LINCOLN — After running the ball just a handful of times in the second half of a 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule conceded Monday that NU may need more of a run game commitment going forward.

After an overtime loss to Illinois, the Huskers will travel to Purdue for the season’s first road test. Rhule said Monday that Nebraska will be without starting left tackle Turner Corcoran, who injured a hamstring during Friday night’s loss.

Matt Rhule's shortcomings against ranked teams continued Friday night, as his 22nd-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers fell to the No. 24 Illinois Fighting

Here's a look back at Matt Rhule's past turnarounds at Temple and Baylor from Year 1 to Year 2 as Nebraska football is out to its best start since 2016:

Illinois’ ability to disguise its coverages and alternate between zone and man-to-man looks was a point of concern heading into the game, but Rhule said that Raiola “crushed it” in identifying the coverages he was facing. It wasn’t always perfect — Raiola was fooled on the game’s first play, Rhule said — but it was steady from that point.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule met with the media following his team's 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois. The game was the first time that Nebraska opened Big Ten Conference play at home since 2017 The loss dropped the Huskers record in Big Ten openers to 6-8 overall.