Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule press conference after overtime loss to Illinois (Sept. 20, 2024)

[@djensen2319]

We go 3-0 and all of a sudden the boys are supposed to win the rest of the games. I hate it so bad that they lost, but it wasn’t a blowout and we played ok compared to the last 10 years.

Well said

[@smedleybutler5276]

Yay we can’t beat a team we are supposed to. Let’s get excited, we are close losers! Yay!

[@krunkformula]

We lost in the exact same fashion we have been losing for 5 years now

[@sebastianmorber116]

@@smedleybutler5276 Illinois was ranked 24, that is not at all something you are "supposed" to win

[@smedleybutler5276]

@@sebastianmorber116 And what was NU ranked? Vegas didn’t have NU picked to win?

[@larrybauer7250]

I have utmost respect for the team and coach

[@TrevorStott-k1v]

I see people saying “all is lost” or “replace Matt Rhule” but you have to remember that DYLAN RAIOLA IS A FRESHMAN, there is going to be mistakes!! Illinois is a tough football team, and the toughest team we’ve played all year. I don’t think this loss is that bad, and next week will be way better. It’s not like we lost by 40…

[@smedleybutler5276]

What does that have to do with terrible OL and DL play and special teams?

[@TrevorStott-k1v]

@@smedleybutler5276 people are blaming the coaching staff

[@smedleybutler5276]

@@TrevorStott-k1v Shouldn’t they? Who is responsible for teaching lineman to block? Isn’t that the coaching staff? How about special teams? Coaching staff?

[@TrevorStott-k1v]

@@smedleybutler5276 I understand that, but they arent the only reason they aren’t blocking. The linemen are the ones not blocking, arent they

[@smedleybutler5276]

@@TrevorStott-k1v Who’s coaching them? It ultimately falls on coaching. Are you a Frost apologist, as well?

[@josephpio159]

If he doesn't discipline them for the flags all is lost

[@stephena5752]

I think losing is enough. This isn’t 5th grade football.

[@scottdillard-q6y]

You can't really judge by flags. Half the flags called on both teams were bs. Not saying there's no room for improvement but the refs have been flag happy

[@theSparkyWatts]

All is already lost for over 20 years

[@Anne_Frank00]

Flags didn't lose them the game, playing like idiots did

[@mhugheslee]

Some of those flags were not violations. They were just playing physical.

[@grantmill8293]

Ill QB hardly missed a pass. Because their receivers were WIDEOPEN ALL NIGHT LONG. That was most disappointing about the game to me. Defense flat out STUNK! Without those 2 take aways they didn't do jack! So wide open every play. Stevie wonder could of had the same night that Ill kid did. 27/31 4 TDs

[@oldironsides4107]

I doubt that I’ve actually pretended to fall and shoved Stevie wonder into a giant dessert cart and stepped on his hands trying to help him up. I also kicked him in the groin around 1988 or so. Hit him with dozens of batteries over the decades. I was going to depants him but his security started getting wise to me and knew me on a first name basis after i tackled and subdued him and tried to press my thumbs into his eyes as ( and to this day ). I believed he was faking being blind.

[@stephena5752]

It was just a scheme advantage. The defense played fine. The offensive scheme was better

[@slim932]

That Illinois qb outplayed Dylan. Plain and simple.

[@stephena5752]

@@slim932no. Casual

[@alexwells1250]

Take their black shirts

[@nicholasanderson5666]

Bielema is a great coach! Illinois looked good and played big 10 football. He owned us the second half.

[@RyanHaase-n5j]

If Raiola hits the wide open receiver for the TD, Nebraska wins and nobody is saying this.

[@jamiecrawford8133]

​@@RyanHaase-n5j That's exactly right. And I doubt anyone in Arkansas is calling Bielema a great coach.

[@tgas7464]

@@RyanHaase-n5jcan’t in any world blame the loss on dylan

[@RyanHaase-n5j]

@@tgas7464 Definitely not blaming Dylan for the loss. I just stated that if he hits the wide open receiver for the TD, Nebraska wins.

