Year four of the Matt Rhule era is fast approaching, with preseason practices underway.
With 31 days to go until the season opener against Ohio, Nebraska football has begun fall camp.
The Huskers are heading into year four of the Matt Rhule era. The program snapped a bowl drought in his second season, going a matching 7-6 in year three. Another step this year begins with preseason practices.
"They've done a great job of putting themselves in a position for a great camp," Rhule told Kyle Crooks of the Huskers Radio Network on Wednesday.
That work ahead of camp was with the help of strength coach Corey Campbell and Kristin Coggin, who is in charge of performance nutrition. That has included muscle gains and fat loss across the roster.
"Really proud of all their work," Rhule said, noting that some players have been going through the process in Lincoln for four years and others for just several months.
Dana Holgorsen is entering his second full season as the offensive coordinator at Nebraska. | Kenny Larabee, KLINRhule said the focus is what's at hand at all times.
"We're just going to take it one play at a time," Rhule said. "One play of practice, going through the plays, one play in every meeting, and get to the games and play those one play at a time. Not worried about something a month down the line. Not worried about something a week down the line. Not even worried about something five minutes down the line. Just having complete and total focus on what we're doing."
The team is operating out of the dorms at Sellack Hall again. Players spoke with the media on Tuesday, where senior defensive end Cam Lenhardt said Campbell put the team through it this summer, during the "most grittiest offseason" of his Husker career. It is those moments, and what this camp will bring, where Rhule sees leaders emerging.
"Leadership shows up in uncomfortable times," Rhule said. "It's one thing to have convenient leadership. But when it's hard, that's when it really matters."
No matter how long guys have been with the program, a new scheme is here on the defensive side of the ball. Gone is the 3-3-5 from Tony White and John Butler; here is the 4-2-5 from new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich.
"At this point for us, it isn't even a new system," Rhule said. "They've had a chance to learn it in the winter, early spring ball, continued it after spring ball. And Rob's done a good job of adapting his system to what he's going to see in the Big Ten, the things that we feel like highlight our players."
Rob Aurich brings a successful track record to Lincoln. | Kenny Larabee, KLINThat Big Ten slate will include five teams ranked in the preseason Coaches Poll. Of the top six in the rankings, the Huskers will face three: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, and No. 6 Indiana. It is that competition that Rhule wants to be ready to face with a camp full of competitors.
"This is a hard time," Rhule said. "You're living in the dorm. You're around each other 24 hours a day. Competitive stamina. Anybody can do it a day here, a day there. Grit is when you have passion and perseverance meet over time.
"To grow your grit, to grow your mental and physical toughness, you have to go through hard times."
