303 passing yards.

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Nebraska announces new wide receivers coach

Shorts was a standout receiver under Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia from 2013-16.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have officially hired Daikiel Shorts Jr. as the new wide receivers coach. Shorts has Power Four coaching experience, having previously coached with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia and Houston.

“It is exciting to add Daikiel Shorts Jr. to our offensive staff. Daikiel is someone who has played for and coached with Coach Holgorsen, and Dana really trusts and believes in him. Daikiel is one of the best recruiters in the country, and he’s a great coach who is familiar with our system.”

Shorts spent the 2024 season as the Kentucky Wildcats’ wide receivers coach. The new coach says he is excited for a chance to coach with Matt Rhule and is looking forward to reuniting with Coach Holgorsen.

“I am extremely grateful for the chance to work for Coach Rhule at the University of Nebraska. When you walk into this place, you can feel the history and tradition associated with Nebraska Football and what it means to everyone inside the program and the fan base. It also means a lot for me to reconnect with Coach Holgorsen. He is a special person in my life, and I have learned a lot from him as a player and a coach.”

Shorts was a standout receiver under Holgorsen at West Virginia from 2013-16. He finished his collegiate career ranked fifth on the WVU career chart with 177 receptions and sixth with 2,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

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What Nebraska HC Matt Rhule said after big win over Badgers

What Nebraska HC Matt Rhule said after big win over Badgers

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule spoke with the media following the Cornhuskers’ 44-25 blowout win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday.

His program defeated the Badgers for the first time in 12 years, and captured the Freedom Trophy for the first time in its existence. From the opening kickoff, the Cornhuskers left little doubt.

Nebraska amassed 473 total yards, including 180 on the ground on five yards per carry, to throttle the Badgers. The 44 points is the most Nebraska has ever scored in the rivalry matchup.

“I thought it was as well-rounded as we can be,” Rhule said following the win. “Dylan [Raiola] was really on, and we ran the football really well. Jacory [Barney Jr.] worked the middle of the field really well. The tight ends showed up. The ball went to where it was supposed to be. We were able to protect the quarterback. I just think they went out, and they executed.”

After establishing a 14-10 edge in the second quarter, Rhule’s team didn’t look back. Fresh off a four-game losing streak to No. 2 Ohio State, No. 5 Indiana, UCLA and USC, the Cornhuskers corrected most of their self-inflicted wounds and exploded on the offense end.

Running back Emmett Johnson logged 113 yards on the ground, and quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 28 of his 38 passing attempts for 293 yards and one touchdown. Nebraska, seeking its first bowl game appearance since 2016, kept its foot on the gas pedal for the entire game.

“There [were] no negative plays,” Rhule said. “The players made the explosive plays. Emmett [Johnson] was untackleable at times today. And then we were probably more aggressive in the fourth quarter. We threw the ball more in the fourth quarter than I normally would, and Dylan made those plays.”

Wisconsin, meanwhile, played poorly on the defensive end. After allowing just 16 points against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16, the Badgers couldn’t seem to stop any of Nebraska’s playmakers in the run or pass game.

Rhule spoke on facing the Badgers’ defense.

“That’s Wisconsin,” Rhule said. “That’s a tough, physical team. Nobody during the whole year, except maybe Alabama, scored this many points against them. I would assume we ran the ball well. I thought we were able to drop back and throw the ball on first and second down without any heat coming at us. Guys executed.”

Nebraska officially clinched a bowl game appearance with its sixth win of the season. Fans stormed the field, players grasped the Freedom Trophy and Rhule’s players walked off with a grin.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is soul-searching. The Badgers are in jeopardy of missing their first bowl game since 2001 and will face Minnesota on Nov. 29 at Camp Randall.

WATCH: Nebraska fans storm field following historic win over Wisconsin

WATCH: Nebraska fans storm field following historic win over Wisconsin

For the first time since 2016, Nebraska’s football program is bowl eligible.

Following a historic 44-25 beatdown against the Wisconsin Badgers, hundreds of Cornhusker fans stormed Memorial Stadium’s field to celebrate the program’s feat.

To make matters worse, the venue’s speakers blasted Wisconsin’s iconic theme song, ‘Jump Around,’ during the final portion of the fourth quarter.

Nebraska’s win against Wisconsin marks the first time the Cornhuskers have beaten the Badgers since September 2012. That season, Joel Stave served as UW’s quarterback, running back Montee Ball was in his final season in Madison and Bret Bielema manned the sidelines.

Fans tend the storm the field following an upset against a ranked opponent or collegiate juggernaut. In this instance, Cornhusker fans’ jubilance stemmed from defeating a storied rival and clinching a postseason berth.

For the first time in program history, Nebraska also received the Freedom Trophy, a piece of hardware awarded to the winner of the rivalry game dating back to 2014.

Nebraska dominated Wisconsin in every facet of the contest. The Cornhusker offense ran for 180 yards, scored five touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per play.

The only silver lining for the Badgers surrounds Braedyn Locke’s play in the passing game. The redshirt sophomore threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in his first game without former offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

Still, the loss encapsulates most of the games during the back half of Wisconsin’s season. In a high-pressure situation, the Badgers eventually lost control and played horribly on the defensive end.

UW is now in jeopardy of missing its first bowl game since 2001. Luke Fickell’s program will need a win against Minnesota on Nov. 29 to prevent that from happening.

RECAP: Wisconsin football suffers historic loss to rival Nebraska

RECAP: Wisconsin football suffers historic loss to rival Nebraska

Historic is an apt word to describe Wisconsin football’s 44-25 loss to Nebraska on Saturday.

The Badgers entered the contest on a 10-game winning streak against the rival. That win streak was defined by dominance on the ground, headlined by historic days from Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor and Braelon Allen.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin’s 44-25 loss to Nebraska

On Saturday, Nebraska flipped the script. The Cornhuskers totaled 473  yards, including 180 on the ground on five yards per carry. Matt Rhule’s team, one that had lost four straight entering the matchup, scored on its final six possessions.

Wisconsin took a minor step forward on offense after making a coordinator change after its Week 12 loss to Oregon. Braedyn Locke led that effort with 292 yards and three passing touchdowns. But just like at Iowa two weeks ago, the story of the game was Wisconsin’s defense falling apart.

Nebraska’s offense averaged nearly 6.4 yards per play on the afternoon. Its 44 points are its most in the all-time series. It is the third time Wisconsin has allowed 40+ points this season. The last time that happened was 2001 — also the last year the program missed a bowl game.

Big picture, the defeat is Wisconsin’s first to Nebraska since 2012. The result also clinched Nebraska’s first bowl appearance since 2016, snapping a nine-game losing streak with bowl eligibility at stake. Finally, it handed the Cornhuskers the Freedom Trophy for the first time in its existence.

By any measure, the loss was an historic one.

Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) needs a win over Minnesota in Week 14 or the program will not be bowl eligible for the first time in 23 years.

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