Nebraska is 5-2 in the season and has lost two key games against Michigan and Minnesota. The problems look to be all over, right from Dylan Raiola throwing those interceptions to the rushing game solely focused on Emmett Johnson. The only thing acting as a silver lining is the team’s defense, currently ranked 13th nationally in total defense. But if you ask Matt Rhule, one key defensive lapse became the major factor in the team’s loss against Minnesota.

Minnesota was never expected to beat Nebraska, and that too in a dominant 24-6. For one, the passing offense of the team sits 82nd nationally. Whereas the rushing offense is 108th nationally. However, when the Golden Gophers hosted Nebraska this weekend, everything clicked. The offense went off for 153 passing yards and 186 rushing yards. They also limited Nebraska’s rushing game to just 36 yards. Nebraska, on the other hand, struggled throughout.

Matt Rhule, in a recent press conference, talked about how the secondary and the D line couldn’t execute basic tackles. The head coach took the blame himself, but also called for some responsibility from the players. “I’ll do a great job of standing here and trying to be a leader and say I own it. But I’m sitting in that room just on the same page, telling our players they have to own it. Like you don’t get to just leave your feet and dive at people’s ankles and think things good things are going to happen, right?” said Matt Rhule. The head coach then described how the poor tackling enabled explosive plays for Minnesota.

The head coach recalled how the team had practiced on the “tackle circuit every day” till the last day of practice. Despite that, the players couldn’t execute the game plan and gave away big plays. For instance, the 71-yard run by Darius Taylor in the second quarter or the 26-yard run again by Taylor in the fourth quarter.

“Run your feet, strike, get off blocks, make tackles like what we get beat on outside zone into the boundary 4×1 outside zone, and they hit a 71-yard touchdown on 4×1 outside zone at some point. So, I will take ownership of it, but I’m looking for some players who want to take ownership of it, cuz at the end of the day, that wasn’t good enough. And that’s everybody… It surely rests on me, but like we’re doing the drills, we’re doing the tackling drills, we’re doing those things,” said Matt Rhule.

Without some decent tackling performances, Darius Taylor, Minnesota’s ace RB, ran riot over the Cornhuskers. He rushed for a whopping 148 yards and also scored a touchdown. In total, Minnesota scored two touchdowns through the ground game, while another TD came from Drake Lindsey’s pass to Le’Meke Brockington. Something surely needs to change for Nebraska, and it needs to happen fast to keep their season alive. For that, Matt Rhule does have a plan.

Rhule lays out the basics for his defense as Raiola relays frustration

It’s not like Nebraska’s defense was disappointing throughout the season. The team is still 13th nationally in total defense, giving away just 279.3 yards per game. The problem, however, lies in stopping the run game. Matt Rhule’s team is 87th nationally against rushing offense, and has given 156.29 yards per game. Owing to that, even a team like Minnesota cruised easily past the scarlet and cream jerseys. That said, Matt Rhule has an action plan, and it all starts with the mindset.

“You’ve got to bring it to the game.  I’m just constantly trying to teach our players, nothing’s happening to you. You’re not getting sacked. You’re giving up sacks. You’re not missing tackles. We’re not making the tackles. So, we have good players. They’ve shown that they can do it. Go do it. That’s the growth in this team that has to happen this week,” announced Matt Rhule. Nebraska undoubtedly has the players to turn around from the woes. Even Dylan Raiola looked frustrated after the blowout loss, despite having a decent outing.

“You put so much work in all offseason and all week to get ready for this type of game, and it’s unfortunate. I mean, we were sitting in the same spot last year, and we got the same results. So I’m very frustrated right now, and it sucks…six points is pretty brutal, and I’ll take that one. I’ll take all the blame, I’ll take all the hate. That’s fine, that’s part of my job, and that’s why I’m here,” said Raiola. The verdict?

It should start with the veterans leading the pack. So, players like Javin Wright, who had 34 tackles last year and has a 6’5″ and 230 lbs frame, can rally the team. Other veteran players like Dasan McCullough and Elijah Jeudy have the experience to lead from the front and make players like Keona Davis perform better. If things go according to plan, Nebraska should come out strong against Northwestern this week.