Nebraska Football 2025: Honest Reflections on a Season of Disappointment and Hope

The 2025 Nebraska Huskers football season ended not with a bang, but with the uncomfortable silence that follows back-to-back blowout losses. A 7-5 record—bookended by embarrassing defeats to Penn State and Iowa—left fans questioning everything from Matt Rhule’s coaching hires to the program’s trajectory in the Big Ten.

Yet as winter settles over the Midwest and the holiday season brings families together, perhaps it’s time for a more measured reflection on where Nebraska football actually stands.

The Coaching Carousel Spins Again

The most significant development of the offseason has been the departure of defensive coordinator John Butler. The final straw came in the Iowa game, where Nebraska inexplicably ran a three-man front inside the 10-yard line—a decision that epitomized the defensive struggles that plagued the Huskers all season. Butler’s replacement represents Rhule’s acknowledgment that changes were necessary, and the upcoming bowl game against Utah offers the new staff an invaluable evaluation opportunity.

The offensive line woes that surfaced against early-season opponents demanded action as well. When your offensive line can’t generate push against mid-tier competition, you have a fundamental problem that requires immediate correction.

Emmett Johnson: A Bright Spot Worth Celebrating

Amidst the disappointment, Emmett Johnson emerged as a legitimate star. His performance recalled the great Nebraska running backs of previous eras—players who could take over games and carry a team on their shoulders. Johnson’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft is bittersweet, but his success provides a crucial recruiting tool. The question now becomes whether Nebraska can leverage his breakout season to attract similar talent.

The comparison to Ndamukong Suh’s era is instructive. When Suh dominated college football in 2009, Nebraska failed to capitalize on that success by recruiting additional elite defensive linemen. The program cannot repeat that mistake with running backs.

Looking Forward, Not Backward

There’s a tendency in modern college football discourse—particularly on social media—to beat coaches and programs over the head with past failures rather than evaluating current trajectory. Matt Rhule is making changes. He’s addressing weaknesses. The Utah bowl game, while likely to be challenging against a 10-2 team that excels at running the ball, presents an opportunity for evaluation rather than just another potential loss.

Nebraska athletics beyond football actually thrived in 2025. Big Ten baseball champions. Ranked and undefeated women’s basketball. A volleyball program that remains elite despite falling short of a national title for the third consecutive year.

The foundation exists. The question is whether Rhule can build upon it. Merry Christmas, Husker Nation—and Go Big Red.