Many pointed to Rhule as a candidate to change programs due to his close relationship with the Lions during his playing days. However, this ultimately did not happen, and the coach ended up agreeing to a contract extension with Nebraska.

In a recent conversation with CBS Sports, the Huskers’ athletic director, Troy Dannen, revealed the message sent by Rhule explaining the reasons why he ultimately declined this important offer.

“Matt’s message to me was: ‘I grew up there, I played there, it’ll always be special to me, but Nebraska’s home,’” he said. In this way, the coach confirmed he will stay at Nebraska for what’s ahead.

Rhule’s numbers at Nebraska this season

Matt Rhule’s third season at the helm of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2025 saw continued progress in the program’s rebuild. As of late November 2025, the team holds an overall record of 7 wins and 4 losses (7-4), with a conference record of 4-4 in the Big Ten.

Statistically, the offense has shown significant improvement, averaging 30.5 points per game (PPG) and 379.5 total yards per game, led by a passing offense that accounts for 242.6 yards per game.

The defense remains a strength, limiting opponents to just 21.5 PPG and 306.3 total yards per game, notably boasting the 2nd-best passing defense in the nation, allowing only 138.8 yards per game through the air. These figures highlight Rhule’s systematic approach, which has secured the team’s bowl eligibility and positioned them for a strong finish.

The trip to University Park ended in a 37–10 loss to the Nittany Lions, a result that could deliver a tough psychological blow as the regular season approaches its final stretch. But Rhule, someone who knows how to bounce back quickly, tried to motivate his players with an eye on what comes next.

“…but just a disappointing day. We don’t have a lot of time to worry about it, think about it. We’ve got a big game on Friday. Take this L and put it on me as a head coach. Credit to them. We have to move forward fast,” Rhule said via 247sports.com.

Next Friday, November 28, the Huskers will host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium in what could be a decisive game for the program—not only for a potential CFP berth, but also for Bowl eligibility.

Improving red-zone efficiency

The Huskers fell soundly to Penn State in a fast-paced, back-and-forth game where the visitors ultimately showed their biggest shortcomings in the red zone. Matt Rhule knows this is something they must address immediately with what’s ahead.

“That was disappointing. Two shots on third-and-1, fourth-and-1 (on the first series). Came to win. I thought we had good plays. Looked like we controlled the line of scrimmage early and I was fired up about it. You look at the end of the day, we had 300 yards of offense, which isn’t great but we also weren’t getting off the field great (on defense).

“At one point they had 15 first downs, we had 13 first downs. So it wasn’t like we couldn’t do anything offensively. We just didn’t come away with a lot of points. And when you’re down that much you’re having to for it as opposed to take points here and there. I thought it was a great plan early but obviously it didn’t go the way (we wanted).”

Looking ahead

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-4) have their sights locked on the annual rivalry showdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4) this Friday, November 28th. Beyond the battle for the Heroes Trophy, this season-ending contest carries immense weight for the Huskers: a victory is absolutely crucial to boost their resume and keep their slim but realistic hopes for a coveted College Football Playoff berth alive. All focus in Lincoln is on beating Iowa to finish the regular season strong and make a compelling case to the selection committee.

Among them is Emmett Johnson, who stood out as a key figure in the Huskers’ latest 28–21 win over UCLA. In fact, the explosive running back was singled out by his own head coach as a legitimate candidate to be one of the best players of the year.

“I personally believe Emmett Johnson should be in New York; I think he should be a Heisman candidate,” Rhule said during his press conference. “I think he should be a Doak Walker finalist, if not winner. He’s a first-team All-American.”

Nebraska currently holds a 7–3 record as it heads into a bye week, as Matt Rhule’s offense has proven to be one of the most impactful in all of the NCAAF. Up next on the horizon is Penn State, scheduled for November 22.

Johnson’s breakout season

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson is enjoying a breakout campaign and has become the undisputed engine of the Cornhuskers’ offense. The star back has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, currently ranking second nationally with 1,131 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

His dual-threat ability is also evident, contributing 300 receiving yards and three more scores through the air. Johnson’s spectacular play has powered the Huskers to their highest regular season win total since 2016 and earned him a spot as a Maxwell Award semifinalist.

In search of the College Football Playoff

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are positioning themselves for a potential College Football Playoff bid as they enter the final, critical stretch of the regular season. Following their upcoming bye week, the Huskers face a brutal pair of matchups that will define their season.

