Matt Rhule unpacks why he got flagged, team’s penalty issues

“I thought it was a ridiculous call,” Fidone said. “I didn’t touch the guy.”

In fact, Fidone said, he “literally jumped” away from a Purdue defender to make sure he wasn’t called for physically impeding the Boilermaker’s path to cover Rahmir Johnson. Peacock replays showed the same.

Nevertheless, NU got assessed the penalty — 1 of 11 flags on the Huskers — and coach Matt Rhule argued vociferously with the officials about it. Later on Saturday, after the Huskers had opened up a double-digit lead, Rhule got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from the officials.

“I threw my headset,” Rhule said of why he was assessed the flag. He thought he could do so if he stood on the “white” of the sideline. “The referee said I looked at him, so he knew I was upset. He didn’t throw the flag so, obviously, I was just mad.”

While Rhule declined to “complain about officials” he noted Nebraska “had a tough go of it” in its 31-24 loss to Illinois.

“Here’s what I know: Someone’s going to have to start to fight for Nebraska,” Rhule said. “I’m here to fight for Nebraska.”

So will NU Athletic Director Troy Dannen, Rhule said.

“I wanted the fellas to see me out there fighting for them today,” said Rhule, who picked up his “third penalty ever” — one in the NFL and two in college.

Still, Rhule said, he “felt bad” for getting the penalty, which put the Huskers in a 2nd-and-29 situation while leading 14-3. A screen pass to Emmett Johnson, followed by a facemask penalty on Purdue — flagged 13 times for 165 yards in total — more than made up for the lost yardage.

“Emmett went ahead and made me right,” Rhule said. “So I felt bad, I don’t want to affect the game in that regard. Penalties are penalties but we’re not an undisciplined team. We’re doing things right, we’re doing high-level things, and we’re getting called. I’m going to stand up for it. But that’s a hard job — I can’t imagine how hard it is.”