Matt Rhule says Nebraska has the pieces for year-three turnaround
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is vocally confident in his 2025 team. During Big Ten Media Days, Rhule said he isn’t typically so forthcoming about his belief, but he wants this team to hear that he believes in them.
The Huskers’ head coach attended his third Big Ten Media Day in Las Vegas. Husker quarterback Dylan Raiola, offensive lineman Henry Lutovsky, and defensive backs DeShon Singleton and Marques Buford represented Nebraska at the event.
Rhule joined the Big Ten Network to break down his sophomore quarterback, new coordinators, year three, and much more. Here is a rundown of his comments.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FIRST WEEK OF HOL FOR $1!
Rhule is confident in year three
***Rhule said he “absolutely” feels like his team has the pieces to make a huge jump this season. Rhule’s Temple and Baylor teams took a massive jump in year three. But the head coach reminds his players to enjoy and attack the moment.
Nothing from the past matters, Rhule said. Rhule’s year-three track record doesn’t matter. What last year’s team did or didn’t do doesn’t matter. He wants his players focused on making a play in the moment, not worrying about past outcomes.
“I think the big thing about year three has been that they know what to expect,” he said. “We’re not gonna teach anymore. It’s time to go perform. And these guys are great representatives of that. They know exactly what we need to do. And I think they’re confident and ready to go.”
***The coach constantly says, “The standard is the standard.” His Huskers are living it now. They are going above and beyond the standard. He said, “If you want to be great, go be great.”
In year one, Rhule told his team the standard. In year two, he encouraged it. Now, it’s time to let them go out and execute.
Rhule Report: A full recap from Matt Rhule’s side press conference at Big Ten Media Days
***Nebraska’s season came down to five one-score losses. Rhule said the Huskers just needed to get better. Sometimes they were outmatched. Their opponents were just bigger, stronger or better. So NU ate, lifted and recruited.
Secondly, he wants his players to be excited to have a chance to make the game-winning play. He loves that Raiola wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game. He wants to chance to be the hero. Rhule needs all of his players to have that mentality.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
ESPN acquires RedZone
$1 Billion agreement
- 2Hot
College Football Playoff
Ranking Top 32 teams for 2025
- 3Trending
Tim Brando
Ranks Top 15 CFB teams for 2025
- 4
Key Saban Deputy
Leaving Crimson Tide
- 5
Most improved teams
Top 12 for 2025
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
***Raiola, who is heading into his sophomore season, has become a better leader this offseason. Rhule said that Raiola was a leader last season because he was a quarterback. But his teammates watched him work hard, put his body on the line, and never throw anyone under the bus.
Now, he is a leader because his teammates respect him.
Raiola had the third-highest pressure rate in the Big Ten last season. His mistakes typically came under pressure. Rhule said the QB was trying too hard to make an outstanding play. New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is about making routine plays and moving the sticks.
With a year of experience and an off-season with Holgorsen, Rhule is very confident Raiola will be great in 2025.
***Holgorsen runs an air raid offense. Rhule said the biggest thing about the former head coach is how he is all about execution.
“He demands execution from the guys,” Rhule said on BTN. “He’s not going to put too many plays in, so you don’t have a lot of plays, but your guys have to make plays.”
“I think hiring him is really one of the best things I’ve ever done as a coach because he’s a friend of mine. As a former head coach, he can help me.”