They first host a massive late-November showdown on November 22nd against the rival Penn State Nittany Lions. The regular season then concludes with a crucial home contest on November 28th against the always-tough Iowa Hawkeyes. Nebraska must run the table in this two-game gauntlet to impress the committee and secure its spot in the CFP conversation.

Still reeling from the events, the talented quarterback spoke out on social media, using a two-word message to convey his feelings about this shocking situation: “God’s Story,” Raiola reflected via his Instagram official account.

Matt Rhule’s team now faces one of its biggest challenges, having to navigate the remainder of the season without its top star, with only a few games left in the regular season.

The news no one wanted to hear

The Nebraska Cornhuskers‘ season has been dealt a major blow, as sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Raiola suffered a broken fibula in his lower right leg after being sacked in the third quarter of Saturday night’s loss to USC.

This significant blow immediately ends the College Football season for the starting signal-caller, who had completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards before his exit.

What’s next for Nebraska?

Nebraska’s bowl-eligible season now hinges on its ability to navigate a challenging final three games without star quarterback Dylan Raiola. True freshman TJ Lateef will be thrown into the fire as the Cornhuskers face a demanding road trip to Pasadena next week to take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl, followed by a fierce challenge on the road against Penn State.

The season then concludes with the annual rivalry showdown against Iowa back home in Lincoln. This difficult stretch—featuring two tough road contests and an intense rivalry game—will severely test the depth and resilience of Coach Matt Rhule’s squad.

The talented quarterback, one of the standout players this college football season, suffered a broken fibula during his last game and will miss at least the remainder of the season. A devastating blow for the Huskers and their aspirations.

The news was confirmed by college football insider Pete Thamel, who reported via his official X account (formerly Twitter), about this devastating blow to one of the programs with strong CFP goals.

“Sources: Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is out for the year with a broken fibula. He suffered the injury against USC on Saturday night,” the insider reported via @PeteThamel.

Rhule took no chances

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule made a tough, but ultimately principled, decision in the Cornhuskers’ heartbreaking loss to USC, pulling star quarterback Dylan Raiola after a third-quarter ankle injury.

While Raiola was reportedly desperate to re-enter the game with the score close, Rhule delivered a major admission on Dylan Raiola’s departure in Cornhuskers’ loss to USC, stating publicly that he refused to put his young signal-caller back on the field.

“I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do to put a guy out there who can’t run,” Rhule said, prioritizing Raiola’s long-term health and safety over a potential comeback win, even as the offense sputtered with the backup.

Replacing Raiola: Who will take the helm

With the devastating news that quarterback Dylan Raiola is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken fibula, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will now hand the reins of the offense to true freshman TJ Lateef.

The highly-touted backup was unexpectedly thrust into action against USC, and while Head Coach Matt Rhule praised his admirable effort, Lateef will face a steep learning curve leading a Power Five offense through the final stretch of the schedule, starting with a crucial road test next week. The immediate future of the Huskers’ attack now rests entirely on the shoulders of the inexperienced QB.

The talented QB suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter and had to be replaced by TJ Lateef. The primary backup could do little to break through the opposing defense, and the Huskers ultimately fell 21–17 at Memorial Stadium.

Speaking to the media after the game, Rhule was clear when addressing Raiola’s situation, stating that although the quarterback could have gone back in, he preferred to protect his health with the rest of the season in mind.

“From a medical perspective, they were like, ‘He can’t run,’” Rhule said. “I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do to put a guy out there who can’t run. …Really at the end of the day, I just don’t think you can put a guy out there who can’t defend himself or protect himself.

“The trainers didn’t want him to go out there, but they didn’t say, ‘No, he can’t.’ They just said he shouldn’t be out there. I told Dylan, ‘I love you too much to ask you to play when you’re hurt like this.”

Protecting Raiola for what’s ahead

Nebraska’s season outlook hinges entirely on the health of quarterback Dylan Raiola after the star suffered an ankle injury late in the loss to USC. Head Coach Matt Rhule confirmed Raiola could not run and was held out for his own protection, making his status questionable for a pivotal three-game slate to close the year.

The Huskers must now monitor their QB1 closely ahead of a difficult road trip to the Rose Bowl against UCLA next Saturday, followed by a demanding contest at Penn State, before returning home to face rival Iowa. A healthy Raiola is crucial if Nebraska hopes to secure a strong finish in a tough conference schedule.

TJ Lateef as the alternative

With the status of star QB Dylan Raiola uncertain for the upcoming road game against UCLA, all signs point to true freshman TJ Lateef taking the reins for the Huskers.

