Matt Rhule has made the message to Anthony Colandrea clear ahead of Nebraska's Sept. 5 season opener: the quarterback has earned his respect and trust, and now it is time to go play.
It is a straightforward vote of confidence, but also an important one. Colandrea is entering his senior year with 33 appearances and 31 starts behind him, giving Nebraska a quarterback who brings real experience into the new campaign.
Rhule's confidence in Colandrea
Rhule did not speak in vague terms when discussing his starter. He said, in effect, that Colandrea has done enough to win trust, adding: Anthony's earned my respect and trust; go play.
That is exactly the sort of message a coach wants to send on the eve of a season opener. Nebraska does not need a quarterback searching for approval. It needs one who can play with authority, settle into the role quickly and carry himself like the leader Rhule clearly expects him to be.
Rhule went even further in describing Colandrea's style, saying: Anthony's a lion. He also praised him as a winner who wants to play and wants to win every play, adding that it is exactly how a fiery quarterback should look if he plays with passion on his sleeve and backs it up.
Why the experience matters
With 33 games and 31 starts, Colandrea is not being asked to learn on the job. Nebraska is leaning on a player who has already seen enough football to understand the pace, the pressure and the demands that come with starting at this level.
That experience matters even more in a season opener, when rhythm is not guaranteed and the first few possessions can shape the tone of the night. Rhule's comments suggest Nebraska wants Colandrea to play freely, but within the framework of a quarterback who already knows what is expected of him.
Justin Evans and the single-digit picture
Rhule also offered a small window into Nebraska's internal jersey plans, saying the single-digit players will be kept private until Saturday. He noted that those players already know who they are, but that the program will keep it internal for now.
One name Rhule did reveal was Justin Evans, who was one of three players selected to represent the Big Red at Big Ten Media Days in late July. Rhule said Evans got the most votes of any offensive lineman he has ever seen, while also reminding reporters that offensive linemen must wear numbers in the 50s, 60s or 70s.
That detail says something about how Evans is viewed inside the program. It is not just a symbolic nod; it is a sign that Nebraska's leadership group is being shaped by players who have earned respect from their teammates.
For Colandrea, the broader picture is equally encouraging. Rhule has publicly backed him, trusted him with the starting role and asked him to go out and play with conviction. That is a meaningful platform heading into Sept. 5, and Nebraska will hope its senior quarterback rewards that faith from the first whistle.
