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Matt Rhule Emphasizes Reducing the Huskers’ ‘Lowlights’
Notes and quotes from Nebraska football’s ninth spring practice
Highlight reels from practice can get fans' blood pumping, but the flip side of the coin has Matt Rhule pumping the brakes.
The material on the cutting room floor is what will be the difference between winning and losing games this fall, the Nebraska football head coach said after Thursday's practice.
"The highlights haven't been the reason why we haven't been to a bowl game in the last six years," Rhule said. "It's the lowlights. And so I'm more of a 'Hey, what are the defects, eliminate the defects' type of coach.
"So, yeah, we've had some unbelievable, wild plays. But let's talk about the amount of sacks we're giving up, or the big plays we're giving up, or the missed assignments that we have, or the missed opportunities in two minutes.
"So, also making sure that we're coaching the what not to do and what to avoid. That's really the step for the quarterback 'cause those guys can make dynamic plays, but our season will be dependent upon how many times we beat ourselves on a play and how many times we don't. And that's really what you worry about with freshman quarterbacks and what you have to teach your freshman quarterbacks."
Freshmen Dylan Raiola and Daniel Kaelin are competing for the starting QB job with junior Heinrich Haarberg, last season's primary starter. Rhule is looking for separation at the position, but "we're not here to pick the starter. We're trying to make them all good enough to be the starter." The quarterbacks are responding not just physically but also mentally, as they're "flipping protections like I've never seen" in 11 years of coaching college football.
Much more was addressed during Thursday's post-practice interviews, including depth on the offensive line, the competition at running back and the injury situation (nothing major). Also speaking were O-line coach Dominic Raiola and two of his players, Ben Scott and Bryce Benhart. Scroll past the video for coverage, and refresh this page to see the latest content. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. | HuskerMax updates & discussion | Spring coverage hub
Coverage
- Husker247 | Some Husker O-line talk coming your way: “Knuckles up”
- Husker247 | Matt Rhule Thursday quick hits, news and notes
- HuskerMax/KLIN | One-minute recap
- Nebraska Athletics | Rhule talks depth, development
- Video | Rhule, Raiola, Scott, Benhart
- Omaha World-Herald | Shatel/McKewon recap (video)
- Inside Nebraska | Carpenter/Verghese recap (video)
- Omaha World-Herald* | Running back puzzle continues with multiple options searching for playing time
- Omaha World-Herald* | Players making progress by observing, learning from each other
- Omaha World-Herald* | Knuckles up, and hopes too: Donovan Raiola, Nebraska linemen bullish on vet room that ‘runs itself’
- Lincoln Journal Star* | A closer look at the support staff that helps build Nebraska football’s defense up
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Teammates to teachers: Nebraska football’s spring is driven by player-led learning
