Rhuling the News Cycle

It’s impossible not to chime in on the developing Matt Rhule-Penn State situation

Key to Victory: Transfer wide receiver Dane Key reaches high with one hand for the catch, sealing Nebraska’s first comeback win – with a touchdown that came on their final possession – since 2017. Illustration by Anthony Aleman 

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Dane Key reached up with one hand and snagged Dylan Raiola’s pass – not one of his best – out of the air with 1 minute and 8 seconds to go, completing a thrilling 34-31 comeback for the Huskers against Maryland in College Park. 

Another great, individual effort that encapsulated another great, cumulative effort and a true team win – Raiola, Emmett Johnson, Nyziah Hunterand (at right) several others included.  

Later that night, after a quick locker room pep talk, head coach Matt Rhule sent his players back out to celebrate with the 10,000-plus fans who made the trip east. Like so many other things Rhule has done, we ate up another move that summarized his appreciation of the fanbase. We’re just easy like that these days. Huskers fans then reciprocated the appreciation on social media and countless text messages. That is our coach. That is our guy.  

Well, less than 24 hours later, word came that Penn State had fired its head coach, James Franklin, in a surprising (I would not characterize it as shocking) move, if only because what is the point with so much season left? I guess two losses to lowly-ish UCLA and Northwestern did the trick. Then again, was he even really fired or was it just best to get the lawyers involved and part ways now?

You already know the facts, counselor: Our guy Rhule grew up in Pennsylvania as a Penn State fan, and played there from 1994-97, so it’s safe to say at some point he’s dreamed of coaching there, too (and he has a long-standing relationship with the school’s AD).

And so, just like that, the panicky chatter among Big Red faithful quickly changed to “just how much longer will that be our guy?

Rhule is certainly a candidate for the Penn State job. Duh. But as the rumors swirl it’s important to remember that “rumor” can be a flexible word. “A deal is already in place?” Rumor. “A conversation will take place?” Not a rumor. “A backroom conversation has already taken place between representatives of both sides?” Probably not a rumor.

A couple of things, though, to factor in before you go into full-blown panic mode:

1. It doesn’t seem like it within the proverbial Husker Bubble, but it’s possible in actuality Penn State is interested in somebody else.

2. All this talk might serve as a big-time midseason distraction; the Huskers take a nose-dive over the final six games; and Matt Rhule is no longer the prettiest girl at the dance. For neither Penn State nor us.   

3. It appears undeniable that Rhule has us on the upswing. He has changed the culture and secured us a big-time quarterback who has two more seasons of eligibility left. I agree with all of the Rhule goodwill, and for the record, I would be on the wrong side of heartbreak if he does leave, but … I mean … look at his overall record: 17-14. Frost left the program is some disarray, and winning in the Big Ten is difficult, certainly, but is 17-14 that much to be that worried over?   

We act like it. Again, we’re just sooooooo damn easy.  

Anyway, let’s move on from the speculation with “Four Downs.” It was a conversation that had to be had, but we’ve also got some football to play Friday night in Minneapolis. Ready, down, hut-hut-hut-hut-hut-hut-hut.

1) Emmett Johnson is one tough sumbitch. Johnson amassed 196 total yards in the win over Maryland and had a 50-yard run that got the Huskers back on track. He’s also from Minneapolis, and the Gophers did not recruit him out of high school (although in fairness, Nebraska was the only Power 4 school who did). But still, look for some modicum of revenge to be on Emmett’s brain Friday night and maybe No. 21 is even of tougher sumbitch than he was last week.   

2) Check out Dylan’s 4^th quarter passing stats against Power 4 opponents so far this year (Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State and Maryland). He is 36-of-46 (78.2 percent) for 335 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. The three picks on Saturday were an issue, but he came through when it mattered, completing 4 of 5 for 72 yards on the game-winning drive. The final pass wasn’t great but it was put in a spot where only his guy could get it and oh baby, did Mr. Key go up and get it.

3) Nebraska’s pass defense was brought down to Earth somewhat on Saturday. No need to push any sort of panic button here either, because it was a weird game with a total of 65 points scored. Just worth pointing out that secondary surrendered 249 yards, well over their pace of less than 100 (on average) through the first five. Again, it’s all good … for now. But it’s also worth pointing out that the Gophers have a slightly different identity than the rough-and-tumble teams of the past. This team can pass under the so-far, so-steady hand of freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey.  

4) Coaching distractions or not, it’s high time to end the losing streak to Minnesota. At five-straight losses to the Gophers it’s reached a level of embarrassment, particularly considering the grating disposition of their head coach, P.J. Fleck. (And while chances are small, it’s not send-his-ass-to-the-looney-bin crazy to see a scenario where, if Rhule does leave, Fleck is our next coach – in which just get it over with and beat me to a pulp with the Bits of Broken Chair Trophy brokenchairtrophy.com.) Nebraska is currently 8.5 favorites, but you’d hardly know it between the talk of Rhule and Nebraska’s decision to wear white pants (Nebraska’s ‘Surrender Whites’: Fact or Fiction?).

Coaching changes and pants changes? Say what? The drama never ceases inside the Husker Bubble, but here’s to a drama-free thrashing of Fleck and the Gophers Fright night.