McKewon: Nebraska knows this pain well, and now so does Matt Rhule. But Rome wasn’t built in a day
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MINNEAPOLIS — The sun set over one of the Twin Cities, a Big Ten brawl of big hits and misfires broke out and Nebraska, so often on the uglier end of these car crash games, seemed poised to play its usual role — especially after a disastrous interception to end the first half.
Until the second half kickoff. And a ball that bounced up into a quarterback’s hands instead of away from it. And a safety stepped in front of a weak pass. And a running back broke a tackle, and the quarterback, used like a single wing, broke a few more. With less than five minutes left, it smelled like victory.
Until a fumble. And a facemask penalty. And a fourth down Minnesota touchdown pass in which a receiver dragged his foot by a few inches. And the interception with a minute left. And a game-winning Gopher field goal for a 13-10 loss that felt so familiar.
It’s a painful pendulum Husker football knows well — and coach Matt Rhule got to experience it up close and personal. The penalties. The miscues. The fourth, fifth and sixth levels of hell that has become this program’s relationship with one-score games.
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Now Rhule knows. Rome wasn’t built in day. His tenure at Nebraska won’t be either. And he may have a dilemma at quarterback on his hands, too. Jeff Sims threw three interceptions. One into the opposing end zone. One when, at the very worst, Nebraska seemed headed for overtime.
“We need to go win that game,” Rhule said, while acknowledging the team did some good things. “…I was prepared to go into overtime. This was a first step for Jeff.”
NU’s end to the first half — two burned timeouts, a false start just before Sims sneaked into the end zone, an interception thrown on the very next play when Sims could have easily tossed a touchdown to tight end Nate Boerkircher — recalled the disasters of seasons past, including those inside Huntington Bank Stadium. Sims’ failed attempt to thread a pass to Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda in the back of the end zone recalled the Jaquez Yant slip from two years ago. NU trailed 3-0 at half. It wasn’t pretty.
Rahmir Johnson’s 63-yard kickoff return to open the second half looked a lot better. Johnson initially ran to his left, planted hard and bolted to his right, outrunning the first wave of Minnesota’s kickoff coverage. He got tackled inside the Gophers’ 40.
Two plays later, a trick play to forget and remember. Rhule said he called it “Osborne” because coaching legend Tom Osborne loves trick plays.
Sims tossed the ball to running back Anthony Grant, who turned and threw to back to Sims. The ball went backward, but ahead of Sims’ grasp. The pigskin bounced once, then twice, until Sims reached out for the ball, gathered it and threw to a wide-open Alex Bullock for a 34-yard score. The first touchdown of the Rhule era may be the oddest of the season, and it gave NU a 7-3 lead less than a minute into the third quarter.
Husker safety Omar Brown intercepted UM quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis inside the Gopher 20. NU turned that into a 13-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. The Huskers led 10-3 heading into the game’s final five minutes.
That’s when Anthony Grant — who had fumble issues in camp — coughed up another one.
“We know that Anthony can make a ton of plays,” Rhule said. “He has to hold on to the football.”
Rhule said it was running backs coach EJ Barthel’s call on who to play in that circumstance. Grant played as much as starter Gabe Ervin, who was the clear No. 1 just two weeks ago.
Kaliakmanis led Minnesota to a touchdown when his fourth-and-10 pass found the arms of a Gopher receiver. Rhule said the defense was “dominant” at times but couldn’t get a late stop when it mattered most.
NU reached the 50 on its subsequent drive when Sims threw the interception. Rhule credited Marcus Satterfield with good playcalls, but wanted Sims to do a better job of avoiding pressure and running when the Gophers played man defense gave him an opportunity.
Rhule looked at all the mistakes and miscues in this light: Despite them, Nebraska had a chance to win.
“We needed to play this game,” Rhule said. “We needed to figure it out.”
Nebraska will get better, Rhule said. He didn’t envision the turnovers, but he knew the game would be challenge.
“It’s my job – and our job – to show the guys ‘the plays are here,’” Rhule said.
Photos: Nebraska football takes on Minnesota in 2023 season opener
Nebraska’s John Bullock (5) walks off the field following the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Minnesota won the game 13-10.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (23) fumbles the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Minnesota won the game 13-10.
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Nebraska’s Cameron Lenhardt (11) and others react after the Minnesota filed goal to win the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Minnesota won the game 13-10.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) calls out to his team in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Minnesota’s Tre’Von Jones (2) makes a catch that was intended for Nebraska’s Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (82) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) chases after Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis (8) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs with the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) celebrates a missed field goal attempt by Minnesota in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) runs with the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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The Nebraska defense takes down Minnesota’s Bryce Williams (21) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walks on the field for the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Marcus Washington (13) on the sideline in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis (8) passes the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on the sideline during the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) passes the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) finds a hole to run through in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (21) gets caught between Minnesota defense in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates a play in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (4) brings down Minnesota’s Quentin Redding (81) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Fans watch the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis (8) looks to pass the ball in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano (30) kicks off to start the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) can’t reach the goal line a penalty is called in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Herbie Husker and cheerleaders before the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (4) looks back to the sideline after a tackle in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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A missed field goal attempt by Minnesota’s Dragan Kesich (99) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Ben Scott (66) plays center in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (8) and Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) bring down Minnesota’s Daniel Jackson (9) in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor (42) celebrates a play in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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The Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) can’t reach the goal line in the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule sneaks through his players before warm ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule sneaks through his players before warm ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) takes the field for warm ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s MJ Sherman (48) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Elijah Jeudy (16) looks toward the stands ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska quarterbacks Jeff Sims (7), Heinrich Haarberg (10), Chubba Purdy (12) and Luke Longval (19) warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano (30) and Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (18) warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska special teams coordinator Ed Foley ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Billy Kemp IV (1) takes the field for warm ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Turner Corcoran (69) and Justin Evans-Jenkins (51) high-five ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy (12) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule takes the field for warm ups ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Jeff Sims (7) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano (30) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
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