Matt Rhule evaluates how Dana Holgorsen handled playcalling duties

Nebraska fell to USC 28-20 during Dana Holgorsen’s first game as Cornhuskers’ new offensive coordinator and play caller.

Despite the outcome, head coach Matt Rhule was encouraged by what he saw out of his offense. With bowl eligibility on the line during the final two weeks of the regular season, Rhule believes his offense is still improving as the year comes to a close.

“I just think we get better and better and better,” Rhule told reporters to begin game week vs. Wisconsin. “As I pointed out to the guys, there are no new plays. … I think Dana has done a really great job with coming in and telling the guys this is what we’re going to do and we’re going to practice them this way.

“We left a lot out there offensively. There weren’t a lot of big plays, there could’ve been more big plays. There were field goals in the red zone, not touchdowns. We had some opportunities for guys to score in the red zone, but we just didn’t make it happen. I’m encouraged by how much cleaner it looked, but also expect more. We’re going to have to score more points to win games.”

Rhule followed up, saying that Holgorsen prepared at a “really high level,” and expects the offense to keep trending positively under his leadership. Rhule said that he left Saturday’s game feeling “encouraged,” about the direction his offense is headed.

Overall, Holgorsen’s offense produced 310 yards of offense split between 191 passing and 119 rushing. Quarterback Dylan Raiola threw two interceptions during the contest as well. Still, Rhule was pleased with some of the shots the offense took down the field and spreading the ball around.

10 different receivers caught the ball against the Trojans as Nebraska scored 20 points for the first time since September.

They’ll look to pile on the scoreboard during Week 13 against the Badgers. Both teams sit at five wins heading into kickoff, which is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday live on the Big Ten Network.