Matt Rhule speaks to the media as the 5-1 Huskers head into the first bye week

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - In the lone media availability of the week, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule held his weekly Monday press conference ahead of the Huskers’ first of two bye weeks. With six games under their belts, Rhule said he was proud of his players through the first half of the season.

“The second half of the season will be the same to me as the first. After Illinois, I could just feel our team and our coaching staff wanting to win this game. I enjoyed this game better where the guys just go and play,” said Rhule.

Rhule also provided an update on a couple of injuries. Cornerback Tommi Hill continues to be day-by-day with a foot injury that comes down to pain tolerance. As for the Huskers starting kicker, Rhule sophomore Tristan Alvano will “potentially begin the process of testing and seeing where he’s at, and whatever that means in terms of when he’s comfortable and healthy.”

Healthy and ready to take the field is backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg. Through the first six games, Haarberg has seen limited action on the gridiron, especially at non-quarterback positions.

“I think he needs to play more. So I don’t disagree when a fan says that. The challenge is having a lot of good players on offense,” said Rhule. “Part of it is that we spend so much time getting Heinrich ready to be the second quarterback that that’s what delayed it a little bit. I don’t disagree, but I also will say that the offense is stacked.”

The Huskers will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and will have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off before getting back into a game-week routine on Monday.

Following the bye week, the Huskers head to No. 18 Indiana on Saturday, October 19th, the undefeated Hoosiers will also be coming off their first bye week of the season. The kickoff for that game has been set for 11 a.m. CT and will serve as Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff game.

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