
Nebraska Football
The Nebraska football team finished 7-6, securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 and winning a bowl game for the first time since 2015. While the second half of the season included some disappointing losses in ways Husker fans have become all too accustomed to seeing, this past season represents progress for Matt Rhule. With a busy offseason already in full swing, it’s a good time to look back at some of the top moments from the year that was.
15. 2nd half against Purdue. It’s easy to forget after a 28-10 victory, but Nebraska played a sloppy 1st half against Purdue and went into the locker room tied 0-0. What’s more, the Boilermakers took the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, took almost 7 minutes of time off the clock, and kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead halfway through the 3rd quarter. Husker fans had been there before. Suddenly, the boys in red were losing a close game in the 2nd half against a team they should be beating. Too many times in the past, Nebraska teams folded in similar moments. In this instance, however, the Huskers didn’t panic, and instead ran off 28 unanswered points before allowing a late Purdue touchdown during garbage time. It wasn’t always easy and it wasn’t always pretty, but the Big Red found a way to win. We’d love to see much more consistency moving forward, but this felt like progress after too many 2nd half meltdowns to count in recent years.
14. Winning (Some) One Score Games. I debated about whether or not to include this one in the top 15. After all, the Huskers actually lost five one score games (Illinois, Ohio State, USC, UCLA, and Iowa). But they also won two of them: at home against Rutgers, and in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College. Against Rutgers, the Huskers took a 14-0 lead into halftime and held on to win 14-7. In the bowl game, the Big Red led 20-2 at one point, before holding off a Boston College comeback attempt to secure a 20-15 victory. Pretty much going back to the Riley era, Nebraska has struggled mightily in one score games, seemingly always ending up on the losing end of these close battles. So, winning two of them in 2024 represents progress. Coach Rhule talked often throughout the season about how the team is still learning how to win, and winning close games is essential to that process. Some fixes on special teams and an upgraded offense will go a long way toward avoiding close losses in 2025, but they will need to prove it on the field.
13. Goal line stand vs. Rutgers. It was a thing of beauty. When Nebraska gave up their second blocked punt of the game (decidedly not a thing of beauty), Rutgers began the drive with 1st and goal at the 2 yard line. After the Huskers pushed the Scarlet Knights back three yards for 2nd and goal at the 5, a penalty put Rutgers right back at 1st and goal at the 2. Remarkably, having made two stops already, the Blackshirts held firm on four more plays and kept the Knights out of the end zone. The stop made a decisive difference in the one score game, but it felt bigger than that. After what they admitted was a disappointing showing against Illinois, the Nebraska defense has responded with two stellar performances against Purdue and Rutgers. The goal line stand against Rutgers was a perfect encapsulation of that resolve. It felt like a prove-it moment for the Husker defense, and they answered the bell.
12. Emmett Johnson’s Last Four Games. Not to toot our own horn, but on the Common Fan Podcast we have been saying since spring ball that Emmett Johnson was the best running back on the roster. For most of the season, it was hit or miss with EJ. He would have a great series or even a great game, and then he would seemingly disappear the following game (for the record, we put this on the coaching staff, not on Emmett himself). But once Dana Holgorsen arrived and took over play calling duties, Johnson became the featured back in the offense, and he didn’t disappoint. In just the last four games of the season, he rushed for 314 yards (accounting for more than half of his season total of 598), and he was a major threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, hauling in 23 catches for 170 yards. He added two touchdowns as well, including a crucial score to help secure victory in the Pinstripe Bowl. The highlight of this stretch was undoubtedly the Wisconsin game, when Emmett led the team in both rushing yards (113) and receiving yards (85). Johnson briefly entered the transfer portal once the offseason hit (presumably due to the inconsistent playing time over the course of the season), but thankfully Matt Rhule and company were able to change his mind and convince him to stay at Nebraska. He’ll be back as a Husker in 2025, and he’ll be one of the centerpieces of the offense.
