Tag: Matt Rhule

A closer look at Nebraska’s victory over Colorado

The Huskers moved to 2-0 on the season with the victory.

Nebraska improved to 2-0 on Saturday night with a 28-10 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes. The 18-point margin of victory is the largest for the Cornhuskers in this rivalry since a 45-17 win over the Buffs in 2010.

The Huskers now hold a 50-21-2 all-time edge in the series, including 27-9 in Lincoln. Nebraska held Colorado to ten points, making the Buffaloes the ninth straight opponent the Huskers have held to 24 or fewer points.

The Cornhuskers finished with 334 yards of offense, while Colorado could only muster 260 yards of total offense and only 16 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola finished the game 23-of-30 for 185 yards and one touchdown. After the win, the freshman quarterback talked about the importance of the offense setting a physical tone early in the game.

“Obviously, that’s our foundation. That’s what Husker football and this offense is built on. I couldn’t say enough about my o-line going out and covering people up and moving people off the ball. Receivers, blocking and being physical and running backs, finishing runs and making plays. It was a team win, team effort, and we’re just happy we’re 1-0 right now.”

Nebraska will now prepare for Northern Iowa next Saturday. The Huskers will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Find a photo gallery of Nebraska’s victory below.

Can Colorado pick up a rare win at Nebraska in Week 2?

Take a look at some of the recent history between the Colorado Buffaloes and Nebraska Cornhuskers in College Football.

The Colorado Buffaloes and Nebraska Cornhuskers got back in action a season ago, but now the long-storied rivalry will pick up again on Saturday in Lincoln. The game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET and will be available on NBC and Peacock.

Both programs come into the game with 1-0 records but have loftier goals than beating their long-time rivals. Both Nebraska and Colorado have seen high-level success, followed by long draughts of struggles. Both coaches Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule are scrutinized every weekend, and their teams are watched like hawks.

The fans in Boulder and Lincoln expect and demand more from their programs. Both the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes have an exciting quarterback, and tools to use on both sides of the football. We are expecting this game to wrap up as one of the best Week 2 games of the season.

Past History

This is the 73rd meeting between these two teams. Nebraska has won 26 out of 35 at home in the long history. Last season, the Buffaloes made quick and easy work of Nebraska winning 36-14. The game started scoreless after one, but Colorado scored all 36 in the next three quarters.

The very first matchup was back in 1898 when Nebraska beat Colorado 23-10. The biggest blowout between these two teams came back in 1981 when the Cornhuskers smashed the Buffaloes 59-0. Before the rivalry ended for a bit, the Buffaloes won a tight one in 2019 by a score of 34-31. Many will remember the shoot-out in 2007 where the teams combined for 116 points in a 65-51 win for Colorado.

We highlighted the Buffaloes’ struggles in Lincoln, but the last time they played there, they won. They beat the Cornhuskers 33-28 in 2018. The stretch of 1968-1985 was dominated by the Cornhuskers. They won 18 straight games during that span.

What to Expect

This should be a Shedeur Sanders against Dylan Raiola battle royale. Sanders was one of the top performers in Week 1.  He finished with 445 passing yards and four touchdowns. He did throw a poor interception, but finished with an 81.9 QBR. Sanders carried the ball six times in the win, for 17 yards, but moving the chains with his legs has been an added plus for the Buffaloes.

Raiola has a ton of hype, and rightfully so. The freshman out of Georgia has a strong arm and can run when needed. He was 19 of 27 for 238 yards and two scores in the blowout win in Week 1. He did not need to run against UTEP, but getting away from Colorado defenders could be in the cards for Week 2.

Raiola will need to look out for Travis Hunter, hunting down passes. Hunter was not only impressive in receiving three touchdowns, but also defending the best pass catchers last week. If the game needs a deal breaker following the quarterback play, Hunter is probably the guy.

In the end, can the offensive line of the Buffaloes hold up with Nebraska coming at them? Can Matt Rhule pick up a big victory, and keep the Cornhuskers alive in potential Big Ten teams to make a run at the Top 12? Who will win the battle of quarterbacks?

These questions and more will all be answered Saturday night in Lincoln.

USA TODAY Sports explores Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule’s different recruiting approaches

Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule have taken wildly different approaches to recruiting

Second-year head coaches Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule have taken significantly different approaches to rebuilding their respective rosters.

