Nebraska fans question football coaching amid basketball surge
The Cornhuskers have dropped three straight games, while the women's basketball and volleyball teams lead the nation in their respective categories.
By Alina Marshall ·
Nebraska football fans are growing impatient after the team lost its third straight game, a stretch that includes three consecutive fourth-quarter collapses.
The program's standing has shifted sharply in late October. The football squad moved from a 5-0 start to a 5-3 record over the past few weeks. In contrast, the basketball and volleyball programs have surged to the top of their national rankings.
The football team fell to Washington on Saturday night, late in the fourth quarter. Head coach Matt Rhule addressed the fan reaction on Monday. He acknowledged the pressure but defended the crowd's intensity by comparing it to his time in Philadelphia and New York.
"You guys gotta remember: I'm from New York and I'm from Philly," Rhule said. "I've coached at Temple, where you walk out to see which sections are open, which sections aren't. I'll take (fans throwing stuff) all day."
Rhule noted that his fans are critical of the team's performance regardless of the final score. He said the crowd reacts strongly to turnovers and penalties. He also mentioned that he wants to ensure the pressure is not directed at his players' families.
The women's basketball team opened its season on Monday with a 106-64 victory over Le Moyne. Britt Prince led the Huskers with 23 points, four assists, and four steals in 32 minutes. She shot 4-of-6 from the three-point line and finished with a 60 percent field goal percentage.
True freshman Jacob Lanier played 23 minutes in the same game. He recorded 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. The coaching staff indicated he will see regular playing time this season despite not starting.
The volleyball team remains undefeated in the regular season. Coach Dan Busboom Kelly has guided the squad to a 53-0 mark since arriving in Lincoln. The Huskers are currently ranked number one in the Ratings Percentage Index. They improved their standing after defeating Pitt, a team that had previously held the top spot.
The volleyball team won its matches against Michigan and Michigan State over the weekend. Both games went four sets, marking the second and third sets the team has lost in Big Ten play this season. The next major test is the Big Ten Tournament, which begins later this month.
