Nebraska coach Matt Rhule explains trust in freshman quarterback TJ Lateef

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule had confidence in freshman quarterback TJ Lateef during the team’s 28-21 win over the UCLA Bruins on Saturday.

The coaching staff allowed Lateef to throw the ball late in the fourth quarter, an interesting subplot to what was a solid night for the quarterback. Lateef went 13-of-15 on the evening, throwing for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He had a standout performance in what was an important win on the road for a program looking to bounce back.

It was a nail-biting victory all the way to the finish line, and Rhule discussed the thought process behind letting his freshman quarterback throw the football.

“If you have any idea how we feel about him, at the end of the game, with the game on the line we’re throwing the football,” Rhule said. “A lot of people wouldn’t do that but we’re doing that. It’s because he’s earned that.”

It was clear that Lateef earned the coaching staff’s trust throughout the night and remained in a groove throughout the game. It was an important road victory for a team looking to finish the season strong.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-3, 4-3) retake the field on Saturday, Nov. 22, when they travel to Pennsylvania to face the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6) in Happy Valley. The kickoff time and TV network have not yet been determined.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule has full confidence in TJ Lateef

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos