Nebraska coach Matt Rhule appealed for composure around the program Monday as frustration mounted over another loss after a late lead. He backed his players and assistant coaches while saying his 13-year-old daughter had reported being verbally confronted by a man at the stadium following Saturday's defeat to Washington.
The Cornhuskers lost 17-10 at home, leaving them 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten ahead of Friday night's trip to Illinois. Nebraska has now lost three straight games in which it held a lead deep into the fourth quarter, with defeats against Indiana and Oregon preceding the Washington game. Illinois enters the matchup at 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
Against Washington, Nebraska was ahead 7-3 with fewer than two minutes remaining. The Huskies kept their drive alive by converting a fourth-and-18, then scored the go-ahead touchdown two plays later. Anthony Colandrea subsequently threw his third interception of the game, which Washington returned for a touchdown to secure the victory.
Some fans responded to the interception by throwing trash onto the field. Rhule said his daughter later told him that a man at the stadium had directed profanity at both her and her father. He made clear that the effect of coaching on his children mattered, saying, "I'm not going to keep coaching if it means my kids grow up screwed up."
Rhule said his wife, Julie, had asked their children whether the pressures associated with his prominent coaching role had become too difficult. His 10-year-old daughter responded with a text expressing her love for the team, its players and life in Nebraska. According to Rhule, she also told him she was tough enough to cope.
Opening his weekly news conference with an extended statement for the second consecutive week, Rhule said he intended to continue working through the team's difficulties. "I'm not leaving, I'm not quitting," he said. He described players, coaches, staff members and supporters as sharing a boat in rough water, urging them to remain steady and concentrate on preparing for Illinois.
Rhule also rejected calls to dismiss offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who drew criticism for moving away from the running game while Colandrea attempted 44 passes against Washington. Rhule praised Holgorsen's offensive ability. He also credited Nebraska's defense for controlling lengthy stretches of Saturday's game, while expressing disappointment that it produced no takeaways.
Rhule said his commitment extended to donors, supporters who spend their earnings attending games and the people who welcomed him at the Elbow Room in Johnston, Nebraska. He distinguished those supporters from anyone targeting his family or throwing objects at Colandrea. For the Illinois game, he said Nebraska needed to focus on its preparation and, if another close finish followed, make the additional play required to win.
