Matt Rhule on Nebraska football: ‘It’s my job to fix it’

It feels like Nebraska football is close. But sometimes, being close can still feel like being a mile away.

After a surprising 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois last Friday, there’s been talk, again, about how close the Huskers are to finally finding the success we have all been hoping for and waiting for.

Matt Rhule said on Monday that he has a team of winners and that it’s his job to get them over the hump.

Matt Rhule addresses Nebraska football issues

“That sounds like coach-speak,” he said. “But, honestly, that’s where we are right now. As games get tight, and our team gets a little tight — and they start doing uncharacteristic things — it’s my job to fix it. I have to help us get over the hump.”

People talk about being able to deliver in the clutch. It’s more about just being able to execute. That’s something the Huskers haven’t done that well on defense, especially when it comes to things like tackling. It was an issue against Northern Iowa and reared its ugly head again.

“They had a lot of yards after contact,” Rhule said of Illinois. “That’s the second week in a row I’m saying that. It’s disappointing. We’re not tackling at the level that we’ve seen us tackle at. We’re not getting off blocks at the level we’ve shown before.”

In three games, Purdue is averaging 6.5 rushing yards per attempt. The Boilermakers might be 1-2, but they have some things for Nebraska fans to worry about, plus winning Big Ten road games is never easy, especially for a team that’s still learning how to win.

Rhule said it’s his job to “fix things” and hopefully that starts Saturday in a game that the Huskers can’t afford to lose.

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