Head Coach Matt Rhule expressed confidence in Lateef, who replaced Raiola in the loss to USC. If Raiola is indeed sidelined, Lateef, a California native, will make his first career Big Ten start in the high-pressure environment of the Rose Bowl.

While it’s undeniable that the talent on this team is one of the reasons they entered the game with a 5-1 record, it was perhaps on the physical side where they struggled last weekend.

This was confirmed by Rhule himself, who took responsibility for the team’s preparation and acknowledged how their opponent clearly outperformed them physically.

“I did not have them prepared to be the more physical team,” the head coach said via Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon. This was reflected, among other things, in the nine sacks allowed on Dylan Raiola — a significant event for Nebraska this season.

A night to forget

The Minnesota Golden Gophers throttled Nebraska 24-6, securing the win by absolutely controlling the line of scrimmage. Minnesota’s ground game was relentless, chewing up yardage and clock while capitalizing on a surprisingly porous Nebraska run defense.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola and the Huskers’ offense struggled to find rhythm, largely due to the Gophers’ defensive front overwhelming a shaky offensive line that allowed nine sacks. The inability of the Cornhuskers’ defense to get stops against the run proved to be the ultimate difference-maker.

What does the future hold for Matt Rhule?

The coaching carousel is spinning wildly with reports linking Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule to the newly opened Penn State job. Rhule, a Penn State alum with strong ties to Nittany Lions Athletic Director Pat Kraft, has emerged as a top candidate and the odds-on favorite in early speculation following James Franklin’s exit.

While Rhule has publicly stressed that Nebraska is a “destination job” and has vowed to remain focused on his current team, his carefully worded statements have done little to quell the rumors, leaving the Husker faithful anxious as the Nittany Lions’ search for a new leader gains steam.

What’s next for the Huskers?

• vs Northwestern, October 25
• vs USC, November 1
• @ UCLA, November 8
• @ Penn State, November 22
• vs Iowa, November 28

Raiola and the Cornhuskers are having none of it, however. When asked about the prospect of Rhule skipping town and heading off for Penn State, the sophomore signal-caller needed less than five words to cancel out the noise in Nebraska.

“He ain’t going anywhere,” Raiola boldly stated on the rumors around Rhule, via On3 Sports. Raiola has never been one to sugarcoat his thoughts in college football. As his head coach’s loyalty is placed under the scope, the Huskers’ quarterback didn’t stutter in his statement.

Unfazed

With the No. 25 Cornhuskers gearing up for a crucial matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road, Raiola wasn’t having any of the outside buzz. Thus, he took it upon himself to clear up any doubt on Rhule and his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“[The rumors] don’t faze him at all,” Raiola added. “It’s just some people stirring things up. He’s as locked in as ever on this football game. I just had to make sure everybody knew that that’s our head coach and he’s staying right here.”

Back at it

Following Nebraska’s first road win of the 2025 NCAA season (though it won at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bearcats) over the Maryland Terrapins, Raiola and the Huskers must do it again in Minneapolis.

The matchup with the Golden Gophers is crucial in more ways than one. Nebraska enters the game on Friday at 5-1 (2-1 in the Big Ten). Meanwhile, Minnesota may boast a 4-2 record, but it shares the same mark as the Huskers within the conference.

On the rise

Raiola will look to maintain his red-hot form and build on his stellar campaign. So far, he has thrown for 138 completions (tied for 2nd in the Big Ten), 1,591 yards (5th), and 16 touchdown passes (2nd).

However, his five interceptions are tied for third-worst in the league, making it an area Rhule will surely want to address going forward. In tight matchups against conference opponents, limiting turnovers can be the difference between winning and losing. Moreover, those wins and losses could be the X-factor in keeping Rhule in Lincoln rather than considering a job in State College.

Rhule—currently guiding the 5-1 Cornhuskers through the Big Ten—is reportedly a frontrunner for the vacant job in State College. However, he made sure to kill the buzz with a concise statement. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola already draws plenty of attention to the program in Lincoln. The team will be better off if its head coach isn’t on the front cover, too.

“I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come,” Rhule commented, via The Athletic‘s Mitch Sherman. “I’m not going to talk about my contract here. I absolutely love it here. I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast.”

All options on the table

While Rhule’s statement is far from what most fans and the brass in Happy Valley would like to hear, the door isn’t completely shut. Still, the Nittany Lions are keeping their options open, with several potential replacements for Franklin surfacing across the NCAA. Currently unemployed or not, Penn State is exploring college football’s coaching carousel—leaving no stone unturned in the process.

