WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Matt Rhule thought if he stayed on the white strip that separates the taking part in discipline from the sideline, he might hurl his headset to the bottom with out penalty. And in order that’s what he did on Saturday within the fourth quarter as Nebraska led by two scores when vast receiver Jahmal Banks was flagged for holding to wipe out a first-down run by Emmett Johnson.
“I used to be simply mad,” Rhule mentioned earlier than the Huskers left Ross-Ade Stadium with a 28-10 win in opposition to Purdue, their first on the street within the Large Ten by a three-score margin in almost 5 years.
He was mad on the officers who flagged Banks — and who referred to as tight finish Thomas Fidone II for holding on the primary play of the second quarter, a fourth-and-3 throw and run after the catch of twenty-two yards to the top zone from Dylan Raiola to Rahmir Johnson.
Two years in the past when the Huskers performed right here and gave up 608 yards in a loss, such setbacks might need despatched them right into a tailspin. Similar with the 2019 Nebraska workforce that squandered probabilities in West Lafayette and left with some of the baffling defeats in a disappointing previous decade of soccer.
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These groups at Nebraska didn’t have Rhule. They usually actually didn’t have the freshman Raiola. The coach-QB duo plans to tug the Huskers alongside — drag them if wanted — to play the form of soccer that Nebraska followers need.
This Saturday’s exhibiting by Nebraska at Purdue illustrated the rising effectiveness of the Rhule-Raiola resilience and management. The Huskers (4-1, 1-1 Large Ten) shook off the results of a mistake-filled, scoreless first half to blow up for 4 touchdowns within the ultimate half-hour.
The headset toss received Rhule hit with a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. On high of the holding name, it backed Nebraska into second-and-29. Raiola related with Emmett Johnson for 27 yards on the following play. And Jacory Barney Jr. scored on a 25-yard run two performs later to ice the win.
Rhule didn’t need the penalty. However he did need the Huskers to see him, their second-year coach, “on the market preventing for them at present” after Nebraska misplaced in extra time per week in the past at residence in opposition to Illinois.
“Somebody’s going to should begin to struggle for Nebraska,” Rhule mentioned. “All proper? So I’m right here to struggle for Nebraska.”
He introduced some extra hearth on Saturday. Earlier than kickoff, Rhule gathered the Huskers in an enormous circle and referred to as a couple of gamers into the middle in teams of two, pitting them in opposition to one another in one-on-one collisions.
“It’s about angle,” former All-America heart Dominic Raiola mentioned as he watched the pregame exercise from the sideline, clearly loving it.
Dominic’s son delivered some angle, too.
Dylan Raiola hit 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and one landing, threading balls via a Purdue protection intent to sit down in zone protection and make the rookie beat the Boilermakers in his first street look. Raiola’s precision additionally led to 6 pass-interference calls.
His stat line via 5 video games: 99-of-141 passing (70.2 %) for 1,211 yards, 9 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Raiola’s efficiency at Purdue would possibly rank as his most spectacular with the Huskers.
When Nebraska struggled on third down within the first half, when it missed three discipline objectives and dedicated drive-killing penalties, Raiola’s work to drive six instances contained in the Purdue 40 failed to provide a degree. Nonetheless, he didn’t power throws. He saved his composure and saved leaning on Purdue. It broke defensively after halftime.
“We simply keep the course and we maintain grinding,” Raiola mentioned,
Nebraska trailed 3-0 late within the third quarter. On third-and-goal from the 6, Raiola shortened the cadence because the play clock dwindled and switched to a silent rely amid rising noise. He discovered Banks behind the top zone.
His presence calms the Huskers on offense. With Raiola on the helm, Nebraska has dedicated simply three turnovers one 12 months after it misplaced the ball 31 instances. It’s plus-5 in turnover margin, on observe to complete within the black for the third time since Frank Solich was fired as coach 21 years in the past.
Raiola acts the a part of a frontrunner. He wants assist, after all. However sooner than deliberate, the Huskers are turning into his workforce. Even with expectations via the roof for the previous five-star prospect, he’s a 12 months forward of schedule.
“This week was all about us and getting again to who we had been,” he mentioned. “We received punched within the mouth final week. And it was simply all about our response.”
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The opposite cornerstone, Rhule, mentioned he urged the Huskers after final week to rid themselves of the strain. He needs them to seek out the enjoyment in competitors.
“Let’s simply go play,” he mentioned.
At halftime, whereas Husker Nation fretted in regards to the missed alternatives, questioning collectively if Nebraska would depart on empty like in 2022 and 2019, Rhule didn’t harp on the errors.
“I informed them,” he mentioned, “‘That is precisely the place this workforce wanted to be.’”
They wanted to point out that they may win within the second half.
“I really like the truth that they didn’t flinch,” Rhule mentioned.
Nebraska’s issues on particular groups are obvious. Its offensive line is a patchwork product. The run protection, with unbeaten Rutgers and high again Kyle Monangai visiting Lincoln this week, seems susceptible.
“Individuals can spend all their time making an attempt to assume what we’re not,” Rhule mentioned. “I select to see what we’re.”
He pounded his hand 4 instances on a desk for emphasis in saying that Nebraska has improved incrementally.
“We went on the street after a devastating loss final week,” he mentioned. “And we discovered a method to win. And I couldn’t be prouder. It wasn’t the perfect soccer. We’ve so much to repair. However I’m pleased with the center of that workforce.”
Their coronary heart, their course, their capacity to open doorways lengthy shut at Nebraska? All of it begins with the coach and the QB.
(High picture of Dylan Raiola: Marc Lebryk / Imagn Pictures)
