LINCOLN, NEB. - It may be hard to believe, but in one month, the Sea of Red will return to Memorial Stadium and the second year of the Matt Rhule era will be underway in Lincoln.

Ahead of Wednesday’s first fall camp practice, Matt Rhule and the Huskers met with the media, to preview the next four weeks leading up to the season. One key for Matt Rhule is a continuation of a strong defensive unit in 2024, using the momentum from Nebraska’s top 15 showing last year. One day to do that, a hefty goal for takeaways.

“We have to take the ball away 20 times this year,” Rhule said. “And I don’t mean five times against an inferior opponent. Im saying take the ball away. We only won the turnover battle twice last year… We took the ball away 14 times with one or two on special teams.”

Defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher was second in sacks for the Blackshirts with 4.5 in the 2023 campaign. He says a goal of the defense is to impact the game, in every game.

“We’re going to be the reason we go out and win games this year,” Hutmacher said. “Whatever happens on the other side of the ball or on special teams, we’re going to be the reason we win games. We want to play good enough, hard enough, long enough that we win games this year.”

Another area Nebraska’s looking to improve is turnovers. Nebraska ranked second to last in the nation in turnover margin, committing 25 costly giveaways, including 9 fumbles lost.

That’s something Emmett Johnson is emphasizing this camp.

“Protecting the football is everything for this program,” Johnson said. “It’s what’s been keeping us from winning football games. It shouldn’t come from the coaches, it’s on u players to take this seriously. You’re going to see me, working at that really hard because that’s going to help us win a lot of games this year.”

And lastly, Matt Rhule expects Nebraska to be competitive in 2024. Something he thinks the team needs to display, in fall camp.

“It’s time to win, there’s no more sympathy,” Rhule said. “Everyone’s had all summer and all spring to get here… Now, the fact that we have the model that we use, everyones going to get reps, but it’s going to come down to game reps. Even little things like getting done with practice, you want to head back to your room and play your game, you better study your plays for the next day.”

Matt Rhule did begin has session noting that sophomore kicker Tristan Alvano will be limited with a nagging groin injury and is not on the 120-man roster, but will join the team "later on."

He also encouraged fans to attend Nebraska’s open practice this Saturday, which includes a $25 entry.