11. Raiola’s Commitment. OK, technically this happened in December, about eight months before the 2024 season kicked off. But since the very first moment there was a hint that 5 star, Husker legacy quarterback Dylan Raiola was considering flipping his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska, this became the story of last offseason. The hope that comes with a player of Raiola’s talent and abilities–at the most important position in football–cannot be overstated. It wasn’t just a good player committing to the Huskers. It was an immediate impact, ready-to-play, star quarterback with an NFL arm to go along with poise and brains beyond his years. This commitment completely changed the narrative of the offseason, and injected the fan base with a hope and belief that had been missing for years. The fact that he’s the son of an All American Husker lineman–one of the best in program history–makes it all the sweeter for Nebraska fans. In 2024, the young Raiola lived up to the hype with a solid true freshman season. Husker fans can’t wait to see what’s next after another full offseason of work, and a newly designed offense under Dana Holgorsen.
10. Taking Ohio State to the Wire. Nebraska went into Columbus one week after a 56-7 loss to Indiana and went toe to toe with then #4 Ohio State for four quarters, eventually losing 21-17. I’ll be honest – I did not expect Nebraska to beat the Buckeyes. Coming off the bad loss to Indiana, I was hoping to at least see the Big Red put up a fight and make a game of it. The Huskers did more than that. They battled their hearts out. They had a 4th quarter lead, and even after relinquishing it, had the ball with a chance to win in the final minutes. It still qualifies as a gut punch loss, and there are no moral victories. There were numerous ways Nebraska could have won that game. Maybe just one fewer mistake, or one more big play, and they finally get over the hump in a big game against a highly ranked opponent. BUT – if I’m being totally honest, I was concerned they might get blown out for a second week in a row and the season would run the risk of derailing. The Huskers came out and fought, they didn’t quit when things started poorly, and they hung with Ohio State blow-for-blow. That’s a huge credit to Coach Rhule and the staff. What you hope to see in 2025 is the type of effort the team showed in Columbus on a consistent basis.
9. Emergence of Freshmen Contributors. Jacorey Barney. Carter Nelson. Vincent Shavers. Keona Davis. Gunnar Gottula. Rahmir Stewart. Willis McGahee IV. Donovan Jones. These are just some of the freshmen who made a meaningful impact during the 2024 season. By the time the Huskers were playing in the Pinstripe Bowl, there were 20 true freshmen or redshirt freshmen on Nebraska’s depth chart. To me, this speaks to two things: 1) Matt Rhule’s coaching staff’s ability to identify talented recruits who can come into the program and contribute right away, and 2) the staff’s willingness to let talented players play. As Rhule goes about trying to build a consistent winner at Nebraska, the experience these young guys got in 2024 will be invaluable in future years. There is no substitute for live game reps. What’s more, it’s extremely useful to be able to show future recruits that if they come to Nebraska, work hard, and are good enough to get on the field, they’re going to play. In my opinion, the emerging youth movement will be one of the most fascinating story lines of 2025.
8. Dylan’s debut. After a full eight months of offseason obsessing over the new look Nebraska offense, led by all world Husker legacy Dylan Raiola, Memorial Stadium was bursting at the seams to see his debut in the home opener against UTEP. He didn’t disappoint. On the opening drive, Raiola completed five of seven passes, and with beautiful back-to-back throws, turned a 2nd-and-30 into 3rd-and-11, and 3rd-and-11 into a 1st down. He led the team to a touchdown on that drive, and was 19-for-27 on the day for 238 yards and two touchdowns. There was something very special about that first game. To see him command the offense and live up to expectations felt like a combination of exhilaration and relief for Husker fans. It was confirmation that he really is the real deal, and it led Big Red imaginations to run wild about what’s possible, now and into the future, with Raiola at the helm. While he certainly had the occasional true freshman moment throughout the course of the 2024 season, it was an overall excellent first season for Raiola at Nebraska, and Husker fans already can’t wait to see what’s in store next fall.
