Four weeks ago, Nebraska football was 5-0 and had a double-digit fourth-quarter lead over defending national champion Indiana.
All seemed well in Lincoln.
About that...
The Cornhuskers haven't won since the Hoosiers' late comeback on Oct. 10, now riding a four-game losing streak after Friday's 24-13 loss at Illinois.
Nebraska outgained the Illini 426-373 but committed 11 accepted penalties and marked the fourth straight game the Huskers haven't reached 20 points.
Nebraska gave coach Matt Rhule a brand new contract this offseason, despite a 19-19 record in Lincoln, because Rhule's alma mater Penn State had an opening and Rhule openly flirted with it. The new deal extended him two years, but mortgaged more money in the long run by guaranteeing 90%
of his salary through 2032.
Friday's loss only compounds the pressure rising on Rhule, which he said took an ugly turn earlier this week.
Rhule said a fan confronted his 13-year-old daughter and cursed her after the Huskers’ loss to Washington on Oct. 31, leaving the coach wondering whether football was worth putting his family through such abuse.
“I love our fans, but a guy walked up to my 13-year-old daughter and was like, ‘F you and F your dad,'" Rhule said. "I’m not gonna keep coaching if it means my kids grow up screwed up. I'm not gonna grow up coaching to see my daughter shook. I'm gonna go fight for the fans from Red Cloud that drive here.
"I'm gonna go fight for the fans that, yeah, they get passionate, they boo, they throw a bottle. ... I get all of that. But the guy that attacked my 13-year-old daughter, I'm not coaching for him."
At 5-4, the Huskers need at least one win to reach bowl eligibility. They travel to Rutgers next week before finishing with Ohio State and Iowa. A season of such promise is now hoping for a Pinstripe Bowl invite.
Matt Rhule buyout
Rhule's new contract calls for a a $63 million buyout at the end of this season. Or a $54 million buyout at the end of 2027, or $44 million at the end of 2028.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska was 5-0. Four losses later, the heat is on Matt Rhule
