Nebraska wrapped up its second week of spring football with an intense 150-play scrimmage, making it clear that the Huskers’ identity is shifting under the leadership of their new coordinators. With the Spring Game (March 28) on the horizon, the pieces of Matt Rhule’s puzzle are starting to fall into place.
Defense: Everyone Wants to be a «Cheetah» New defensive coordinator Rob Aurich (formerly of San Diego State) has brought an aggressiveness to Lincoln that hasn’t been seen in years. Aurich highlighted progress toward «Level 200 and 300» of his system, but what truly has the players fired up is the «Cheetah» pass-rush package. «Everybody wants to be on Cheetah; no one wants to be left out,» Aurich said, emphasizing the need to boost sack totals after a modest performance last season.
Offense: Anthony Colandrea’s Scrambling Changes the Script On the offensive side, Dana Holgorsen admitted he’s had to adjust his philosophy after seeing Anthony Colandrea in action. The transfer quarterback has impressed with his processing speed and play-extending ability, prompting Holgorsen to implement scramble drills more frequently.
«I’m seeing things I haven’t seen since I’ve been here,» the coordinator confessed, clearly encouraged by the mobility of his new QB unit, which also features young talents TJ Lateef and Daniel Kaelin.
With a focus on reversing the program’s recent November struggles, these structural changes appear to be Rhule’s definitive bet to establish the Huskers as legitimate Big Ten contenders in 2026.