7. Dana Holgorsen’s Arrival. By bringing in Dana Holgorsen to take over as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator with three games left in the 2024 season, head coach Matt Rhule showed he’ll do whatever it takes to build a winner in Lincoln. After a solid start to the season, the Husker offense started to sputter during conference play, similar to what we saw in 2023. At the time of Holgorsen’s hiring, the Huskers ranked 99th nationally in scoring offense, 96th in total offense, 101st in rushing offense, and 66th in passing offense. Nebraska’s offense was averaging 22.3 points per game at the time, good for 96th nationally. As I wrote at the time, “There’s not enough improvement to be found, and the ineptitude on offense has cost Nebraska multiple games at this point in the Rhule era.” Rhule went big by bringing in one of the best offensive minds in the country, and allowing him to take over play calling duties nine games into the season. With minimal time to learn the playbook and personnel, Holgorsen immediately improved the offensive operation, with the 44 point outburst against Wisconsin being the highlight. The Huskers finally got back to (and won) a bowl game, and you have to wonder whether or not that happens without Holgorsen. Now that he’ll have an entire offseason to upgrade his side of the ball, Husker fans can’t wait to see how big of a leap the offense can take in 2025.
6. This Year’s Senior Class. There was just something special about this year’s seniors. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher didn’t just anchor the defensive line; they were the heart and soul of the entire team. John Bullock represented just the latest great walk-on story at Nebraska, and he personified what it means to be a Husker. Rahmir’s Johnson’s persistence, after battling multiple injuries over the course of his career, and having to deal with the death of his mother during the 2024 season, was an inspiration. Seeing him go out on a high note–rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown, including the game-clinching run on 4th down to seal the victory for Nebraska late in the game–was one of the highlights of the season. Isaac Gifford, Bryce Benhart, Jahmal Banks, and so many other seniors contributed throughout the season, up to and including the bowl game. Especially for the seniors who have been at Nebraska their entire careers, it’s likely been more of a roller coaster ride than they ever could have expected. The Huskers were one win away from bowl eligibility in 2019, turned down an opportunity for a bowl game in the Covid-shortened 2020 season, saw Scott Frost get fired three games into the 2022 season, and were once again one win away from bowl eligibility in 2023. They finally got their bowl game, and they made it count. In the years to come, hopefully we look back on this group as the group that served as the foundation of something much bigger; the springboard that led to a new era of greatness for Nebraska football. No matter what happens, this was a special group that deserves the gratitude of all of Husker Nation.
5. 400th Consecutive Sellout. Count this Common Fan as a sucker for all the Husker history, traditions, and streaks, and that includes the sellout streak. I know it’s been on life support a few times in recent years, given the subpar product on the field. But to me, the sellout streak is an indication of the faith, passion, and resilience of the Nebraska fan base, and it’s been worth the effort to preserve it. It stands as a testament to the fact that we are the greatest fans in college football. Even in some of those lean years when there was not a butt in every single seat, and donors had to buy up the last handful of tickets for some games, the stadium was still almost entirely full. As Omaha World Herald columnist Tom Shatel has said, “Nebraska fans remain undefeated against apathy.” Husker fans keep coming back. We keep filling up that beautiful stadium, even when the team is flat out bad. This fan base deserves a winner, and I believe Coach Rhule is in the process of building just that. With the positive trajectory of the program, you can bet the sellout streak will be alive and well for years to come.
4. Beating Colorado. Boy oh boy, this one was sweet, wasn’t it? The Huskers had lost to the Buffaloes the last three times the teams had faced each other. During both Nebraska-Colorado games of the Frost era, it felt like the Big Red gave those games away, blowing 4th quarter leads in each. In 2023, Nebraska went into Boulder and never seemed to get on track, turning the ball over early and often and playing from behind the entire game. This was the win the fan base needed. It wasn’t just that Nebraske beat Colorado. It was the sheer domination of our former conference rival that was so thoroughly satisfying. The Blackshirts imposed their will from start to finish, only giving up 10 points to an offense with several future NFL players on it. The Nebraska offense looked dang near perfect in the first half, scoring 21 points, and did enough in the 2nd half to hold the ball, bleed clock, and allow the Huskers to win comfortably. The Memorial Stadium crowd was incredible, and they were treated to a beatdown of one of Nebraska’s most hated rivals. As I wrote in my topline takeaways column after the game, “The Buffs got knocked in the chin strap early, were in a big hole by halftime, and flat out quit by the 4th quarter…The Buffaloes waltzed into Memorial Stadium with a boatload of swagger; it ended up buried on the turf under a pile of Blackshirts.” Knowing that Nebraska doesn’t have Colorado on the schedule for any future season at this point, this was the perfect way to leave the series (for now) on a high note.
