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The Nebraska Cornhuskers and head coach Matt Rhule appear to have officially entered panic mode.
After a 5-1 start to the season, the Huskers have lost three straight games to drop to 5-4 after their offense is among the worst in the country. Nebraska ranks 99th in scoring at 23.6 points per game, 115th in yards per play at 4.8, and 96th in total yards per game at 343.9.
Now Rhule is calling in the big guns. He announced Monday that former West Virginia and Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen will take over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield. Nebraska added Holgorsen to its staff just six days ago.
“It’s unique, but it’s probably what’s needed. It’s the right thing,” Rhule said of the move.
Holgorsen, who is noted for his air raid offense, led Houston to a 12-2 record in 2021, but he was fired after a 4-8 season two years later and had just a 31-28 career record with the Cougars.
“He’s got a long history of success offensively, both as a head coach, but certainly as a coordinator before that,” Rhule said of the move. “He just kind of gives of a fresh perspective of looking at what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with and was able to say ‘hey, let’s go in these directions over here.’ I just think it gives us an opportunity to have one of the great, great offensive minds.”
Holgorsen’s first and most important job involves freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola signed with the Huskers over powerhouse programs such as Georgia and Ohio State. He had success early in helping Nebraska to its strong start to the season. But recent weeks have been a challenge.
In Nebraska’s last three losses, Raiola has thrown for just 187.7 yards per game. He has only one touchdown pass in that span and five interceptions.
Rhule claims the Holgosen move is about the present, not the future. But Raiola is the future for Nebraska. If he’s not playing well, the Huskers likely aren’t winning games. And if they’re not winning games, Rhule likely won’t stay employed much longer.