The spirit of Nebraska Football has had its ups and downs over the years, and the glory days have seemed to fade away with fans waiting for a spark to ignite in Memorial Stadium. Finally, after seven grueling long football seasons, Nebraska Cornhusker fans can look forward to something special.
Year after year Nebraska football has struggled to win games and make a bowl game. This season there is a chance for the Huskers to make a bowl game for the first time since 2016, after starting their first couple of weeks with wins against UTEP, Colorado and UNI.
In early 2023, Nebraska hired new Head Coach Matt Rhule, who previously coached at Baylor and Temple University and has the experience at the NFL level, coaching the Carolina Panthers. Rhule introduced a new philosophy centered around not just winning games, but developing recruits into leaders. Another value of Rhule’s coaching is to never be complacent with anything, always try and work harder.
Matt Rhule stated in an interview, “We’re not just happy to win. Now, we’re starting to play to a standard”.
Rhule chases elite recruits, and focuses on the long term development of his players.
Despite Rhule’s first rough season in Lincoln finishing 5-7, he was able to change the offense and defense dramatically and Nebraska was ranked among the nation’s 15 most improved teams in rushing defense, rushing offense, total defense, and scoring defense. Rhule looks to improve other aspects of the game in the 2024 season such as throwing the football. Nebraska was ranked 24th in national recruiting class, with one 5 star, a couple 4 stars, and a lot of 3 star athletes. Coach Rhule pursued the highest ever recruit in school history, 5 Star Quarterback Dylan Raiola. He also brought in 4 star Tight End Carter Nelson as a future weapon for Raiola. Matt Rhule’s goal is to turn this football program back into a powerhouse football school.
Freshman Quarterback Dylan Raiola has been the talk of Nebraska Football since he flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Georgia, and then Nebraska. He comes from Buford High School in Georgia and fans are excited to see what this young player can do with all the hype around him. Nebraska has not had a true freshman quarterback start since Adrian Martinez in 2018, so Raiola is under lots of pressure this season. The transition from high school football and college football is huge, but Matt Rhule has full trust in his new quarterback and believes he can help turn this program around.
Through the first few weeks of the new season Raiola has not disappointed, throwing for multiple touchdowns with only one interception. As the schedule gets harder from here, fans stay hopeful they can take down opponents like Indiana and Ohio State.
Hope has been reawakened as the season started off strong. Social media buzzed with former players returning and new recruits starting their collegiate career. The Huskers are on the cusp of something special this year.