3. Getting the Badger Off Our Back. Before Nebraska was in the Big Ten, I think it’s safe to say many Husker fans approvingly observed the Wisconsin program from afar. Upon becoming the Badgers head coach, former Husker player Barry Alvarez took the Bob Devaney blueprint with him to Madison and built a winner. Even once we joined the Big Ten, I thought Wisconsin was the best option to become our rival in this new conference. Both teams were (at the time) perennial top 25 squads and regular conference contenders. And, when they split the first two games after Nebraska’s entrance into the Big Ten (with Wisconsin winning in 2011 and Nebraska winning during the 2012 regular season), it felt like we were off to the races. I never, ever would have guessed the Huskers would go more than a decade without beating the Badgers, starting with the dreadful 2012 Big Ten championship game. There were a few ugly blowouts, but most of the time, these games went down to the wire, including two that went to overtime. Unfortunately, Nebraska was always on the losing end of those contests. Until this year. The Huskers thoroughly dominated their elusive nemesis, winning 44-25 as they ran away with it in the 2nd half. Not only did the Huskers finally beat the Badgers; the game also secured bowl eligibility for Nebraska (more on that below). Let’s hope this is the beginning of a trend of beating Big Ten heavyweights and getting back on the right side of Big Ten trophy games.
2. Winning the Pinstripe Bowl. What a difference one game can make. By winning the Pinstripe Bowl, the Huskers secured a winning season for the first time since 2016. The warmth of that victory will carry Husker Nation all the way to spring ball (and perhaps even to August). Ultimately, the Huskers finished 7-6, in a season Husker fans hope is a transition on the pathway back to relevance in the college football universe. It won’t go down as one of the great seasons in the history of this storied program, but it absolutely matters for the trajectory of the program. Would 6-7 have been much different? I would argue yes, it would have. The win can serve as a springboard to offseason recruiting efforts, winter workouts, and spring practices. It gives the fan base something to believe in and hold onto. After a largely disappointing back half of the season, the Huskers won two of their last three and have palpable momentum heading into Year 3 for Matt Rhule.
1. Securing Bowl Eligibility. The aforementioned win against Wisconsin not only broke a 12 year losing streak to the Badgers; it also secured bowl eligibility for Nebraska for the first time since 2016. Here’s what I wrote after that game: “You could feel the collective sigh of relief across the entire fan base, combined with the elation that came with the moment. It felt like we were exorcizing so many demons from the last decade of Nebraska football. Fans stormed the field. Social media went nuts. Friends and family members shared in the moment as if the Berlin wall had just come down. I’m not exaggerating or lying when I say, I actually cried.” It’s true, I did. It wasn’t that long ago that we as Husker fans were able to take going to a bowl game as a given. Even after the dominant years of the ‘90s had passed, the Huskers more often than not had top 25 caliber bowl teams through 2016. The recent pain and anguish of so many losing seasons was at one time unfathomable to generations of Nebraska fans; I still can’t quite believe things ever got so low. Yes, we hope that Rhule is building a winner that can contend for conference championship and college football playoff appearances. We hope we’re never celebrating getting to six wins again. But this year, it was worth celebrating, and the most loyal fans in college football deserved that celebration. The jubilation, relief and joy could be felt far and wide across the windswept plains. When Nebraska runs off a string of national championships, and they’re making the Netflix documentary, it may well start with this moment, when the Big Red finally got over the hump and got back to a bowl game.
Author’s Note: Longtime play-by-play announcer Greg Sharpe revealed in April that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer. Many Husker fans got more of a glimpse into Greg’s battle when Tom Rinaldi interviewed him before the Rutgers game. Sharpe said his goal in April was to make it long enough to call the first Nebraska game on August 31. He accomplished that and much more during the course of the season. The outpouring of love and support from Husker Nation and opposing teams alike was outstanding throughout the year. As I wrote in October, “It’s heartening to see the level of support he has received, both from Husker Nation and beyond. It’s a reminder of how Nebraska football is more than just a game; it’s part of who we are as a people, one great Big Red family.” When I did my top ten highlights for the first half of the season, support for Greg Sharpe was #1. For the year-end highlights, I’m going to place this right up front each day we post (we’re posting five at a time). Please keep Greg and his family in your prayers as he continues his battle.
