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Matt Rhule Celebrates “Best Day Ever” While Selling Nebraska Program, Culture, & Good Life

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule continues to generate offseason momentum and excitement

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Oct 21
Oct 21

By Rock Westfall

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule continues to generate offseason momentum and excitement. On Saturday, the Cornhusker offense finally ignited and produced the promise of a contender. Rhule and Nebraska continue to show rapid and substantive progress toward an epic turnaround season. 

The Red Dawn of Offense 

Last year, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were half a team. A stout defense ranked 11th overall in the nation was not supported by a mistake-prone offense ranked 123rd in the country for scoring, 117th for yardage, and 115th for turnovers. Thus, with a 5-3 record and needing only one more win for a bowl berth, the Huskers instead went four and out to finish 5-7 and home for the holidays.

Since that debacle, Rhule and the entire Nebraska program have been on a redemption tour. A strong recruiting class was led by coveted 5-Star QB Dylan Raiola, who flipped from Georgia, arguably the best program in the country. Raiola’s arrival gave Nebraska a thunder jolt of national credibility.

On Saturday in a 200-play scrimmage, the Big Red offense finally showed explosiveness and the capability of big plays. Rhule called it the “best day ever” for his offense since his arrival. He also called the offense “dominant” in his post-scrimmage press conference.

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“This was the most dominant day we’ve had on offense ever,” said Rhule. “There might have been eight, 10, 12 touchdowns out there today: explosive plays, big plays. I think we had one fumble late with the threes, but I thought the ball was protected. In all fairness, we aren’t hitting the quarterback, and a lot of plays extend, so I’m going to go back and say, ‘Well, that would have been a sack.’ I don’t want to sound the alarm. The ability to throw and catch the ball and guys making catches and plays after the catches has been good. We didn’t run the ball, we had one long explosive run, but on offense by far the best day we’ve ever had since I’ve been here.”

Big Red Triplets Give QB Room Quality Depth  

Although the true freshman phenom Dylan Raiola remains the favorite to start when the season kicks off on August 31 against UTEP, Rhule says the competition remains open and that it is too soon to name a starter because of a lack of significant separation between the three main prospects.

Rhule is committed to giving Raiola, redshirt junior Heinrich Haarberg, and true freshman Daniel Kaelin an opportunity to win the job. During spring camp, Rhule has set up three teams, one led by each QB.

Haarberg, a 3-Star product out of Kearney (NE) Catholic, had his moments last year, producing all five of Nebraska’s wins while flashing a dual-threat capability.

Kaelin is a 3-star prospect from Bellevue West (NE) who is exceeding expectations to the point of no longer being ignored. He has impressed coaches with his ability to read defense and a release that is as good as Rhule has ever seen from a college quarterback.

Meanwhile, Raiola has dazzled Rhule with his arm and his ability to throw effectively on the run. He has also impressed coaches with his superior work ethic and a demeanor that is not entitled in spite of his 5-star status.

Without question, the Nebraska quarterback room has undergone a vast upgrade compared to the 2023 edition. 

A Big Red Chief and Ground Game Threat 

Redshirt junior transfer Chief Borders is receiving praise for his hard work and quantum leap of improvement at the linebacker position. Borders played in all 12 games for Nebraska last year after transferring in from Florida, where he played primarily on special teams for the Gators in 2022. Rhule praised Borders as a “problem” in the best kind of way.

Redshirt Sophomore running back Emmett Johnson is also having a strong spring after seeing action in the final five games of the 2023 campaign. Johnson averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 90 rushing attempts for 411 yards. He is working to become the feature back for the Big Red. Rhule wants a tough, physical team that epitomizes complementary football and Johnson could fulfill an important role in that regard. 

Why Would You Go Somewhere Else? 

Equally important to recruiting, improving players, and development is a team culture that is rapidly emerging as the fuel of Nebraska’s program takeoff. Matt Rhule remains relentless in preaching the Big Red Gospel.

Rhule has been adamant about Nebraska being able to fight off tampering poachers because of the type of player he recruits. Rhule’s recruiting process is about weeding out players who are in it only for the bag. Instead, he takes players who want something more.

Rhule continues to unapologetically tout a demanding but complete way of life at Nebraska that offers the finest in facilities, strength training, nutrition, a Big Ten education, and the greatest fans in college football. He sells the quality of life offered in the State of Nebraska, its nice people, and its safety. Additionally, he turns players loose to interact with the media in a way that few other big-time programs would dare.

Those who enter the state of Nebraska are greeted by a sign that says “Nebraska…The Good Life.”

Matt Rhule is showing why that is so and is working to make it even better.

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