[@HwaiyR1]

Defensive coaches, and Defensive Playing calls lost us the game. The soft zone coverage on every single play with DBs playing 12 yards off their receivers before the snap was insane. We never sealed the Defensive edge. And we never Mike spied their QB. How come the coaching staff was too blind to see any of this ? The Penalties were selfish and beyond stupid. Huskers becoming the Deion CU Buffalo's of last year, believing their own media hype instead of just focusing on playing ball.

[@jerrysamulcek9757]

Line play reminded me of High School, poor high school.

[@idahohusker7655]

We obviously have a ways to go but are headed in the right direction. Seems like the defense was outplayed to me today. Illinois scored so easily and had such long plays at will that it seemed to me like we just got out coached. Coach Bielema has Nebraska number that’s for sure.

[@warnthepeople4417]

Yeah colorado could have won if they were the team they are now. You just got lucky. Yal are still the same team as last year

[@oldironsides4107]

The first game of the season where coach frost and Bobby diaconate didn’t gameplan and talk to the team.

[@toddhensley2204]

Officiating was horrible!

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

Naw don't cry now y'all beat Colorado y'all got baby mahomes. Colorado and Deion ain't shit all hype what da fuck is Nebraska and flunky mahomes

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

​@@warnthepeople4417lol flunky mahomes showed dat last night

[@larrybauer7250]

The team and the coach needs lots of praise

[@MrPioneerlight2011]

coach white did not have the defense ready for this.....

[@2528drevas]

We were sold a bill of goods. We are not playing "Championship football" and we won't this season. Tony White was outcoached, period. All those HC jobs that were expected to come his way? Not happening. Dylan continues to impress and the offense overall played well enough to win. Indiana is going to take a dump on this defense though, and the original predictions of 7.5 wins looks like the ceiling for this team.

[@shugabyr9508]

Wow! fans are so fickle...so quick to hate... They're not perfect, support through thick and thin... y'all amaze me.

[@gregorycampbell9386]

Tough loss tonight but im sure coach Rhule will rally the troops and have the guys ready to play and win next game. Just got a few loose ends to tie up.

[@stanwagner4788]

No 2nd half production... again. I was waiting for coach to pull the starters so the 2 & 3 can get more reps. It's obvious the ones are doing fine.

[@chdubs1]

Had chances. Td overturned into interception. Missed Fg. Overthrown wide open TE in end zone. Tough loss but didn’t play well either. A lot to work on but it’s tape to learn from. Raiola looked good. Illinois called great game throughout but especially in OT. Defense got tired

[@joannleichliter4308]

If the defense got tired, they need to be better conditioned and coached.

[@MarsAlamo]

Defense just couldn’t get off the field and we couldn’t establish a run game to give them time to rest and tire out their D

[@Drenchhh32]

Not a Nebraska fan but you guys are overreacting, coaching wasn’t a problem. Your teenage QB missed an go ahead TD on an overthrow & your back up kicker missed a go ahead kick. Not to mention the play that was a made on the ball on the end zone to intercept the touchdown. You guys will be fine. Also Your top CB Tommy hill who would have made a difference did not play.

[@timothygarland8380]

Great effort by Nebraska tonight definitely heading in right direction! Just seemed like Illinois played little better Great game by both teams.

[@melissawilliams6324]

They still lost make a big deal out of this loss like you did when Colorado lost🤔

[@FrankMartin-z1m]

Awful effort actually

[@mikeroth375]

Special teams are a PROBLEM!🤷‍♂️

[@nicholasanderson5666]

Yeah? Rhule has got to talk to Foley. Take off the rose tinted glasses, coach!

[@matthewflowers5139]

That deep play action pass on third and four was a terrible play call, especially if you know you have a back up kicker why not at least run the ball to be lined up in the middle or make it fourth and short and go for it

[@nickmcgoober5164]

That’s exactly what I said. I understand the mentality to go win the game, but in that moment I wanted to see them win it in a different way. Impose a “we’re better than you, you know we’re going to run it and we’re still going to get it” kind of attitude. You keep the clock going, and at worst have a 4th and short, gain that and you’re in full control of the game. I thought that playcall was trying to be too cute. Very similar to how the Eagles lost that MNF game, sometimes it doesn’t matter how perfect the play call is, there’s a “who wants it more” opportunity for your team to prove, and seal up a win.

