First up: an admission. I didn’t watch this game live, as I was watching my son’s team in the state quarterfinals. Millard North beat Omaha North 21-0, setting up a rematch next week against Millard South in a game that will feature three Nebraska recruits. And for my money, Millard North’s Tory Pittman III is the best player in the state. I’m not a recruitnik, so I don’t know how this translates to the next level. I just know he makes plays no one else in this state can, at least that I’ve seen
thus far.
That high school game didn’t stop me from periodically checking Twitter (Not sorry, Elon. I’m going to continue calling it Twitter.) for updates. And what I saw when watching the game Friday night and Saturday morning pretty much syncs with my impression of the tweets: Nebraska let a winnable game squirm away yet again, except this time, it slipped away after halftime. From my perspective, the Illini seized control of the game once Nebraska linebacker Owen Chambliss left the game. But that’s not to place the blame on the defense or use Chambliss’ absence as an excuse.
Nebraska’s biggest problem was scoring points; the Huskers had FOUR eleven play drives that failed to score a point, and that falls on BOTH the offense and special teams. Saturday morning, Matt Rhule dismissed offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and putting Glenn Thomas in charge of playcalling. (Fortunately, Marcus Satterfield was not reinstated.) I’m not sure Holgorsen was the problem here, but Rhule has proven himself to not be passive in these situations. If anything, he’s quick to change directions.
The elephant in the room is Rhule’s own job status. No question it’s a hot seat, but a little perspective is due here. A bowl bid is still likely in 2026, and if that happens, that’s three straight, and that’s something that hasn’t been done in Lincoln since the days of Bo Pelini. Combine that with the cost of Rhule’s buyout (the basis for which is another discussion entirely for another day, because it doesn’t matter anymore), Rhule isn’t going anywhere just yet.
It’s not unreasonable to be skeptical of Matt Rhule. It’s not unreasonable to not like Matt Rhule. It is unreasonable to just swallow that $63 million buyout, if only to somehow “hold him accountable.” Raise your hand if you wouldn’t mind being paid $63 million by your boss to “hold you accountable” for issues at work. (The vast majority of you would scream “CHECK PLEASE!” and happily walk out the door on those terms. If not dance.)
Not everything sucks with Nebraska football; the defense is looking pretty good at this point. Special teams is a debacle, and the offense moves the ball inconsistently. Those are the things that need to get fixed, and unless there is a James Madison head coach ready to go, no quick fix is going to happen by starting over. (For those of you wondering, James Madison’s latest head coach is Billy Napier, who went 22-23 at Florida the previous four years. So that’s not an option either.)
With that, it’s onto the report card. As always, your feedback is welcome in the comments.
QB: Anthony Colandrea was mostly OK. I’m not sure what the logic was on the deep pass to Jacory Barney; Quinn Clark could have caught it as well, but it seems like an odd play to have defenders converging like that. Worked was the most important thing. Let’s see how Glen Thomas does setting up the entire offense this month. That being said, Colandrea needs to be a little more confident in the pocket at times; he shouldn’t get sacked on a three man rush. Grade: C-
I-Back: A new wrinkle this week was having Jamal Rule available as an outlet in the passing game more often. Running room dried up big time in the second half as Illinois adjusted…and the Huskers didn’t. Mekhi Nelson’s personal fould late in the game was not only unnecessary, it pretty much sealed Nebraska’s fate Grade: D+
WR: Too many drops, and three drive killing penalties. I think Jacory Barney might have been the only Husker receiver to care much of the evening. Grade: F
OL: Speaking of penalties, three on the offensive line really hurt, especially Tree Babalade’s holding call on Nebraska’s second drive of the game. (Yes, it was an Oscar-winning flop that any Premier League soccer fan could only marvel at. Can’t put yourself in that position.) Hurts being down Brendan Black, but Nebraska needs more push up front. Grade: F
DL: I thought the defensive line was OK most of the evening; at times, they got pushed around by the Illini, but Cam Lenhardt Jordan Ochoa and Williams Nwaneri made their presence know at times. Grade: C
LB: Owen Chambliss; absence in the second half really hurt Nebraska. Illini runs went a little longer, pressure on the Illini quarterback was less, as the game slipped away from Nebraska. Grade: D
Secondary: Penalties, poor coverage was the story of the game. Worst performance of the season. Grade: F
Special Teams: UGH. Two missed field goals. Allowing a 30 yard gain on an Illinois fake field goal. Returning kickoffs and not getting to the 25 yard line. The only redeeming factor was Archie Wilson doing a decent job punting. Grade: F
Overall: F Some said this loss was inexcusable; I wouldn’t go that far. But make no doubt about this: this shouldn’t have happened. They got outplayed most of the night.
Elsewhere in College Football
Ohio State: F OK, what’s worse. Losing to Dylan Raiola in the last minute of the game on the road, or getting paper cut to death at home the entire afternoon?
LSU: F How much did you pay for the Lane train again?
NIL and the Portal: B It needs to get cleaned up, but the days of an Alabama or 1990’s Nebraska dynasty are over. Upsets rule today’s game.
