Glenn Thomas Says He's Ready to Call Plays vs. Rutgers

Nebraska’s offensive coordinator position has undergone a sudden shift following the firing of Dana Holgorsen, leaving interim coordinator Glenn Thomas to lead the unit against Rutgers.

Matt Rhule announced the firing of Holgorsen on Saturday, the day after Nebraska suffered its fourth consecutive loss.

Thomas, who entered the 2026 season as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is now taking on more responsibility. The extent of head coach Matt Rhule's involvement in play-calling is not yet clear, but Thomas appears prepared for the transition.

Thomas, who previously served as Rhule’s offensive coordinator or co-coordinator for four seasons at Baylor and Temple, said he is used to all aspects of the job. “Whether it’s all me, that’s cool. If he’s heavily involved, that’s all good,” Thomas said. “I’ll be ready to do what I need to do to help us be successful.”

A primary focus for the interim coordinator involves correcting the technical errors that have stalled Nebraska’s momentum throughout the season. Thomas specifically highlighted the need to eliminate what he termed “drive-stopping penalties.”

The statistics from the recent matchup against Illinois illustrate the severity of the issue. Against Illinois, Nebraska was charged with 11 penalties for 82 yards.

“Drive-stopping penalties, we haven’t been able to overcome,” Thomas said on Tuesday. He noted that addressing these infractions requires both a discipline component and deliberate practice.

New Nebraska playcaller Glenn Thomas says offense has ‘a lot of potential’ — Photo: ketv.com

The offense will rely heavily on senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea, a veteran who has played through a volatile season. Colandrea has amassed 2,490 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns this fall. He accounted for 311 all-purpose yards during the game against Illinois.

Thomas has worked closely with the quarterback and expressed confidence in his mental resilience despite recent setbacks. Although Colandrea has experienced “ups and downs,” including an interception in recent weeks, Thomas noted that the quarterback responded immediately with a 90-plus-yard drive. “I’ve been super pleased with how he’s dealt with it,” Thomas said. “So, I think mentally he’s in a great place.”

There is, however, a strategic nuance Thomas is working to refine with his signal-caller. Thomas suggested that Colandrea occasionally tries to do too much and needs to better distinguish between high-risk opportunities and safer check-down options to keep drives alive.

While the passing game faces scrutiny, the ground attack has provided a consistent foundation for the Huskers. Thomas pointed to the efficiency of the rushing unit as a major area for continued development.

During the game against Illinois, the Nebraska run game was highly productive, averaging nearly five yards per carry, as reported by KETV NewsWatch 7.

Player	Stat Category	Performance Detail
Anthony Colandrea	All-Purpose Yards	2,490
Jamal Rule	All-Purpose Yards	98

Freshman running back Jamal Rule emerged as a key contributor last week, totaling 98 all-purpose yards. Rule caught five passes for 29 yards against Illinois and carried the ball 15 times for 69 yards.

Thomas indicated that the players see the potential within the unit because of the production levels they have reached.

The conversation between Thomas and Matt Rhule regarding the new hierarchy was described as brief. Thomas stated that the focus has shifted entirely toward the upcoming matchup in Piscataway, New Jersey. “From that point on, it’s been all Rutgers,” Thomas said.

The Huskers will face Rutgers this Saturday. CT.