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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule says he just might pull the plug on his team’s traditional spring game.

And while the fervent faithful in Lincoln, Neb., likely would be devastated if Rhule follows through, the third-year coach said it might be necessary to keep his program together.

“I don’t know that yet, but I’ll be honest with you. I highly doubt it,” Rhule told reporters Saturday about the likelihood of the Cornhuskers playing the game.

The reason? The transfer portal. He doesn’t want to expose his players to other coaches who might try to pluck them during the spring transfer window.

“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said. “It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’ ”

Rhule said he is considering ways to give fans a preseason look at the team without sharing his players with the nation. The spring game last year drew 60,452 fans to Lincoln, and it also was televised on the Big Ten Network.

The spring transfer portal closes April 25. After that, as a ceremonial close to spring practices, Nebraska could invite the fans in.

“I do want to show off our players in some way,” he said. “So what exactly will it be? … I have not worried about anything other than recruiting right now.”

–Field Level Media