<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AB1Um_0vQ8UKqJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AB1Um_0vQ8UKqJ00" width="1024" height="536" >Match that freshman's intensity.That's Matt Rhule's big challenge to many of his players on offense after a 28-10 Husker win over Colorado.That win wasn't some big highlight for the year him. "It wasn't vindication." Not when you think going into the game that your team can win 40-10, which Rhule did.And there was plenty he saw that needs improving on that offensive side of the ball."I told the offense a lot of them have to pick their intensity up to his level," Nebraska's head coach said during Monday's press conference of quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/dylan-raiola-46116332/">Dylan Raiola</a>. "Not the other way around. He's trying to throw the ball to guys who are supposed to be in certain places and they're not there. He's at a whole other level and those other guys better pick it up. That's said respectfully and with love."Rhule wanted to bring that up because he sometimes has been asked if NU didn't throw it as much as a freshman QB grows in his job. No, the coach said, it's because of everyone else who wasn't playing at the level he wants.There were too many free runners coming on missed blitz pickups, and because of it missed chances on some guys Rhule thinks were running open."We threw a lot of shots in that game. A lot of them just didn't get thrown because he had to run. We had no sacks because he's avoided guys," Rhule said. "Through two games Dylan has done everything you could want except he didn't milk the clock enough on the 2 minute last game. That's the main thing I had for him. He can be sometimes aggressive sometimes. That's me and him communicating. But Dylan's doing a great job."Rhule wants everyone else to understand that if a freshman knows all 120 plays in the game plan, then a junior better know those too.In the final drive of the first half against <a href="https://247sports.com/college/colorado/">Colorado</a>, Raiola was calling on specific plays that could work against what the Buffs were running."If he knows that from camp, everyone else better know that," the coach said. "That's what we have on defense. We have a level of accountability that's unmatched. That's where we're getting on offense right now. That's why I'm saying it out loud because we should have scored 42 or 50 points. We had some really selfish penalties … Selfish in a 'Ah man, I don't want to get beat, so I'm going to tackle this guy here' as opposed to just 'do your job, man and trust yourself.' So we still have some evolution on offense to do."One of those areas Rhule really felt was lacking was blocking on the perimeter."Yeah. The story offensively very simply is this: We were going out the first two drives … and scoring touchdowns, OK? We were playing great in the 2-minute … We can do more and do better. If we throw a bubble screen out there and get hit in the legs? Their receivers blocked us. So I think our receivers have to have a better week blocking."Rhule said the Huskers had eight penalties and about 160 yards and a touchdown lost when you add up what those flags took away.There were some problems in the second half that were also there in the first half, the coach felt.Raiola isn't the only freshman shining amidst that. Wide receiver <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jacory-Barney-Jr-46131528">Jacory Barney Jr.</a> had six catches for 29 yards and two rushes for 28 against CU but could've had way more, with some plays wiped out from penalties, including a 51-yarder that showed how dangerous he is in space."He loves to play. He's 160 pounds. That first jet sweep they light him up on the sideline, he gets up and does this thing (signaling a first down)," Rhule said of the Miami native. "And it's not, 'Look at me.' It's just joy. I love watching Jacory playing. You can't the ball enough to him in my mind."Rhule told the team this week guys are going to compete for touches.Talk scheme all you want, but as the coach added, "Get the ball to the guys who can make plays, and then the guys have to go make plays. Jacory makes plays."Rhule thinks he should've had a touchdown on the reverse if some guys had blocked better. Although even Raiola did that pretty well to the coach's eye. He credited the QB for blocking a blitzing corner after the handoff."Good players make plays. Dylan makes plays. Jacory makes plays."Freshman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Carter-Nelson-46132798">Carter Nelson's</a> role should continue to evolve too and "get way more involved" as the Husker move forward. He did play on special teams on Saturday."This was unique game for us, and that this was a game for the old guys … the older guys that went to Boulder," Rhule said. "We didn't dress everyone this week. All the guys that went out there last year, this was their game to go win."</div></body>

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Rhule challenges offense to match Raiola's intensity

Match that freshman's intensity. That's Matt Rhule's big challenge to many of his players on offense after a 28-10 Husker win over Colorado. That win wasn't some big highlight for the year him. \"It wasn't vindication.\" Not when you think going into the game that your team can win 40-10, which Rhule did.

Match that freshman's intensity. That's Matt Rhule's big challenge to many of his players on offense after a 28-10 Husker win over Colorado. That win wasn't some big highlight for the year him. "It wasn't vindication." Not when you think going into the game that your team can win 40-10, which Rhule did.

Rhule challenges offense to match Raiola's intensity

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