Tag: Nebraska Football

Rhule declares ‘there is no curse’

Matt Rhule took a strong stance on the talk surrounding his program.

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule took a strong stance on a polarizing topic following Saturday’s 28-20 loss to the USC Trojans.

The loss gave Nebraska its fourth in a row, and they dropped to 5-5 on the season. The Huskers kept close with the Trojans throughout the game but were unable to finish.

The loss gave Rhule his sixth defeat in November. He has not won in November during his tenure as the Huskers’ head coach.

Fans have speculated that Nebraska is cursed and that the team is unlucky. The coach met with the media on Monday and declared that none of that is the case.

“We’re not snakebit, we’re not unlucky, there’s no curse.”

The Huskers will take on a Wisconsin Badgers team this Saturday, as they look to get that elusive sixth win and make a bowl game. Kickoff time for the game is set for 2:30 PM CT.

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Wisconsin stands in the way of Nebraska extending a record losing streak

Wisconsin stands in the way of Nebraska extending a record losing streak

The stakes are high for the Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) road matchup against rival Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Both teams enter the game at 5-5, needing just one more win to clinch bowl eligibility.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

Normally, that would be enough stakes alone. But how each team has reached this point is significant to note.

Wisconsin was 5-2 through seven games after a win over Northwestern capped an impressive three-game winning streak. The season has somewhat tanked since then, with demoralizing losses to Penn State, Iowa and Oregon, respectively.

The Badgers fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo after the latest loss, signaling the current state of affairs in year two of the Luke Fickell era. Overall, the program is far from where many expected it to be.

The Nebraska side is somehow even worse. The Cornhuskers were 5-1 to start the year, headlined by a big win over Colorado. They appeared to be at the start of a resurgence in year two under Matt Rhule.

Since that point: 56-7 loss to Indiana, 21-17 loss to Ohio State, 27-20 loss to UCLA and 28-20 loss to USC. Nebraska brings a four-game losing streak into Saturday’s matchup.

That four-game losing streak means a bit more to Nebraska than Wisconsin’s losing streak does to its program. Nebraska has not made a bowl game since 2016. It is now a whopping 0-9 in games with bowl eligibility on the line during that time, including now 0-8 under Rhule — 0-4 in 2023, 0-4 in 2024.

The FBS record for consecutive losses with bowl eligibility at stake is 10 (Mike MacIntyre and Colorado from 2017-18 and Lou Holtz at South Carolina from 2002-04). Another loss for Rhule would bring him within one defeat of the record. Losses to both Wisconsin and Iowa to close the season would bring him to that mark.

That’s what Wisconsin has to play for on Saturday, other than the famous Freedom Trophy — that Nebraska has yet to possess. With a win, the Badgers would put Nebraska in a record category of programs to lose 10 straight games with bowl eligibility at stake. With a loss, Wisconsin would forever be the team that ended that record bowl drought.

There are larger Fickell vs. Rhule implications after both were high-profile hires before the 2023 season. But that conversation can wait until postgame. Just note: coaches that lose nine or ten straight games with bowl eligibility on the line usually don’t stick around for very long.

Wisconsin and Nebraska will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Key defenders looking to return in 2025

Two veteran Nebraska football defenders want to return in 2025

At his press conference on Monday, Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule said that defenders Jimari Butler and Marques Buford Jr. want to return next season. Both would be seniors, with Butler returning for a sixth year and Buford returning for a fifth.

Butler has recorded 19 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in 10 games this season. Buford has started in every game this season, making seven at the quarterback position and three at the safety position. He has 27 tackles, five fumble recoveries, and an interception on the season.

Buford had four tackles on Saturday against the USC Trojans, while Butler had three.

The Huskers’ defensive line will undergo changes next season. Seniors Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher will no longer be with the program, Safety DeShon Singleton will no longer be with the program, and rover Isaac Gifford will depart as well. Help will be needed on the back end.

This is undoubtedly notable news for a defense that will undergo an overhaul. It will be interesting to see if they can get that final year.

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Huskers make Top 11 for talented 4-star DL

Tajh Overton put the Huskers in his Top 11.

Four-star defensive tackle Tajh Overton narrowed his list to 11 schools on Friday. Nebraska football made the cut for the class of 2026 prospect.

The Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies, Auburn Tigers, Missouri Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Miami Hurricanes, Ole Miss Rebels, Tennessee Volunteers, UCF Black Knights, and Texas Longhorns also made the cut.

According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Overton is the 24th overall defensive lineman in the 2026 class and the top player in his class from the state of Oklahoma.

According to statistics from Maxpreps.com, he has played in one game this year for Owasso High School. During the contest, he recorded six tackles and two sacks.

The 2026 Nebraska football recruiting class is still being developed. According to the 247Sports Team Rankings, the class ranks 34th nationally.

Nebraska football has emphasized recruiting the defensive line position in the 2025 class, and it appears they are looking to continue building that position. Overton’s recruitment is far from decided. However, the Huskers being in his top 11 is certainly a positive sign.

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Nebraska true freshman quarterback predicts win vs. Badgers

Nebraska true freshman quarterback predicts win vs. Badgers

Nebraska true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola predicted a Cornhuskers over the Badgers on Nov. 23.

Following Nebraska’s 28-20 loss to the USC Trojans in Los Angeles on Saturday, Raiola did not lack confidence when asked about the adjustment process moving to new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.

“We’re only gonna keep building on it these next two weeks,” Raiola said. “We’ll get the win next week and get us to a bowl.”

He was referring to Nebraska’s 11th game of the season vs. the Wisconsin Badgers. Like UW, the Cornhuskers are on a multi-game losing streak dating back to October.

Raiola’s crew has dropped four consecutive contests, to No. 5 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, UCLA and USC. The Badgers, meanwhile, have lost three straight to No. 4 Penn State, Iowa and No. 1 Oregon.

Through 10 games as a true freshman this season, the Georgia native has registered 203 completions, 2,112 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Earlier this season, he led his group to a signature win over Shedeur Sanders and the No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes in Lincoln.

Raiola has attracted a decent amount of media attention this season because of his uncanny physical resemblance to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. His level of play, however, is far from that caliber — during the four-game skid he’s thrown just two touchdowns to six interceptions.

Wisconsin hasn’t dropped a game to Nebraska since 2012. The Badgers will look to continue that streak when the two teams meet on Saturday.

Huskers hosting top 2027 QB target for Wisconsin game

Highly recruited quarterback Trae Taylor will be in town on Saturday.

Class of 2027 four-star quarterback Trae Taylor will visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers this weekend as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers.

According to the Rivals rankings, Taylor is the 33rd-ranked quarterback nationally. He has visited Nebraska twice this season, last on October 5.

The sophomore had a solid year at Carmel High School in Illinois. He threw for 3,061 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also has 41 carries for 342 yards and four touchdowns.

The 2027 Nebraska football recruiting class currently has no commitments at this time. The Huskers have a solid string of quarterback talent, already on the roster and committed in future classes.

The program struggled initially recruiting quarterback depth for the 2025 class. However, they have done a better job of identifying targets at the position for the 2026 and 2027 classes. It’s clear they are zeroing in on Taylor, and it will be interesting to see how his recruitment progresses.

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Dylan Raiola optimistic about Huskers chances to salvage season

Dylan Raiola is confident in his team heading into the final two games of the regular season.

Nebraska football suffered a tough defeat at the hands of the USC Trojans on Saturday afternoon. They were close for most of the game but lost by a 28-20 margin. Nebraska football quarterback Dylan Raiola is confident despite the program’s recent slide.

Raiola went 27-of-38 on the afternoon, throwing for 191 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. This was his first game under the offensive direction of Dana Holgorsen, who was named the offensive coordinator last week.

The freshman still feels confident in what the program can do despite losing four out of its last five games. He does not lack confidence, as reported by 1011 News’s Chase Matteson.

