Rhule Stands by Colandrea After Nebraska's 20-17 Loss to Indiana

Key points

• Nebraska lost 20-17 to No. 7 Indiana, squandering an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.
• Coach Matt Rhule cited analytics for his decision to attempt a fourth-and-nine conversion, which failed but was supported by his confidence in Anthony Colandrea.
• Rhule acknowledged special teams struggles, including a missed 40-yard field goal, but plans to rely on offense if practice performance improves.
• The team is adjusting to a 10:00 PM CT kickoff against Oregon by shifting practice times and sleep schedules to combat circadian rhythm issues.
• Colandrea carried the ball 17 times for 47 yards and a touchdown in the loss, and Rhule emphasized letting him play to his full ability despite injury risks.

Background

This loss drops Nebraska to 5-1, ending a 30-game losing streak against ranked teams that began in 2016. The Huskers had previously defeated Maryland 48-23 to reach a 5-0 start, their first since 2016. The upcoming game against Oregon is the latest kickoff time Rhule has ever coached, requiring significant logistical adjustments.

How outlets are covering it

The primary source, Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, focuses on Rhule's emotional and strategic defense of his decisions, highlighting his 'ride or die' support for Colandrea and the team's mental preparation for the Oregon game. The secondary source, huskers.com, provides the official schedule and confirms the 10:00 PM CT kickoff time for the Oregon game, but offers no additional analysis or quotes. There is no disagreement between the sources, as the secondary source is purely informational.

Why it matters

The loss to Indiana highlights Nebraska's struggle to close out games against elite opponents, despite strong performances for 55 minutes. Rhule's commitment to Colandrea and his unconventional preparation for the Oregon game signal a focus on maximizing player potential and adapting to logistical challenges, which could impact the team's success in the latter half of the season.

What to watch

Nebraska will face Oregon on October 17 at 10:00 PM CT at Autzen Stadium. The team is currently adjusting its practice and sleep schedules to prepare for the late-night game. Rhule will decide on his special teams strategy based on the week's practice performance, while Colandrea is expected to continue playing a full role despite injury concerns.