Football Video & Report: Nov. 26

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule met with members of the media ahead of Friday’s game against Iowa. He discussed the short week.

“It’s been great. They all know the challenges ahead. They worked hard all week. Worked hard just now. They’ll come back in tomorrow morning and do it again. Proud of the group.”

Rhule also spoke on TJ Lateef getting his first start at home and his poise.

“Playing quarterback on the road is difficult. Crowd noise, communication, all those different things. New venue and trying to figure out where the play clocks are. It’s always a challenge. I think he’s done a nice job of that. Obviously, coming home, he doesn’t have to deal with all of those things. I know he’s excited to play against a great, great defense. I think Dana (Holgorsen) is putting together a plan for him that will allow him to play really well. He’s been poised since the day that he got here. He’s never been a distraction. It’s never been about him. It’s always about the team. Credit goes to his parents and goes to his high school coaches. He came in here really well prepared. Since the moment he stepped on the field against USC till now, he’s tried to execute. He just keeps it very simple. I’m excited to see him play.”

He talked about NU’s defense against the run.

“We have to get off blocks and tackle. As silly as that sounds there haven’t been very many times where runs popped against us where we haven’t had someone there. We’re going to have to get off blocks and tackle and do it relentlessly for four quarters. There is no secret. You have to read your keys, get off blocks, and tackle.”

Rhule also discussed the special teams’ improvements. 

“When you play Iowa, you know it’s going to be a field position game. Special teams can really help you in two ways. You can hope it can help you with field position and then you hope it can help you in terms of creating explosive plays and eliminating them. If you go back to the last few years we’ve played them, we fumbled a punt against them, so we’ve given them the ball inside the ten yard line twice. Two years ago we were able to block the kid. Last year we held them to a field goal. The key to me is eliminating those negative plays and try to create some of those explosive plays. At the same time, just the field position battle. They do it as well as anybody. We’ve made tremendous improvement in that area. We’ll have to do that on Friday, against at the end of the day two of the best returners in college football. I think Jacory (Barney Jr) deserves to be in that conversation as well. Their returners are some of the best I’ve ever seen. It’ll be a great battle. We’ve made a lot of improvement in that area. We didn’t do that last week. Our special teams last week was not where they needed to be. I know the guys were fired up and excited to test themselves against who we feel is the best special teams unit over the last 20 some years. So, it’ll be a great battle.”

Kickoff between the Huskers and Hawkeyes on Friday, Nov. 28, is set for 11 a.m. (CT) and will be televised on CBS. The game can also be heard on Huskers Radio Network.