Week 5: Matt Rhule speaks with media, scouting Maryland

Nick Eriksen, Will Charlton,

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule met with the media on Monday morning at the Hawks Championship Center for his weekly press conference following the Huskers 31-13 road win at Michigan State. Coach Rhule previewed to Saturday’s homecoming game against Maryland, while also speaking on much-needed improvements heading into this weekend.

“This is the same team that had five sacks against us last year,” Rhule said. “And obviously Anthony’s moving around and, you know, getting outside the pocket. We’ve been able to run the ball really well at times. I’d like to see us continue to be better, run the ball. This is a defensive that we’re facing that has just huge men.”

Nebraska was held to just 157 rushing yards in its win against the Spartans. Although, the week four victory marked the first time the Huskers have gone 4-0 to start a season since 2016. The Big Red is now one of four teams that remain undefeated in the Big Ten, and despite not making the AP’s Top 25 Poll, the Huskers did receive 33 votes.

Nebraska is now headed back home to Lincoln, where they will prepare for the team’s homecoming game against Maryland on Saturday.

This will be the teams’ fifth meeting, as Nebraska leads Maryland all-time with three wins. The Terrapins are 1-1 in Lincoln.

Watch Rhule’s full press conference here:

 

Scouting Maryland

The Terrapins are 2-2 and are on the heels of a blowout loss to UCLA 54-3. Mike Locksley is in his eighth season leading the program and has accumulated a 39-51 record in his time at Maryland.
Nebraska’s defense will have to contain sophomore quarterback Malik Washington – who is a former four-star recruit – and has thrown for six touchdowns as well as over 1,000 yards through four games. Washington has also thrown four interceptions, all of which coming in last weekend’s loss against the Bruins.
In 2025, Washington threw for 2,963 yards, 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also added four scores on the ground.
Maryland’s offense is averaging 431.2 yards per game this season, with 148.2 via rushing. Howard Iverson and Harry Dalton III are used by committee as running backs, with Washington serving as an occasional runner as well.
Iverson is averaging 44.3 yards per game, while Dalton is contributing 37.7.
Defensively, D.D. Holmes leads the team with 2.5 sacks, followed by a trio of Terrapins who each have two. Cornerback Messiah Delhomme has recorded a pair of interceptions. As a unit, Maryland is allowing an average of 307 yards per game and has forced eight fumbles while recovering three.
Look for the Huskers to want to once again establish the run, as Maryland allowed a net total of 266 yards in its Week 4 loss.

SCORE PREDICTIONS

Nick Eriksen: 31-14, Nebraska

Will Charlton: 35-10, Nebraska

Noelle Adams: 42-14

 

Kickoff between the Huskers and Terrapins is set for 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

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