Matt Rhule shares what he’s telling Nebraska specialists

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said Thursday the kicking operation has been smooth in the days after two low snaps led to a pair of blocked field goals and the unit misfired on another try from 42 yards last weekend. That includes kicker John Hohl — still getting the work with Tristan Alvano recovering from a groin injury — holder Brian Buschini and long snapper Camden Witucki, who took over for Aidan Flege during the game at Purdue.

“It’s looked great in practice,” Rhule said. “But it’s one of those deals like, ‘We want to see what it looks like in the game,’ right?”

Rhule has empathy for the group and has told the players so, citing his 11-27 record as coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers that had him under intense fan criticism on and off the field. In hindsight, he said, it prepared him for his time at Nebraska.

Don’t just get through these tough times, Rhule advised. Embrace them. Take something from them.

“That feeling where you have a bad game and you walk in and you almost feel embarrassed to see people?” Rhule said. “None of that. We’re not doing that. Because I know what that feels like.”

Hohl, Rhule said, is as talented a kicker as Nebraska could hope to have. He just needs to do it in a live setting and get help from everyone else, from the protection to the snap to the hold. Buschini, who is also the punter, has taken ownership of the specialists and shared his own struggles from an up-and-down last season that has given way to more consistent performances now.

“How it looks in the game, I don’t know,” Rhule said. “I believe in (Hohl) and I believe at some point it’s all going to come together. I sure hope it’s this Saturday but I do appreciate what he’s going through.”