WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Matt Rhule thought that if he stayed on the white strip that separates the playing field from the sideline, he could throw his headphones on the ground without penalty. And so he did on Saturday in the fourth quarter when Nebraska led by two scores when wide receiver Jahmal Banks was flagged for holding on to wipe away an Emmett Johnson first-down run.

“I was just angry,” Rhule said before the Huskers left Ross-Ade Stadium with a 28-10 win against Purdue, their first time in the Big Ten by a three-point margin in almost five years.

He was angry at the officials who flagged Banks — and who called tight end Thomas Fidone II — for making the first play of the second quarter, a fourth-and-3 throw and a run after the 22-yard catch to the end zone of Dylan had insisted. Raiola to Rahmir Johnson.

When the Huskers played here two years ago and lost 608 yards in a loss, such setbacks might have sent them into a tailspin. The same goes for the 2019 Nebraska team that squandered opportunities in West Lafayette and left with one of the most stunning losses in the last decade of disappointing football.

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Those Nebraska teams didn’t have Rhule. And they certainly didn’t have freshman Raiola. The coaching-QB duo plans to pull the Huskers along — drag them along if necessary — to play the kind of football Nebraska fans want.

Last Saturday’s show in Nebraska at Purdue illustrated the growing effectiveness of Rhule-Raiola’s resilience and leadership. The Huskers (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) shook off the effects of an error-filled, scoreless first half and exploded for four touchdowns in the final 30 minutes.

When throwing the headset, Rhule was given a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. On top of the holding call, it backed Nebraska into second and 29th. Raiola connected with Emmett Johnson for 27 yards on the next play. And Jacory Barney Jr. scored two plays later on a 25-yard run to ice the win.

Rhule did not want the punishment. But he did want the Huskers to see him, their second-year coach, “fight for them today” after Nebraska lost in overtime at home to Illinois a week ago.

“Someone’s going to have to go fight for Nebraska,” Rhule said. “Okay? So I’m here to fight for Nebraska.”

On Saturday he brought some extra fire. Before kickoff, Rhule gathered the Huskers into a large circle and called a few players up the middle in groups of two, pitting them against each other in one-on-one clashes.

“It’s about attitude,” said former All-America center Dominic Raiola as he watched the pregame activity from the sidelines and clearly enjoyed it.

Dominic’s son also showed some attitude.

Dylan Raiola hit 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown, feeding balls through a Purdue defense with the intention of sitting in zone coverage and allowing the rookie to beat the Boilermakers in his first road appearance. Raiola’s precision also led to six pass interference calls.

His stat line through five games: 99 of 141 passing (70.2 percent) for 1,211 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

Raiola’s performance at Purdue might be his most impressive with the Huskers.

When Nebraska struggled on third down in the first half, missing three field goals and committing drive-kill penalties, Raiola’s work driving six times into the Purdue 40 did not result in a point. Still, he didn’t force any throws. He kept his composure and continued to lean on Purdue. Things broke down defensively after halftime.

“We just stay the course and keep grinding,” Raiola said.

Nebraska trailed 3-0 late in the third quarter. On third and goal from the 6, Raiola shortened the cadence as the play clock dwindled, switching to a silent count amid rising noise. He found Banks in the back of the end zone.

His presence calms the Huskers on offense. With Raiola at the helm, Nebraska has committed just three turnovers, a year after losing the ball 31 times. It’s plus-5 in turnover margin, on pace to finish in the black for the third time since Frank Solich was fired as coach 21 years ago.

Raiola plays the role of a leader. Of course he needs help. But sooner than planned, the Huskers are turning into his team. Even with sky-high expectations for the former five-star prospect, he’s a year ahead of schedule.

“This week was all about us and getting back to who we were,” he said. “Last week we got punched in the mouth. And it was just about our response.”

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The other cornerstone, Rhule, said he urged the Huskers to take the pressure off after last week. He wants them to find joy in competition.

“Let’s just go play,” he said.

At halftime, as Husker Nation worried about the missed opportunities and collectively wondered if Nebraska would leave empty-handed like in 2022 and 2019, Rhule didn’t harp on the mistakes.

“I told them,” he said, “this is exactly where this team needed to be.”

In the second half they had to show that they could win.

“I love that they’re not backing down,” Rhule said.

Nebraska’s problems with special teams are glaring. The offensive line is a patchwork product. The run defense, with undefeated Rutgers and top defenseman Kyle Monangai visiting Lincoln this week, appears vulnerable.

“People can spend all their time trying to think we’re not,” Rhule said. “I choose to see what we are.”

He banged his hand on a table four times to emphasize that Nebraska has improved incrementally.

“We hit the road after a devastating loss last week,” he said. “And we found a way to win. And I couldn’t be more proud. It wasn’t the best football. We have a lot to fix. But I am proud of the heart of that team.”

Their heart, their direction, their ability to open doors long closed in Nebraska? It all starts with the coach and the QB.

(Top photo of Dylan Raiola: Marc Lebryk / Imagn Images)