Matt Rhule details challenges in Nebraska kicking game

Following a scrimmage during his first Fall Camp as the head coach at Nebraska, Matt Rhule noted that the special teams struggled. In particular, the field goal kicking was an issue for the Cornhuskers.

As Rhule explained, the wind was a factor but the kickers still need to make their kicks at a higher percentage.

“Yeah, missing field goals today,” Matt Rhule said. “Little wind out there and just didn’t knock it through the way I’d like us to. So, I have to go back to the tape.”

Rhule also pointed out that the rest of the special teams unit was solid. It’s just going to be important to sort out the field goal kicking.

“Protection was good. We did some kickoffs. We did some punts. Those were all good. Obviously, we’re gonna be in the types of games where field goals are gonna matter, and that was not at the level of percentage probably that we wanted to be at today.”

During the Scott Frost era at Nebraska, an inability to figure things out on special teams and consistently losing one-score games went hand in hand. Ultimately, it was a major reason why the Frost era came to an end. In 2021 and 2022 combined, Nebraska was just 2-13 in 15 one-score games. Five of those games were decided by a field goal or less.

In Matt Rhule’s first season, Nebraska is likely to play in several close games again. Figuring out the special teams unit ahead of the season is going to be incredibly important to improving this season.

Matt Rhule explains the key for young players to adjust

In his first season at Nebraska, Matt Rhule will likely become reliant on younger players. To get them ready, Rhule knows he has a lot of work to do. That starts by building a young player’s confidence.

“It’s just learning, knowing what to do, and then confidence. It’s just confidence. Billy Kemp is one of the most confident players I’ve ever been around because he’s kind of wired that way and he’s got pelts on the wall. He’s made a lot of plays,” Rhule said.

“Those young players are really, really talented, fast, and explosive. It’s just going to take some time. Nobody’s faster than Brice Turner. Jeremiah [Charles] was back out there today, been injured. We have guys to play and that can play. It’s just they’re going to have to play with confidence. That’s why we practice the way we do.”