Football Video & Report: Sept. 26

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule met with members of the media following Thursday’s practice. He spoke on the need for the team to learn how to win games and the challenge that Purdue presents.

“I think it’s just an ongoing process,” he said. “For me, right now, this week, we’re focused on us being really dialed in to all the different things Purdue does. They’ve really had two different offenses this year, so that adds a little bit of versatility to our preparation. We know (Devin) Mockobee is as good of a player as there is in the Big Ten. We know that (Hudson) Card is excellent, they have a really great o-line. I don’t know who their o-line coach is, but I love the way that they play. Defensively, they have a really difficult scheme and excellent players. They’re getting a few players back from being hurt. Special teams, they do a nice job. It’s going to be a tremendous battle and we’ll just have to try to make one more play than they make.”

Rhule talked about rep counts on the defensive side of the ball, along with weather conditions for Saturday.

“We play a lot of guys on the defensive front and the defensive line,” he said. “We play a lot of guys at linebacker, but maybe a few more guys in the secondary. A lot remains to be seen with what the weather conditions are going to be, but we’re expecting it to be wet and really windy. You know how hurricanes are, they can shift past. We’ll wait to see there. We felt really good about where Ceyair (Wright) was, but if the rep counts can be higher further down, that’d be great.”

He also discussed the importance of road games and coming off of a loss. 

“I think the improvement happens during the week. I think our guys had a great, great week of practice and preparation. That’s an honest evaluation from coaches, staff, everyone. I think you learn more about yourself when you go through some adversity than when you have success. The great ones, they don’t just bounce back. They bounce back and elevate. We’re looking to see ourselves bounce back and elevate. You’re never going to be a relevant team in the Big Ten if you can’t win on the road. You go into hostile environments, you travel, stay in a small hotel, guys are doubled up. It’s just different. It’s a part of the process – last week, I said learning how to win. Maybe I should change what I’m saying to learning to play championship-caliber football. Learning how to win at that level. I think part of that is going on the road and playing at the level you need to play to beat someone. I’ve been pleased with the week, we’ll see how we do the next two days leading up to the game and then at the game.”

The Huskers will face off against the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. (CT) in West Lafayette, Ind. The game will be streamed on Peacock, with radio coverage by the Huskers Radio Network.