Losing to Illinois Was Necessary for Nebraska’s Future Development

By Rock Westfall

Now that head coach Matt Rhule , quarterback Dylan Raiola , the rest of the coaches, the team, and Husker Nation have had time to digest last Friday’s 31-24 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini, there are plenty of positives that came out of the defeat. This loss could be the catalyst for Nebraska's future growth, turning one step back into several steps forward.

Nebraska could have and perhaps should have defeated the Illini. The Big Red had Illinois on the ropes late in the 4 ^th quarter but failed to apply the dagger. Despite this, Nebraska certainly looks the part of a vastly improved team compared to one year ago, maybe even its most talented in over a decade. This loss does not diminish the team's potential but rather highlights the areas for specific improvements.

Against Illinois, Nebraska took too many shortcuts and was obviously not mentally prepared to face a tough, smart, and disciplined Illinois team . The good news is that despite its mistakes and lack of readiness, Nebraska had victory in its hands but failed to close the game, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in focus, discipline, and coaching.

Nebraska did not deserve to beat Illinois, and yet they nearly did. And that is a good thing. If Nebraska got away with a win over the Fighting Illini, the Huskers would not take self-improvement as seriously as they must now.

The loss was a tough lesson on focus, discipline, attention to detail, and in-game tactics. The entire team, including coaches, must take the rap for the loss. Yet the Huskers know they can be so much better than they were. The setback has provided valuable insights. Nebraska's determination to learn from this defeat should reassure Husker Nation of their commitment to future glory.

On Saturday, the Huskers hit the road for the first time this season. The Big Red will take on the Purdue Boilermakers, perhaps the worst team in the Big Ten Conference. This game is a crucial opportunity for Nebraska to redeem themselves and reclaim their status as a Top 25 team and Big Ten contender.

Now, Nebraska Will Take Personal Foul Stupidity Seriously

Former Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel loved to say that “Missouri is not on Missouri’s schedule.” Nebraska can take that wisdom to heart and embrace it.

In the loss to Illinois, Nebraska committed three personal fouls and a facemask penalty while totaling nine penalties for 89 yards in the game. The Huskers have been flagged 28 times in the 2024 season.

Sometimes, only a defeat can make players and coaches fully grasp such issues as laziness and excessive penalties that aid the other team. Had Nebraska not lost to Illinois, Rhule may not have had his player’s full attention. Now he does. And you rest assured Rhule will take full advantage of this “teachable moment.”

Nebraska Must Fully Commit to the Running Game

Matt Rhule had mixed feelings about offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield 's play-calling. Rhule would have liked Dante Dowdell to get more carries but conceded that Nebraska was having more success in the air against Illinois. At his Monday press conference, Rhule did not dwell on injuries to the offensive line, instead demanding increased production from the running game.

“I would’ve liked to have more carries,” said Rhule. “This was a game for me where I thought it was going to be 20 carries for Dante. I felt that he was going to be the hammer in this game. There’s really no way to trick that defense. You’re going to have to run the ball between tackles and there would be body blow runs, then you hopefully split one. I would have liked to see them get more involved in the offense, but it kind of became a throw game, and we were having success throwing the ball. I think we move forward and have players that can help us. We need to utilize.”

Because of the loss, Nebraska will take making an effective running game more seriously than if they got away with a win. The touted offensive line is capable of more than it showed and will be tasked with proving it.

Nebraska Needs to Make Kicking and Return Game Special

One big difference in the loss to Illinois was that Illinois had 60 yards worth of punt returns, including a 37-yarder, compared to zero for Nebraska. Additionally, John Hohl missed a 38-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter that could have iced the win for the Big Red.

Rhule has had bad luck with his kickers. Tristan Alvano was a celebrated in-state recruit considered to be the best kicker in Nebraska high school football history. Rhule was praised for the singing. And Hohl was rated as the top transfer kicker of 2024. A groin injury has plagued Alvano while Hohl earned solid reviews in summer camp before blowing his big chance on the national stage Friday night. While the snap and hold were not perfect, Rhule said at the Monday presser that he expects Nebraska to make clutch kicks.

“To go from not kicking to all of a sudden kicking the game-winner at Memorial Stadium with the whole world watching that’s a lot. To not get the perfect snap and the perfect hold, both those guys weren’t with us, even during spring football, really. I appreciate them going out there. That being said, you’re on the team. You’re a Nebraska Cornhusker. We have to make these plays.”

Special teams have again become a liability for the Big Red, and yet it is not for lack of effort. Rhule hired Ed Foley as special teams coordinator when he arrived in Lincoln, and there was marginal improvement in 2023 compared to the Scott Frost years of neglect. Improvement continued through the first three games of 2024 before a big step back against Illinois.

Additionally, Rhule has hired former Nebraska and NFL kicker Brett Maher to oversee the field goal kicking and assist with the special teams.

If anything will make Nebraska take the kicking game more seriously, the Illinois loss will do the trick.

The Blackshirts Eat Humble Pie

Defensive coordinator Tony White and his unit had their worst game since the blowout loss to Michigan last year. Nebraska was off-balance most of the night and committed major penalties that indicated they were lazy, entitled, and selfish.

The Huskers' loss to Illinois was a great reminder that they must fully prepare and focus with attention to detail and discipline. There may have been a sense of the defense admiring its press clippings. That is no longer the case, and that is a good thing.

“The thing that’s hurting us a little bit is that even when we’re stopping them, it’s long drives”, said Rhule. “It’s time of possession. It’s flipping the field. We’re strong with the ball at our 10, 15 yard line. We’d like to defer. We’d like to kick off. We’d like to make you go three and get to go on a good field position and play tilted on the field. If we are giving up an eight play or 10 play drive, when we can just make a play and get off the field. I think overall, I don’t think any of us are really satisfied with Friday night.”

Nebraska has a good defense that is an asset. Friday’s loss will make them a tighter unit.

The Future is Now - Don't Lose to Illinois Twice

Nebraska has the perfect opportunity to make things right against a vastly inferior Purdue team. The Huskers learned that they were not a great team by losing the way they did to Illinois, yet they most certainly could have won.

The takeaway is that Nebraska was able to fully control everything that went wrong against the Fighting Illini. They were not overmatched, rather, they self-destructed. Assuming Rhule leads a massive cleanup this week at practice, the loss to Illinois may prove to be the best thing that happened to the Big Red in 2024. Saturday provides the opportunity to quickly change the narrative.

Nebraska is good and improving. Expect the Big Red to make a statement on Saturday.