[@idontmisscam6907]

In a way yes, but that play is one of those were if the throw is made (as it should have been) then everyone is saying what a smart play call it was to catch them off guard. Just didn’t execute

[@CalebAlbertson-c8f]

Ummm it was a good play call the Te was wide open in the end zone Dylan just has to get better at making that throw

[@JKJK-lw8rm]

@@idontmisscam6907 There was still 3 minutes left on the clock for Illinois if Nebraska DID have that touchdown. Defense would leak oil at that point. Great football teams would have milked the clock and scored a touchdown or field goal to win the game. The win was right there.

[@nickmcgoober5164]

@@idontmisscam6907 respectfully of course, I disagree. I hated the play regardless of how well it was scripted. Your options were to put all of your energy towards gaining a first there on potentially 2 runs, make the clock your friend and guarantee you have the final possession for at worst a FG try, even if they had completed that - the way the game had gone…they had plenty of time, and we seemingly couldn’t stop anything. At least I was not confident at all. But most importantly to me, it was the attitude between those two options. We WILL win this vs. we want to catch them off guard if you see what I mean.

[@michaeldalton8374]

This fan base just floors me! One game and it’s NC bound. Next game and it’s “replace the coach”/ “all is lost”/ questioning everything… Fickle much?

[@samp7019]

Real nebraska fans are not saying to fire anyone I personally think they may need to HIRE Bill Busch as an assistant dude is a great coach

[@oPt1k4L]

​@@toddhensley2204national championship

[@caseysimler]

It’s pathetic.

[@nicholasanderson5666]

@@toddhensley2204 reference to Rhule’s time with the Panthers. I’m assuming.

[@stephena5752]

What are you talking about and who are you? You don’t have any idea what you’re saying or who you are. You commented 8 hours ago. Must have been drunk on your Bud Light

[@mikem201]

Nebraska was out coached, plain and simple.

[@rondickinson3963]

Examples?

[@jasonroberts8408]

​@@rondickinson3963watch the game

[@stephena5752]

@@mikem201 I think Illinois is just better tbh.

[@tood6459]

The best and worst thing about Husker football is the fanbase.

[@MrMaideniac]

Bielema owns Nebraska in the B1G. You might sneak by him once like this team did last year or like Pelini did when he coached at Wisconsin, but he came back and gave the huskers a historic loss in the B1G championship game in an embarrassing historic blowout and came back and schooled Matt Rhule and company tonight. Nebraska has the better athletes, facilities, and support, but Illinois will win most every time on coaching.

[@samp7019]

Nebraska missed a field goal had Questionable TD taken away and reffs were missing blatant PI calls not to mention the late hit in OT not called. I'm not saying illinois didn't deserve the win they played great and are a very well coached Team. But seems the reffs had an agenda tonight.

[@MrMaideniac]

@@samp7019 if the refs had an agenda, then you have to buy into a conspiracy theory. Then you have to assume the B1G conference sees Illinois as a more valuable entity than they do Nebraska. If that’s the case, then why not just opt out and go to the Mac conference where we have a chance of a winning season.

[@oldironsides4107]

@@samp7019 yeah. That’s what happens in all of football games… You only count flawless performances or what?

[@joannleichliter4308]

​@@samp7019The refs did stink, but, frankly, a team needs to be prepared to beat the refs, which means limit stupid penalties.

[@stewprice7511]

Oh stop. Rhule is 1 - 1 against them.

[@nuzhinga]

The moment was too big for them boys.

[@1silverchad]

Thanks to our terrible defense something needs to effing change fast! That was unacceptable especially not making adjustments for second half!

[@larrybauer7250]

Even when they when people are not giving them enough praise

[@larrybauer7250]

They will come around

[@42papyrus]

Coach, you can't win by playing not to lose. How do you not know this???

[@JKJK-lw8rm]

Yep, didn't have a single 4th down attempt this game.

[@stephena5752]

Yes you can. Happens all the time actually .

[@stewprice7511]

At the end of the day, you play the odds. A 39-yarder is not insurmountable for any kicker but I do question the call because the angle was challenging as well.