“Husker nation is probably logged out, a lot of uncertainty. It’s up to them. I think we’re gonna roll into these next two games and roll into the bowl game, and then next season we’ll see, and to get rolling from that point.”

Nebraska football is entering a critical juncture of its season. Raiola’s confidence will have to carry over to the rest of the team.

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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill headed to Reese’s Senior Bowl

Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill is headed to Mobile this draft season

Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill is one step closer to achieving his NFL dream.

On Thursday, it was announced that the senior defensive back has accepted his invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

A former Arizona State Sun Devil, Hill is in his fourth season with the Huskers. After entering the season as a potential first-round draft pick, the Florida native’s stock has dropped quite a bit, but he remains an NFL hopeful.

This fall, in seven games, Hill has recorded 21 tackles, including one tackle for loss, one interception, and an additional pass deflection. One season ago, Hill recorded 26 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass deflections in 12 games.

The Senior Bowl kicks off the NFL Draft season every year, as prospects from around the country flock to Mobile, Alabama, for three days of practices before the game.

Historically, a late January event, this year’s Senior Bowl game will be on February 1.

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Big Ten with four teams ranked in top five of US LBM Coaches Poll

Multiple Big Ten teams were represented in the US LBM Coaches Poll this week.

The Big Ten will enter week 13 of the 2024 college football season with four teams in the top five of the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Oregon Ducks are still ranked as the No. 1 team in the country, with the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 2, the Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 4, and the Indiana Hoosiers at No. 5.

No other Big Ten teams were ranked in the top 25 of the poll. The Illinois Fighting Illini were the only Big Ten team to receive votes in the poll.

Scrolling below, you can find the entire US LBM Coaches Poll for week 13.

Rank Team Record Points
1 Oregon Ducks 11-0 1,375 (55)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 9-1 1,316
3 Texas Longhorns 9-1 1,263
4 Penn State Nittany Lions 9-1 1,158
5 Indiana Hoosiers 10-0 1,109
6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9-1 1096
7 Alabama Crimson Tide 8-2 996
8 Georgia Bulldogs 8-2 993
9 Ole Miss Rebels 8-2 984
10 Miami Hurricanes 9-1 847
11 Tennessee Volunteers 8-2 823
12 SMU Mustangs 9-1 744
13 Boise State Broncos 9-1 714
14 Texas A&M Aggies 8-2 646
15 BYU Cougars 9-1 633
16 Clemson Tigers 8-2 569
17 Army Black Knights 9-0 509
18 Colorado Buffaloes 8-2 464
19 South Carolina Gamecocks 7-3 379
20 Tulane Green Wave 9-2 280
21 Iowa State Cyclones 8-2 268
22 Arizona State Sun Devils 8-2 251
23 UNLV Rebels 8-2 93
24 Memphis Tigers 9-2 77
25 Kansas State Wildcats 7-3 67

Schools Dropped Out

No. 18 Washington State; No. 21 Missouri; No. 22 LSU; No. 24 Louisville;

Others Receiving Votes

Washington State 65; Illinois 56; Missouri 44; Syracuse 18; James Madison 11; Duke 9; Pittsburgh 7; Louisiana 5; Louisville 2; Vanderbilt 1; Sam Houston 1; LSU 1; Colorado State 1;

WATCH: Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson scampers for touchdown

Emmett Johnson was able to catch a pass for a touchdown on Saturday.

Nebraska football scored their second touchdown of the game on Saturday, courtesy of a catch from running back Emmett Johnson. Quarterback Dylan Raiola was able to find Johnson, and the running back was able to do the rest as he dashed his way in for a touchdown. The sophomore took the catch 29 yards to the house.

The touchdown throw was Raiola’s 10th and Johnson’s second of the season. This was the running back’s first receiving touchdown of the year. The touchdown gave Nebraska a 14-7 lead following the extra point.

This was another successful drive as the program continued to get used to new coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s offense.

Saturday’s game has had a bunch of ebbs and flows for both programs. In this particular play, the Huskers were able to take advantage of a physical USC defense.

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