Matt Rhule reflects on what Nebraska accomplished in 2024

The second season of the Matt Rhule era at Nebraska was a success, as the Cornhuskers posted a 7-5 record and won their first bowl game since 2015. The ‘Huskers held off Boston College 20-15 to win the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl, heading into the offseason with a major win.

The sleeping giant that is Nebraska hasn’t recorded a 10-win season since 2012, but Rhule seems to have his program on the right track to get back to that mark. He joined ESPN’s Greg McElroy this week to reflect on the 2024 season.

“I think the biggest thing was just kind of proof of concept,” Rhule said. “For the guys that were there to come down the stretch and get that big win over Wisconsin; which you know it’s been 12 years since we last beat Wisconsin. We beat Wisconsin in convincing fashion. To have some guys and coaches kind of go in the portal and leave and the guys that really want to be here stick around and go to the bowl game and win. It could be difficult to keep working so hard, but I think getting that win and getting that bowl win was like ‘yeah, I could see it.”

Freshman Dylan Raiola commanded the quarterback position last season, passing for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Expectations remain high for Raiola, who has received Patrick Mahomes comparisons (mostly due to the fact that the two look like brothers).

“I think going back to Temple and Baylor, I always felt like it was the first game of the next year,” Rhule said about bowl games. “Football’s a game of competition. We spend a lot of time and we even have a committee determine who goes to the Playoff. We’re really the only sport like that. You try and seed that team’s better than that team, but it’s a game of competition. It’s a game of achievement. Two teams go out there and it’s not the better team, it’s the team that plays the best. So being a part of the bowl game in Yankee Stadium, being in New York City, was amazing. I think bowls are awesome and I watch every single one that I can. I love seeing people compete and play the game I love.”

Prior to taking over at Nebraska, Rhule compiled a 47-43 record at Baylor and Temple with a win in the 2018 Texas Bowl. In his two seasons in Lincoln, the ‘Huskers are 12-13.