[@prism8289]

@@JKJK-lw8rmask lasts years San Diego chargers coach who blew several games by going for it on 4th down. That is why he no longer has a job.

[@stephena5752]

@@stewprice7511 Exactly, you don't coach fly by night like they used to do before analytics. That's a good way to lose your job like Frost.

[@larrybauer7250]

Tom osborne took awhile to get the right people to win the big games he learned from bob divaney

[@larrybauer7250]

Even when they are winning people arent giving them enough praise

[@jordansocha6932]

Against an average-at-best Illinois defensive front seven here is how Nebraska’s o-line (under)performed: 48 net rushing yards on 33 attempts for an average of 1.5 yards per rush 0 rushing touchdowns 5 sacks allowed 7 tackles for loss allowed 2 penalties failed chance to finish a drive and score go-ahead points on their last drive of the fourth quarter when the game was tied -20 yards in overtime and Dylan Raiola was constantly under pressure but made many great plays that most qb’s can’t which prevented the o-line’s stats from being even worse. 1. Forget the refs; I’m sick of the o-line play! 2. We definitely got outcoached today and if you read my comments in videos leading up to this game I wrote, “This game will come down to coaching.” 3. The offensive line coach (Donovan Raiola) is the weakest link and the biggest area the team needs to improve upon. Been saying since the day he was hired that Donovan Raiola is terrible and needs to be let go. Donovan Raiola has been a coach longer than any of the other coaches on the staff and he clearly has the worst unit on the team. If Dylan Raiola transfers because his uncle can’t hack it (which I don’t think Dylan would do), then so be it. There are other qb’s that are good too and MUCH better offensive line coaches. Michigan won the National Championship last year because their defense was great and their offensive line could push top-tier teams (Alabama, Ohio State, Washington, etc.) around; not because of their qb.

[@larrybauer7250]

The fans neef to give the huskers praise

[@korwinbrown7232]

No pts again second half got out coached

[@kituwahband]

Tough loss Tough win...both teams played well. Bielema knows how to out coach NU, even going back to his Wiscy days

[@ThomasSmith-if5bp]

If if if we catch in end zone if we kick field goal we win Bummer for sure. But we will be back next week Riola played well. Illinois run D hurt us.

[@stephena5752]

Nice job Nebraska ! We support you. All these haters in the comments need to hit the gym and stop drinking beer. This is why I stopped watching sports for so long. The pathetic male fans that are wannabe athletes .

[@joedoe6444]

welcome to another 5-7 season for Nebraska...... someone has put a witch's hex on the team, plus the ref's union must have some old beef with Nebraska. ever since Pelini the refs have been so biased against the huskers, they have more bad calls against them (especially for targeting) and more "no" calls on the opposing teams. then add in all the late mistakes from the team and it just becomes hopeless.

[@HoundFHell-jj8jm]

This is what happens when you have two coaches to pick from, one of them is one of the best in college football and the other has never beat a top 25 program in college football and you pick the one that can't beat a top 25 program.

[@jordansocha6932]

The current best thing that could happen to Dylan Raiola is for Donovan Raiola to be fired and off his coattails.

[@jackurban894]

Too many mistakes/penalties on defense. The team gave up after the touchdown in overtime. You could see it in their reaction because it was the same play Illinois scored twice on in the game. This team is in for a long season. They don't learn from their mistakes and make adjustments. I still hold to my original prediction that Rhule will be gone as head coach after 4 years.

[@amnm12]

Anyone who blames the refs for this loss is coping. Defense and special teams yet again cost them another win. White’s defense was exposed last might and now the rest of the Big 10 knows how to beat Nebraska. Ball control, PA bootlegs and keeping raiola off the field.

[@FosterCovers]

The missed holding call on Nebraska in end zone kept them in the game longer....instead of 1st & goal at thee 1.... it ended up Nebraska ball.😊

[@MarsAlamo]

They were both tugging on T shirts. Only good no call to let them play

[@ChrstianTroy720]

3-3-5 needs to go

[@madtubedog]

Illinois almost covered the 43 over/under alone. Hot weather exposed 4th quarter/overtime conditioning and depth. NU -8 1/2... Please!

