Matt Rhule is in Year 2 since taking over as the Nebraska head coach.

The Cornhuskers have been impressive to start the 2024 season. They are prepping for Saturday’s first conference test against No. 24 Illinois with a 3-0 record so far that includes a 28-10 drubbing over Colorado in Week 2.

But while it’s easy for outsiders to see the program’s growth — considering the No. 22 Cornhuskers are ranked for the first time in 5 years — Rhule met with the media on Monday and gave a behind-the-scenes example of just how far his team has come in a short time.

Despite coming off a dominating 34-3 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday, Rhule pointed out a specific example from the locker room at halftime.

With a comfortable lead at halftime, the Nebraska head coach said his team was actually frustrated they allowed Northern Iowa to score a field goal on the opening drive. He noted their anger at the halfway point is a great sign of the Huskers buying into the program’s new standard.

“So I think that was something that really kind of bothered us,” Rhule said about the team’s defensive effort in the first half against Northern Iowa.

“I was very calm and stoic at halftime. I was like ‘Hey you’re going to when the game, but what’s bothering you guys right now, I’m so happy that it bothers us.’ Like we are not just playing to win we are playing to a standard and when we aren’t playing to that standard it bothers us. And so giving up a long drive and giving up 3 points on the first drive really bothered them. And that means our guys our maturing, and that they’re not just playing for the result, they’re playing for the way that they play.” 

It’s clear the Cornhuskers have taken a major turn for a program that struggled for the last 5 years. They will have their first major test of the year on Saturday against Illinois.