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“It must be frustrating that the team is so inconsistent,� the text read, Rhule said Monday.

“That’s hard for me to hear,� Rhule added. “… I think I really have to look at my approach. I have to look at the way I’m doing things with our team.�

The harsh truth comes from a three-game Nebraska losing streak, punctuated by a 27-20 defeat to UCLA on Saturday, derailing NU's progress after a 5-1 start to its season.

Much of the blame has fallen upon the offense, given that the Huskers are scoring just 18.3 points per game in Big Ten play and failed to score more than 20 points in each of their last four games.

“If you score 18 points a game, you’re going to be under fire; it just is what it is,� Rhule said of the criticism that has been levied toward him and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield.

In their bid to improve the Nebraska offense, Rhule said he and the rest of the coaching staff will evaluate their game-planning efforts over the bye week. Rhule is also bringing in an external perspective from “friends in the business� who will also take a long, hard look at Nebraska’s recent struggles this week.

When they evaluate the Nebraska offense, they will see a unit that shows flashes and puts together stellar drives at times but not often enough to win games in the Big Ten.

“There’s moments where I’m like, ‘Okay, that’s what it looks like,’ (but) it’s just not consistent enough,� Rhule said of the Nebraska offense.

Both in terms of successes and failures, that inconsistency leads Nebraska back to the player powering its offense: quarterback Dylan Raiola.

At the start of the season, Raiola was playing at a level far above what is typically expected from a freshman quarterback. Raiola completed over 60% of his passes in each of his first five games as a Husker, totaling nine touchdowns and just two interceptions as he crossed the 200-yard mark in four of those five contests.

Since Nebraska’s win over Purdue, though, Raiola’s completion percentage has fallen. He has averaged less than 175 yards per game over Nebraska’s recent four-game stretch, throwing just one touchdown and six interceptions in the process.

“When you play early (in your career), everything’s not going to be a sunny day,� Rhule said of Raiola. “You learn how to handle all the different things that you see, you have tough moments and you overcome them. I think this is an unbelievable, invaluable experience for Dylan.�

To his credit, Raiola has handled those challenging moments with the poise of a veteran. He’s taken accountability for throwing interceptions, defended his offensive coordinator’s playcalling and placed the blame upon himself in recent weeks.

Even after being knocked out of the UCLA game with an injury, Raiola still addressed the media with honesty and transparency afterward.

“I’m a competitor and I want to win,� Raiola said after the game. “… I still think we can win — there’s no doubt in my mind — but it’s hard to say the least, losing.�

The injury Raiola suffered against UCLA was a back contusion, Rhule said Monday, adding that he expects the quarterback to be back and ready to play against USC in two weeks. While the Nebraska coaching staff will be evaluating changes it can make over a bye week, shaking things up at quarterback is not under consideration.

“This is on-the-job training,� Rhule said of the ups and downs experienced by Raiola this season, adding that immediate playing time was part of the recruiting pitch he gave to Raiola and fellow freshman quarterback Daniel Kaelin.

Nebraska is standing by its freshman starter in part because of what Raiola can become. Rhule indirectly compared his quarterback to Tom Brady on Monday, referencing the “Rolodex� of ways to attack opposing defenses that Brady built in his brain throughout his 23-year NFL career.

Raiola, nine games into his college career, isn’t there yet — but Rhule is ready to be patient.

“I think Dylan’s building a Rolodex that, while it’s frustrating right now, if he weathers the storm, he’ll have so much experience,� Rhule said. “As things get better, he’ll be a unique player.�

The question from Nebraska fans is how quickly will those improvements occur? The Huskers need just one more win over their final three games to secure a bowl game, a situation which has produced a 0-7 response on the field across Rhule’s tenure as head coach.

“You’re frustrated, I’m frustrated,� Rhule said of the way Nebraska has played recently. “… There’s nothing I won’t do to help us get over the top.�

With USC, Wisconsin and Iowa still left on the schedule, Rhule said he would like to see his team “absolutely fight, scratch, claw and compete� in those games.

That will not happen without improvements on offense being implemented over the bye. Nebraska will practice Tuesday through Thursday, taking a two-day break before returning to the practice field on Sunday.

The disappointment from NU’s loss to UCLA is still being felt around the Husker football facility, and it’s that emotion that could fuel improvements in the weeks that follow.

“I want them to be great and I see greatness in so many of them; the last three games I’d like to see that greatness emerge and see them play their best football,� Rhule said.