At Colorado, Coach Prime’s use of the college football transfer portal and lack of in-home recruiting visits have been well documented. The Buffs’ roster is comprised largely of transfers, ranging from star quarterback Shedeur Sanders to long snapper Kameron Hawkins.

Meanwhile, Rhule and his Nebraska Cornhuskers staff have taken the more traditional approach of signing and later developing high school recruits.

Ahead of Saturday’s Week 2 game between the Buffs and Cornhuskers, USA TODAY Sports’ Brent Schrotenboer took a closer look at Coach Prime and Rhule’s different approaches.

Schrotenboer highlighted this eye-popping fact:

Rhule brought in 48 freshmen out of 60 newcomers this year, including non-scholarship players. Sanders did almost the exact opposite – bringing in 44 transfer players out of 65 newcomers.

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Rhule discusses importance of Colorado matchup

Matt Rhule is even-keel about Saturday’s game against Colorado.

Nebraska will face the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday in one of the most anticipated games of the entire college football season. Husker coach Matt Rhule discussed the game’s meaning to Nebraska and its fans.

The Huskers are seeking revenge after last season’s 36-14 loss in Boulder. Nebraska has not beaten Colorado since the 2010 season. Now, the bright lights will be on the Huskers, as Big Ten Freshman of the Week Dylan Raiola looks to build off his strong performance from the opener.

Rhule met with the media on Monday and took a level-headed approach to the matchup.

“I don’t think that way. This is our second game. We’re going to try and make an improvement from last week. I thought the guys handled last week great. I think everyday is a measuring stick for us and our program. Like everyday we are trying to see where we are. We’ll play the game and we’ll come in on Sunday whatever the result and we’ll get better for week three. That’s literally all I can say. We are as day by day as we have ever been as a program.”

The coach may not view this game as a measuring stick contest, but it certainly carries a lot of weight, both in terms of the Huskers 2024 season and in the college football landscape. The game has so many plot lines and storylines, and a win on Saturday could set the trajectory for the rest of the season.

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Deion Sanders has ‘ton of respect’ for Husker coach Matt Rhule

Coach Prime had a lot to say about Matt Rhule, Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders met with the media on Tuesday afternoon. The Buffaloes head coach opened his press conference by discussing his respect for Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule.

“First of all, I have a ton of respect for Matt Rhule. I feel like we are a fraternity. I root for that class of head coaches that came in that year (2023).  He was a professional… maybe not the job that he aspired to do, but he has a ton of experience in his college coaching career.”

Last season, Colorado defeated Nebraska in Boulder 36-14. Sanders acknowledged that this Nebraska team will be physical and try to establish their running game early on.

“I look for them to be physically tough, imposing. They’re going to try to run the football. They have a freshman quarterback that had a pretty good day last week – but we got to do what we do. We got to go in there and do what we are capable of doing, and I think we showed a glimpse of that second half of our first game against a formidable opponent.”

It’s no surprise that Deion would speak about Nebraska in such friendly terms. With Matt Rhule making similar statements earlier in the week, it’s clear that neither coach wants to give anyone bulletin board material.

Nebraska will welcome Colorado to Memorial Stadium this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.

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Matt Rhule shares thoughts on Colorado ahead of rematch

Nebraska’s head coach offered his early thoughts on Colorado

It’s officially rivalry week for the 1-0 Colorado football team with a trip to Nebraska set for Saturday. The Buffs are looking for their fourth straight win over the Cornhuskers and their second under the guidance of head coach Deion Sanders.

While last year’s matchup in Boulder featured its fair share of drama, second-year Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reaffirmed his respect for Colorado ahead of this weekend’s rematch.

“They’re a competitive culture,” Rhule said during his Monday press conference. “They go recruit and get the best players they can get, they do well in school, they don’t get in trouble off the field and they compete. I respect what they do.”

Over the summer, Rhule called Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders “one of the best football players I’ve ever coached against.” He also praised Coach Prime, crediting him for helping make college football more relevant nationally.

Rhule also had this to say about Saturday’s matchup:

“I just look at this as a really good football test for two teams, two teams that have plans on being good teams and want to be relevant at the end of the year,” Rhule said. “They’re gonna play us, we’re gonna play them. We’re not even in the same conference. While I know it matters to people and it matters to us and it matters to them, we’re gonna see where we are. I’m just trying to get the football right and nothing else. I’m not gonna not wear black this week or not say their name. I’m worried about our team.”

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Dylan Raiola named one of the biggest winners from week one

The freshman quarterback was impressive in his first game as a Cornhusker.

Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been named one of the biggest winners of week one of the 2024 college football season. USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg listed Raiola among the likes of Penn State, Tennessee, Ohio State, Texas, and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty

The former five-star prospect completed 19-of-27 passing attempts for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His terrific collegiate debut led the Huskers to a 40-7 win over the UTEP Miners.

Here’s what Myerberg had to say about the freshman’s performance.

“One of the biggest additions of the offseason in the Big Ten, Raiola is a clear upgrade over what Nebraska worked with in Matt Rhule’s first season and one of a few reasons why the Cornhuskers are a trendy pick for eight or more wins.”

Raiola and the Huskers will look to get off to a 2-0 start next Saturday as Nebraska hosts Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes program. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game can be seen on NBC/Peacock.

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Matt Rhule talks about addition of TE Mack Markway

Mack Markway will add to a loaded tight end room for Nebraska.

Nebraska football got another addition earlier this week in tight end Mac Markway. Coach Matt Rhule confirmed earlier this week that Markway is immediately eligible.

The tight end’s story is unique. He came to Nebraska on his own and did everything himself, including taking a visit and going through the admissions process. He came to the Huskers from LSU, where he recorded three catches for 16 yards and a touchdown last season. The Missouri native was formerly a four-star recruit.

Rhule told reporters earlier this week about Markway’s story, in what is truly one of the more fascinating developments of the season so far.

“I think he came up here and did like a school tour, like the one I took my son on. Like we didn’t have any contact with him, and yeah he’s eligible by rule. “

“I was really surprised to be quite honest with you, you know, and a great surprise. He’s a heck of a player, played as a freshman at LSU, and so we’re used to these kinds of things because we were in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey is traded on a Thursday, played on Sunday. So, we’re used to getting guys up to speed.”

It will be interesting to see when Markway will play for Nebraska. The odds are that we will see him later in the season as he gets acclimated to his surroundings. Depth is starting to accrue at Nebraska, especially in the tight ends room, as the offense continues to load up with weapons.

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Matt Rhule pleased with the running game in Nebraska’s win

Nebraska’s rushing attack was a key component in Saturday’s victory.

Nebraska’s running backs room played a significant role in Saturday’s 40-7 win over the UTEP Miners. Coach Matt Rhule talked about their contributions following the win.

The running backs had 47 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Emmett Johnson was the leader in the game, carrying the ball eight times for 71 yards. Dante Dowdell had eight carries for 55 yards, while Rahmir Johnson had 11 carries for 50 yards. Gabe Ervin Jr. was the red zone weapon, scoring two touchdowns on six carries.

All told the Nebraska running backs room got the job done, averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a group. Rhule was pleased with the effort the running backs put in, as he said in his press conference following the game.

“They all made plays. It was a shame that Dante (Dowdell) had that fumble, but he was really running well. Dante has done such a good job. At the end of the spring, I probably would have put him fourth. He was the second back in the game today. Dante, I thought he was really playing well, running the ball well, and then had that fumble. I’m happy to see him come back. Gabe (Ervin Jr.) had some plays, Emmett (Johnson) with the long run, Rahmir (Johnson), I thought he ran hard. I was pleased with the whole group, and Maurice (Mazzccua Jr.) came in and did really well too.”

If anything, Saturday’s game spoke to the depth of the Huskers’ unit. All running backs played well and perfectly balanced the Huskers’ passing attack. It also gave fans a preview of what the running back room can look like for the rest of the season.

If Saturday was any indication, Nebraska should have one of the best rushing attacks in the Big Ten yet again.

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Huskers coach Matt Rhule outlines kicking plans for Saturday

The Huskers will take a dual-kicker approach on Saturday.

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule offered some clarity regarding the team’ kicking situation on Thursday afternoon. He told reporters that the program could use two kickers on Saturday. John Hohl could kick from farther out, and Tristan Alvano could handle shorter kicks. Rhule expects Hohl to handle kickoffs, as reported by the Omaha World-Herald’s Bland.

Discussions about the kicking battle continued throughout training camp. Hohl impressed both special teamteam’sches, Ed Foley and Rhule.

Alvano has been battling injuries over the course of the past couple of months. Foley indicated that Alvano would probably be ready for SatuSaturday’sner, although that would be decided prior to game time.

At the very least, this gives the Huskers the opportunity to see what they have in both kickers. It also does not force Alvano to rush back as he recovers from injury. Kickoff for SatuSaturday’se is set for 3:30 PM

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