Rhule Previews Saturday’s Spring Game

Football
4/20/2023 5:30:00 PM

NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule addressed members of the media following Thursday afternoon’s final practice before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday. 

Rhule previewed the format of the spring game, highlighting that it will be a true competition. 

“We are playing a traditional game (with) a couple modifications,” he said. “You’ll see some different things on special teams, a couple different ways that we’ll do some things that I won’t get into now because I want to surprise everybody. 

“The quarterbacks will be live. We’re just going to play a game. We’re trying to learn how to win. There’s an ebb and flow to a football game that I think is really important as you react to the situations, so we’re going to play it out.” 

The game will be played with 15-minute quarters using the NFL timing model, which means the clock will continue to run even after first downs except at the end of each half. Although in the past, Rhule’s teams have played less physical spring games, he emphasized the importance of having the quarterbacks play live this Saturday. 

“I need to figure out which quarterback or how many of the quarterbacks can go move us in the fall,” he said. “The defense needs to figure out if they can tackle a mobile quarterback.”

Rhule said the team will be running its normal offense and defense on Saturday.

“We’re going to run our plays. We’re going to run our plays on offense and defense,” he said. “I certainly understand maybe we can surprise Minnesota with something, but we’ve got to get good at playing football so were going to go play and do what we do and see who plays well.” 

Although the head coach is aware that Saturday will be a spectacle, he doesn’t want his players getting too caught up in the moment. 

“This is a workday for us. I’ve said it a bunch of times, we’re a 4-8 football team. We have to earn the right to even talk about winning,” he said. “So, games are lost in the fourth quarter. Games are lost with turnovers, so all I want to see on Saturday is a team that’s in the moment. There’s going to be a ton of people in the stands, I’m very grateful for that. Give them something to cheer about with our play.” 

Rhule expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for Nebraska fans, saying he is excited to show the state the work the team has put in this spring.  

“I’m just very, very grateful to be in this position and to be here,” he said. “I only hope that my work honors the people that come.

“I know that the fans are going to show up next year no matter what. And that scares me, that drives me because I want to do my part. They’re going to do their part. The fans have been doing their part here for a long time. So, I started off the spring by saying thank you for that, but I want to do my part and I want our team to do our part. I want to make people excited about the way that we play.” 

The Huskers will take the field on Saturday for the annual Red-White Spring Game presented by FNBO. The scrimmage is set for April 22, at 1 p.m. (CT). Tickets for the Spring Game can be purchased on Huskers.com or by calling 1-800-8-BIG RED.