[@senorpimps4678]

Barney rubble outcoached this guy. We will always lose big games with frost and Rhule get used to it. I said it last year

[@slgainey08]

All the excuses, love and hugs for a loss :) but when it was the Buffs y'all were hot off the presses showing no mercy. We took the L with no excuses and kept it moving. The QB is good though

[@kippohara3070]

Stop hating on the players. We aren't going to win every game this season. We got a young qb who is going to be better than great. Our defense needs to fix some things they need to regroup. The officiating was one of the worst officiating I have seen in a long time. We are ok.

[@joedoe6444]

the missed field goal hurt, but with a backup kicker, well, sheep happens. then the last part of the game the QB looked like he was replaced with one of the Martinez boys, dropping the ball so often. i was really hoping that part of recent Nebraska history was behind the team. then every play in OT was just a disaster on both sides of the ball. someone needs to find the witch that hexed this team and make her happy again.....lol

[@Badmanbj]

I knew this team would get cracked eventually

[@markweir135]

Note to self, don't ever fecken say, "that's what the book says to do." Bullshit.

[@stephena5752]

Ok random person on internet. Put your application in or stfu

[@markweir135]

@stephena5752 piss off, mate. I get to express my opinion. Go back to drinking your Kool-Aid.

[@I.I.Finished]

I believe the offense showed up to play but the defense did not

[@d.bennett3924]

Not being able to establish a run game lost the game on top of no kicking game. Defense was on the field way too much.. 1 or 2 plays go differently they still win..

[@martindavis9930]

From Rule to Ghoul !

[@truckstopcowboytruckstopco5639]

Refs had a good game.....

[@DMVgoon-sv8gy]

Not so cocky now like he was after beating Colorado “They have good players but we have good defense “😂

[@stephena5752]

NU was never cocky. IL isn’t that great. Penalties killed Nebraska

[@DMVgoon-sv8gy]

@@stephena5752 who cares you lost at home

[@Brodymane]

@@stephena5752 this is wrong Illinois is one of the better defense in the country. Top 25 against pass and run. And top 10 in total team defense. Not that great huh? Another Nebraska fan talking out their ass

[@stephena5752]

@@Brodymanedefinitely not that great. Barely beat NU who isn’t good . Do the math genius

[@Brodymane]

@@stephena5752 do the math? lol pal Nebraska is top 5 in total defense you clown

[@brodyday3603]

Starting kicker wouldn’t have made it either

[@JamesGaspard-w5y]

Brian Toal

[@chaschas3199]

You should spend more time coaching, and less time crying to the officials. By the end of the game they must be so sick of hearing you whine and complain.-

[@joelniles3936]

Sighing 1-6.

[@danielwhipple9972]

He didn't give much credit to the Illini

[@NEODOMINATION]

2nd half and overtime was embarrasing and we can do better... illinois is a good team. GBR ☠️ ☠️ ☠️

[@markwest8960]

The officiating was horrible

[@thmmke6926]

We do not have the hog dawgs, where and when do we get the physical players 6/5 325 we need, ty should be small compared to his teammates, then we will be on right track,

[@TheKrumster]

Rebuilding takes time. Relax

Way to go coach runtlie. Another disappointing loss for NE - more to come.

[@r.d.4437]

Rhule ya should have spent less time yelling in the refs ears and more time yelling in your players ears dah!

[@royoneil3328]

Ridiculous penalties...too bad could have been a good year

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Over hyped Big Red..Great coach Bret B.... STRIKES AGAIN !!!!!!;

[@42papyrus]

Great coaching staff Sunday through Friday...maybe one of the best, but the bend-don't-break philosophy on gamedays is a losing philosophy. This game should not have been close. DOwdell is a bust...has he ever made a defender miss? Has he ever tried to make a defender miss? Give Dowdell's carries to Emmett Johnson and Nebraska wins by 14.

[@williamfreeman6935]

Agree to a point. In this particular game we needed a quicker, shifter rb to make guys miss. Dowdell is not that guy.