Of course, there’s the financial side to the story, but the Nittany Lions don’t seem to worried about that. “If [Rhule] were to resign before Jan. 1, he or his new employer would owe Nebraska $5 million,” as reported by Newsday.com. Though a seemingly low price considering Penn State is already footing a very hefty bill on Franklin’s buyout, it’s still something to keep an eye on.

Might be a matter of time

Rhule made it crystal clear his sight is entirely fixed on leading Nebraska through the 2025 college football season. So far, he’s had much success rebuilding the Huskers’ football program. Coming off a nail-biting 34-31 win on the road against the Maryland Terrapins, Nebraska is entering a short week before facing the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis on Friday, October 17th.

As long as Penn State remains acephalous, without a head coach signed for the long term, Rhule cannot expect the noise around him to be silenced. At the end of the day, he’s made his appreciation for his alma mater clear. Sooner or later, the writing on the wall may become reality, and the story could come full circle for Rhule and the Nittany Lions.

While athletic performance is one of the most crucial factors for achieving good results, the human element also plays a significant role. Interpersonal relationships are often decisive, which is why the QB and his head coach must maintain the best possible terms.

In a recent interview with Hail Varsity, Raiola opened up about his relationship with Rhule in recent times, describing it as a strong bond that’s giving many in the program reason to be optimistic.

“Our relationship is special,” he said. “Right now, me and him are like closer than we’ve ever been, and it’s pretty unique. I never thought I’d have a relationship like this with the head coach, especially in college.

“But, at the time [of my commitment], it was, ‘Come in. Earn your stripes. Earn your teammates’ trust and respect, and we could do something very hard but very worth it.’ His Year 3, my Year 2, we’re ready to go. It’s exciting.”

Rhule’s clear objective

The Nebraska Cornhuskers know what it means to win a National Championship, though recent history has seen that goal slip further from reach. Matt Rhule, a coach with plenty of experience, understands that it’s time to bring the program back into the national spotlight.

“I want to get to the College Football Playoff,” he said on the first episode of House Rhules. “I mean, that’s why we’re doing all this, right? Like, you’re doing all of this to have a chance to get to the College Football Playoff. And so I think what’s really unique, what’s interesting is, like, you look at Ohio State last year, my boy Ryan Day, former Temple Owl Ryan Day, right … When was the last time you lose the last game of the regular season you can make it into the playoffs? It’s never happened before. You can finish 10-2 … and the great job he did of getting him into the playoffs.

“And so for me, what I saw last year was like, hey, just get your guys to the tournament. So that’s our goal. Man, like, I mean, we want to be a great team. We want to win every game, we want to make people proud. We want to play the game the right way. There’s a lot of other things, but, you know, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that. We want to go to the CFP, because once you get in, man, who knows what can happen? It’s the team that’s the hottest that makes it happen.”

Nebraska’s first challenges

Aiming to start the upcoming NCAAF season on the right foot, these are the first challenges the Cornhuskers will have to overcome if they hope to emerge as contenders.

• vs Cincinnati, August 28
• vs Akron, September 6
• vs Houston Christian, September 13
• vs Michigan, September 20
• vs Michigan State, October 4

In recent statements to the media, the veteran coach shared his stance on the possibility of expanding the number of programs eligible for the Playoffs. Rhule did not express opposition to the idea and appeared open to the potential change.

“The more spots the better, man. Make that thing 40 and let’s go,” Matt Rhule said. “I think, again, you’re talking about a league that we play nine conference games where some others play eight. So I think that puts you at an automatic disadvantage.”

“I think the more spots, I think if they do go to where it’s guaranteed, hey, you get four at-large bids if you can play your way into those things, you just think about playing meaningful games in Memorial Stadium in November, December and January, where the weather starts to be a real factor,” he also added.

“We play UCLA every year, the first thing I do is say where is it? When is it? I want it to be as cold as possible. Now they’re smart, (UCLA and USC), they play each other at the end of the year so they’re kind of protected from some cold-weather games. But as we start thinking about the College Football Playoff, yeah, I want to play those games in the midwest, in the northeast, in the north. I want to play them in cold areas to help the Big Ten.”

The value of playing in College Football

It’s well known that college football is one of the most balanced and competitive tournaments in the sport. Matt Rhule is fully aware of this, which is why he stated that expanding the number of playoff spots is a good alternative—especially considering the depth of talent across so many programs currently in the league.

“So the more spots, the better,” the HC said. “We’re playing in a really, really tough league. We’re playing really, really good teams. And you know what? If you play in this league you deserve a chance to get to the postseason and see what you can do.”