Tad Stryker Says Nebraska Football’s OS Is Not OK After Illinois Loss
A stalled offense in Champaign
Nebraska’s forward progress stopped Friday night in Champaign, Illinois, with a 24-13 loss to Illinois. The defeat followed a fourth-quarter collapse against Washington and continued an uneven season for the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska ran more plays, held the ball longer and gained yards, but struggled to turn drives into points. The article attributes the failure to finish drives in part to an unreliable running game and criticizes offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s play-calling.
Fourth down draws criticism
With Nebraska trailing 14-7 and about three minutes left in the third quarter, the Huskers faced fourth-and-one at the Illinois 25-yard line. Holgorsen put Anthony Colandrea in a naked backfield and called for a pocket pass.
The decision became a focal point of criticism, with the article arguing that it reflected poorly on an offense already struggling to produce. It also questions why Holgorsen should remain in his role after the loss.
Pressure grows on Rhule
Nebraska is 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten under Matt Rhule. The article says the team is on course to finish with more conference losses than wins for a fourth straight season, while Nebraska fans would see a 10th consecutive year without a winning conference record.
The writer argues Rhule needed wins over Washington, Illinois and Rutgers to show clear progress. Instead, the loss to Illinois has left Nebraska sinking toward the lower division of the Big Ten and raised doubts about whether Rhule can lift the program beyond .500.
Concerns reach beyond football
The article warns that a continuing decline in football support could affect Nebraska’s athletic department finances, other sports and the planned Big Red Rebuild of Memorial Stadium. It predicts the sellout streak could end on November 21 against Ohio State, though that is presented as the writer’s expectation, not a confirmed outcome.
The piece also compares Rhule’s position to Bill Callahan’s late in the 2007 season, when Callahan retained defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. It says athletic director Troy Dannen faces scrutiny and argues that football’s struggles could threaten other programs under his stewardship.
Key points
- Nebraska fell 24-13 to Illinois and now stands 5-4 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten.
- The offense gained yards and controlled possession but again struggled to score.
- A fourth-and-one pass call late in the third quarter became a major point of criticism.
- The article warns that continued football struggles could weaken fan support and affect other Nebraska athletic programs.