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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Matt Rhule gave his honest assessment of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team after they suffered a fourth straight loss on Friday night, falling 24-13 to the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Despite his team taking an early 7-0 lead on a second-quarter touchdown and finishing with 426 yards of offense, Nebraska struggled to capitalize on other scoring opportunities. Rhule, who credited Illinois for how they played, was particularly critical of that aspect of his team's performance.
"I said to our guys, I think their coaches and staff, you know, they made the plays at crucial times, whether it be the fake field goal or the drive down eight to go down and get into field goal range. And, you know, our side, our coaches and players, we just didn't make that same play," he said.
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"So that's all of us on the same side; that's not any one person, that's us as the coaches and staff," Rhule said postgame. "Obviously we're disappointed, but we give a lot of credit to them; they made those plays."
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Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 32 of 43 passes and threw for one touchdown on a 98-yard drive. However, he couldn't connect with receivers for any further touchdowns after that second quarter.
Running back Mekhi Nelson scored Nebraska's only other points, a 15-yard run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. However, the team failed on a two-point conversion attempt.
Along with Nebraska's inability to capitalize on several other red zone trips, Rhule also pointed out two missed field goals contributing to his team's loss.
Cornhuskers kicker John Hohl missed on a 45-yard attempt, and then a 54-yard attempt at the end of the first half that might have given Nebraska momentum with a slight lead at halftime.
"You take the two missed field goals, you take getting the ball in the red zone and not getting touchdowns, you take penalties at tough times ... that's a recipe for tonight," Rhule said.
Despite a fourth straight loss, Rhule sent a strong message about what's next for him and the Cornhuskers.
"We're gonna get ready for next Saturday and go back," he said, continuing, "And I think that the only thing I can as the head coach in these moments, these exact moments, is not allow pity and all that stuff to creep in. I know how hard everyone works. I know guys are playing hurt. I know guys are banged up, but you come to Illinois on a short week; you want to win the game. You don't win the game; you go back, you regroup."
The loss to Illinois dropped Nebraska to 2-4 in the conference and 5-4 overall, with games looming on their schedule against Rutgers and ranked Big Ten foes Ohio State and Iowa.
"We have to make more plays, play a little better, coach a little bit better, and we have an opportunity to do that next week," Rhule said ahead of his team's next contest.
Nebraska next plays the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Rutgers is just 1-4 in the conference and 2-6 overall, giving the Cornhuskers a potential way to turn things around and possibly receive consideration for a bowl game.
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