Matt Rhule eager to capture Nebraska’s second road win of season

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Huskers are fresh off a blowout win, and their head coach wants to keep the momentum going as they approach the last game of the regular season.

Nebraska will try to make it two-straight wins at Kinnick Stadium when it takes on Iowa Friday night, and Coach Matt Rhule is all about returning the favor from what happened in Lincoln a year ago. After all, the Huskers have confidence heading into the Heroes Game, considering their offense is starting to gel under new Coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

Last week’s 44-25 victory over Wisconsin was proof of that. Quarterback Dylan Raiola played his best game of the season, the Huskers averaged 6.9 yards per carry as a team, and they racked up 29 first downs, which was a season-high in Big Ten play. Leaders are emerging, and Nebraska is taking on a new identity, which it didn’t have through the four-game losing streak. Now the Huskers are trending up, and Rhule believes it’s because everyone is trusting the process.

“It’s really hard to believe, it’s blind faith, it’s hard to believe when it hasn’t worked, so when it finally works it’s like alright, but they did it anyway,” Rhule said. “I think that’s the biggest message I have to the guys is no matter if you believe in it, or don’t believe in it, just show up, work and you’ll find out in the long run, so I’m proud of those guys.”

It also helps that the team is finally getting over the flu bug, and strep throat from last week. The weather will play a major factor against the Hawkeyes, with temperatures reaching the teens shortly after kickoff. That means passing will be a challenge, and Rhule must find ways to get creative with moving the ball.

Both teams will be looking to pound the football effectively. Which is why tackling will have to be on point for the Blackshirts, going up against one of the best running backs in the country. Kaleb Johnson ranks fourth nationally in scoring, and has a nose for the end zone, with 22 total touchdowns.

It’s going to be important for Defensive Coordinator Tony White to stuff the run, and force Iowa to beat the Blackshirts by throwing the ball.  Quarterback Jackson Stratton will will be making his second start for Iowa (7-4), but is still green in the experience department. The key for the Blackshirts will be to force Stratton to make mistakes, and use his arm.

Due to the freezing weather, Rhule is expecting a few wrinkles from Coach Kirk Ferentz to keep everyone guessing, but is confident the Huskers will be ready for whatever comes their way.

“Our guys are tough, Iowa’s guys are tough, I think the game will come down to football, if there was maybe ice on the field, or snow it’ll be a little different,” he said. “I feel pretty good about our ability to handle the cold, just because we do it in the spring, and again in the fall.”

The spotlight will be on Raiola, to see if he can pick up where he left off against the Badgers. Holgorsen is obviously having a major impact on the true freshman’s maturation process, and it appears the best is yet to come in Rhule’s eyes. Raiola is in full command of the offense, goes through his progressions and he’s starting to make others around him better, which Rhule values the most.

“Playing as a freshman in the Big Ten is really, really hard, it requires tough people, and I think Dylan has been tough, and he’s gotten better every week in a lot of ways,” the 49-year old coach said. “This week it was really easy to see because I thought he was in complete and total control, and another week with Dana has helped him as well.”

Special teams will be vital, including field position. The Hawkeyes have one of the nation’s best kickers in Drew Stevens, who has tremendous leg power and accuracy. Not to mention Kaden Wetjen is one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous return specialists. Nebraska lost to Iowa last season on a walk-off field goal, and this contest could very well go down in similar fashion.

There’s no pressure this time though, because Nebraska (6-5) has already reached bowl eligibility. However, a win will put the Huskers in a better bowl game. So that should be more than enough motivation for Nebraska to make a statement in primetime, leave a lasting impression and hoist the Heroes Trophy.