[@shaquaviousjackson4892]

But you didn't you lost! Effing loser

[@branmiguel6106]

LMAO, haha

[@jakewagoner]

We're getting out coached 2nd half adjustment wise dont know the answer for it...the officiating was terrible but you have to score 2 steps ahead and expect it ..did needed that one pretty bad & make a step up going to be up hill battle now rest of the way. Keep fighting & never stop ever.

[@sparkadventures3369]

We are just a bad team 5-7 herd we come then it’s out the door on other coach

[@laswart1]

2nd string kicker over your QB 1 get the f out of here I appreciate you dodgin the question

[@Brodymane]

Dylan’s already talking about the transfer portal 🙃

[@stephena5752]

No he’s not 😂

[@Brodymane]

@@stephena5752 I just talked to wandale and Adrian. He’s transferring

[@AK545Huskers]

Hell of a way to teach your players discipline Matt Frost

[@XxeffinbackStabrxX]

Chill 😂 we’re half way to a bowl game numb nuts

[@blakekingsbury9052]

​@@XxeffinbackStabrxX So you think that the defense who let an ILLINOIS QB throw for 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions as well as having a 27/31 completion rate is going to win 3 more games this season against Big Ten teams? Most of which are way better than Illinois? Iowa and Rutgers are the only teams left on our schedule with a poor QB, and they both have studs at RB.

[@mikef3896]

​@XxeffinbackStabrxX ya, and they only needed 1 more win last year with plenty of games to go. Didn't work out too well🤣. 5-7 season incoming

[@markland2837]

You got outcoached dude plain and simple ya the refs sucked i get it BUT YOU GOT OUT COACHED PERIOD!

[@mikeroth375]

Remember……chasing 3. We need to be better there!🤷‍♂️

[@TreyMoeKeishaJones]

Where are all the “good ole boys” who stay in Deion Sanders’s comments… yall ain’t got the same hate for his coaching?

[@korwinbrown7232]

Dline was abused

[@melissawilliams6324]

Where is the hate for the losers Nebraska like ya'll had for Colorado when they lost😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@coltonmajor2262]

Used Car Salesman

[@warnthepeople4417]

Yal need Shedeur and Travis

[@joannleichliter4308]

No thanks.

[@warnthepeople4417]

@@joannleichliter4308 4 - 8 Nebraska until you get shedeur

[@stephena5752]

We’d take Travis !

[@stephena5752]

@@warnthepeople4417obviously Raiola is better than Shedeur. It’s our line

[@warnthepeople4417]

@@stephena5752 your line? Lol do you know how bad colorados line is and yal only best us by 17 lol sheduer is clearly better

[@donkboys]

The big red lost because the laces on the ball weren’t right on that last field goal?, 1:45, boy, Coach Rhule is searching hard for excuses.

[@stephena5752]

He’s protecting his kicker .

[@Shawn-p4r]

Agreed what happened to defensive line?

[@jeffkottwitz1170]

We all know you didn't make enough plays... come on kamala don't give us word salad....

[@ericcase2057]

👎👎👎

[@winnerwinnerbuymedinner9425]

I hate this coach

[@keithraulinaitis4442]

Easy!! Yes, that was a frustrating ending! Thats a horrible take! I have the upmost respect for Rhule, where have you been the last 8 years!!?

[@stephena5752]

@@keithraulinaitis4442rhule is a damn good coach. Frost would have been scanning for chicks to talk to in OT.

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

Nebraska playing they conference now its getting to real the truth coming out

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

Pressure flunky mahomes you win

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

Illinois really could a done Nebraska how Nebraska beat Colorado Illinois had to many turn overs that allow flunky mahomes an NETRASKA to stay in the game early on

[@DwayneRobinson-le8mn]

Flunky mahomes

[@THEPOSSUMNUTS]

Disgusting. Penalties and turnovers. 5-7. Get a new coach

[@franklinrogers6388]

Colorado fan lol

[@liviscool402]

at least our coach and players don’t run their mouths and don’t disrespect others!

[@shaquaviousjackson4892]

​@liviscool402 you guys booed illinis injured players. Effing scumbags

[@shaquaviousjackson4892]

​@@liviscool402and prob bc you guys suck

[@keithraulinaitis4442]

Such a moron take. 🥴