Pat McAfee makes bold statement amid Matt Rhule, Nebraska appearance on WWE Monday Night Raw

WWE Monday Night Raw was live inside the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska this week. Naturally, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was invited ringside to watch the action first-hand.

This included head coach Matt Rhule, quarterback Dylan Raiola and running back Emmett Johnson, who were all shown on the broadcast during the middle of the show. Pat McAfee, who does color commentary for the WWE’s flagship program, made a bold proclamation before the camera panned to Otis and the Alpha Academy in the ring.

“We’re in Omaha, Nebraska and we’re thankful for this man, coach Matt Rhule, college football icon,” McAfee said. “Dylan Raiola and Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team are here tonight. The boys are beloved. They got hot in the second half of the season. … It feels like they’re all the way back.”

.@CoachMattRhule and the Nebraska football team are here tonight 👏 #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/flhoEeSMK3

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 6, 2025

McAfee’s broadcast partner, Michael Cole, a Syracuse grad, praised Rhule for “turning that program around.” The trio of Cornhuskers received a welcoming ovation for the crown on-hand in the arena.

Nebraska is coming off a season where they finished 7-6 overall, which concluded with a 20-15 victory over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. It was the first appearance in the postseason for the Cornhuskers since 2016 — snapping a seven-season drought. Contrary to McAfee’s statement, Nebraksa was 5-1 to begin the season, but finished 2-5 after that, including a four-game losing streak during Big Ten play.

Despite this, 2024 was largely considered a success for two under Matt Rhule’s leadership, as his program has steadily improved since he took over. After winning five games in 2023, they won two more the next season and will hope to continue that trend, or better this fall.

Of course, that success will likely be determined by how Dyan Raiola performs under center during his second full season as quarterback of the Nebraska program. In 2024 as a true freshman, Raiola completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

For Emmett Johnson, he has been a steady presence in the Nebraska backfield since arriving on campus. He’s compiled just over 1,000 rushing yards during his first two seasons with the program, along with three total touchdowns. He turned into Raiola’s top receiving back as well, scoring an addition two times through the air.

Nebraska will kick off its 2025 regular season against the Big 12’s Cincinnati Bearcats. That matchup will take place inside GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.