Matt Rhule revisits Shedeur Sanders’ accusations of disrespecting Colorado

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule tries to treat the preparation of every game the same so it made sense on Monday that he played down the rivalry angle between the Huskers and Colorado on Saturday night.

“We played them last year and fumbled the ball five times, so what speech matters?” Rhule said of NU’s 36-14 loss to CU in 2023. “I have an idea: Don’t turn the ball over. Or make a better decision here … I’m an incrementalist, I don’t look at these major things.”

So he’s going to wear black this week — he did on Monday. And he’s not going to hesitate to say the team name or the names of coach Deion Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

“It’s two teams that have plans on being good teams and want to be relevant at the end of the year,” Rhule said. “They’re going to play us, we’re going to play them. And, like, we’re not even in the same conference. So while I know it matters to people — it matters to us and it matters to them, we’re going to see where we are. We’re just trying to get the football right.”

And CU has, Rhule said, some pretty good football players, starting with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 445 yards last week and 393 last year against the Huskers.

“He’s got a big-time arm,” Rhule said. “He can use all 53 1/3 yards of the field, right? He can throw the ball sideline to sideline. He’s got a great feel for the pocket.”

Rhule also praised CU’s defensive front for its strength and athleticism, and the Buffaloes’ receivers for the speed and quickness.

He has not heard from Deion or Shedeur following Shedeur’s accusations last season that Rhule and Nebraska were attempting to disrespect the midfield Buffalo logo before the game and Rhule threw shade at Deion before the season. Rhule denied those accusations two days after Shedeur made them.

“I don’t take anything (personally),” Rhule said. “Everybody’s got their own things to do. I’ve got love in my heart and a lot of respect for what they’re doing. Nothing will bother me. At the end of the day, if Shedeur thought I disrespected his father, he’s standing up for him. Good for him. My son would stand up for me.”