By Rock Westfall
On Friday night, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will finish the regular season on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Nebraska (6-5, 3-5, Big Ten) is coming off its best game of Matt Rhule’s tenure as head coach. That dominant performance against the Wisconsin Badgers could bode well, or not so well, for the matchup with the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3).
When Nebraska routed the Colorado Buffaloes 28-10, it drew gushing national media attention and adoration from Big Red fans. Joel Klatt, Kirk Herbstreit, and Pat McAfee were all talking about Nebraska’s potential for a College Football Playoff berth. But a 31-24 overtime home loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini set the tone for what has been a perilous path to a bowl berth.
However, Nebraska’s new “wow factor” has made such an impact that there is genuine optimism for the Black Friday rivalry showdown on NBC primetime.
Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen on simplifying the #Huskers offense:
"This is a very large playbook… I was like, 'Look, there's only sheet and whatever's on the sheet is going to get called."@1011_News coverage: https://t.co/lmjJg1d1Mj pic.twitter.com/Ymg3u632RX
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) November 26, 2024
Dana Delivers Simplicity and Accountability
At his Tuesday press conference, new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen laid out the changes he has implemented since taking over during a bye week and the two most recent games that followed.
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Holgorsen gave a virtuoso performance at the podium. Most importantly, he explained how Nebraska’s cumbersome ways had players confused on offense.
Specifically, Holgorsen shortened the previously large and confusing playbook while simplifying the positions specific players will play.
“My job is to take the thinking out of it for these guys,” he said. “…If it don’t make sense to me, it ain’t gonna make sense to them.”
Quarterback Dylan Raiola appreciates the changes. “I think everyone on the offense got more comfortable,” Raiola said. “You could kind of see that as we kept progressing throughout the game.”
“I’ll say this, the culture that Coach Rhule has here, and the players…I call it the “Give a Crap Level”…ya know how much they care, how much they want to play, enjoy practicing, enjoy the process…it allows me to coach the way I want to coach.”
– Dana Holgorsen. This guy…— HuskGuys (@HuskGuys) November 26, 2024
Tight end Thomas Fidone, who was touted in the preseason to be the Nebraska version of Travis Kelce to Raiola’s role as Patrick Mahomes, played only three snaps last week compared to 91 by the other Big Red tight ends. That was by Holgorsen’s design. This week, instead of moping, Fidone is working harder than ever.
“I think that motivated Thomas,” Holgorsen said. “Thomas just had the best practice he’s had since I’ve been here. I appreciate his attitude and his understanding. He lined up, and he practiced hard for two days, so I would anticipate him going in there making plays on Saturday.”
Holgorsen had himself a “spectacular” experience in his first game as OC at Memorial Stadium.
“I’m happy being here right now,” Holgorsen said. “I love what I’m doing. I had more fun on Saturday than I’ve had in a long time. There’s an element of being a head coach 13 years not being able to enjoy it like I did on Saturday.”
He also praised the Matt Rhule culture that has produced players who care and want to win.
🏈 "It's about competition…I don't care who's played or who's the starter: If you're not performing at the level I need to you to perform at…then we're going to change it."
Absolute music to #Huskers fans ears from new NU OC Dana Holgorsen. pic.twitter.com/ljmTgbxOgg
— Adam Krueger (@AdamKruegerTV) November 26, 2024
Now Brings the Ultimate Obstacle for Nebraska
Following a 5-1 start to the season, Nebraska was generously praised and touted by the biggest names in the college football media. Fans were thinking big, and recruiting picked up. But a four-game losing streak put the season in doubt, and Nebraska faced utter catastrophe.
Nebraska took fans on a roller coaster ride that included a blowout road loss to the Indiana Hoosiers followed by a near-miss on the road against the Ohio State Buckeyes. When the mediocre UCLA Bruins came to Memorial Stadium, the pregame bowl-eligibility party started early. However, the day was ruined by an inexcusably poor performance and loss that had fans ready to give up on supporting the program.
I’ve seen a lot of “imagine if we had Dana all year” and “Rhule shouldn’t have waited until November to make the change at OC.
Don’t forget Rhule tried to make this happen last December #GBR #Huskers pic.twitter.com/mazFoEiKtX
— Josh 🔴🌽 (@jhorton402) November 24, 2024
But Holgorsen arrived to take on the challenge of coordinating an offense with an unfamiliar playbook and facing the demands of finding a way to instill confidence in the players and save the campaign for a bowl game.
Until last Saturday against Wisconsin, the Huskers failed to prove they could face adversity and pressure to prevail. Finally, they did so in a resounding 44-25 win to clinch a bowl berth.
Now, the Big Red must overcome a second fatal flaw that has perpetually held them down. Nebraska must prove it can handle success with a win at Iowa.
As Holgorsen acknowledged on Tuesday, the matchup at Kinnick Stadium will not be easy. But it can be done.
Holgorsen is the new impact ingredient that can get Nebraska past its toughest opponent: Itself.
Last week Nebraska finally showed it can handle pressure. This week can validate that Nebraska can finally handle success.
Dana Holgorsen didn't answer any questions about his future beyond this season at Nebraska.
But one thing's for sure, he's enjoying the ride while he's here.
"I had more fun on Saturday than I've had in a long time."@KETV | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/oFujakpYnp
— Matt Sottile (@MSottileTV) November 26, 2024
