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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Matt Rhule fired his offensive coordinator Saturday.
Two days later, the Nebraska coach announced that defensive coordinator Rob Aurich had signed a two-year extension, according to Hail Varsity.
The Huskers have lost four-straight, but Rhule has seen enough in Aurich’s first season to keep him in charge of the Blackshirts.
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Nebraska’s loss to Washington helps explain both the appeal of keeping Aurich and the work ahead of him.
His defense held the Huskies to 32 rushing yards and 267 yards overall. Nebraska led 7-3 late in the fourth quarter. Then Washington scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes to leave Lincoln with a win.
On the go-ahead touchdown, Nebraska sent cornerback Andrew Marshall on a blitz, and Washington found the receiver he otherwise would have covered.
Rhule said he had suggested the call. Aurich took responsibility for dialing it up.
“It was a suggestion conversation that we had, but ultimately that’s my call,” Aurich said last week.
Through eight games, Nebraska ranked eighth nationally in total defense at 270.8 yards per game. The Huskers had allowed 11 touchdowns on defense, but six came in the fourth quarter.
Aurich arrived from San Diego State, where his 2025 defense recorded three shutouts and held eight regular-season opponents to 10 points or fewer.
The offense gave Rhule a different decision to make.
Nebraska scored at least 31 points in each game of its 5-0 start and no more than 17 in any of the four losses that followed. Friday’s 24-13 defeat at Illinois was particularly costly.
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The Huskers gained 426 yards, and quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw for a season-high 284. Although these numbers are impressive, the Huskers managed only two touchdowns. Rhule dismissed offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen the next day and handed play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas.
Thomas will call his first game in the new role Saturday at Rutgers.
Nebraska still needs a sixth win for bowl eligibility, with Ohio State and Iowa to follow.
A month ago, the Huskers had four chances to get that win before they ever had to make the trip to Piscataway. Now they have three games left to get one.
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