If you’re a Nebraska fan, you probably spent the last few months of 2025 with your head in your hands. It’s the Husker way lately. You get that spark of hope, the kind that makes you think maybe, just maybe, Matt Rhule has finally cracked the code, and then November happens. Honestly, looking back at the results of nebraska football game matchups from this past season, it’s a rollercoaster that mostly ended in a freefall.
The Huskers finished 7-6. On paper, that's progress. It’s the most wins this program has seen since 2016. They actually went to a bowl game for the first time since the Obama administration was in office. But man, the way it ended felt like a punch to the gut. After starting 5-1 and looking like a legitimate Big Ten threat, Nebraska lost four of their last six games. They basically limped into the postseason and then got dismantled in Las Vegas.
The Dylan Raiola Era: Highs, Lows, and a Final Thud
Everything in Lincoln revolves around Dylan Raiola. He’s the guy. For nine games, he looked like the savior everyone promised. He was completing 72.4% of his passes—a school record—and throwing for 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns. He was efficient, he was poised, and he led a massive comeback against Maryland in October that had fans ready to build him a statue.
Then came the USC game on November 1st.
Raiola went down with a season-ending injury early in the second half. Nebraska lost that game 21-17, and everything sort of unraveled from there. Without their star quarterback, the offense lost its identity. TJ Lateef stepped in, and while the kid has heart, it just wasn't the same. The spark was gone.
✨ Don't miss: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
A November to Forget
November is supposed to be when teams peak. For Matt Rhule’s Huskers, it was a disaster. Nebraska is now 2-10 in November games under Rhule. That’s a stat that keeps people up at night in Lincoln.
- At UCLA (Nov 8): A rare bright spot. Nebraska managed to escape the Rose Bowl with a 28-21 win. It was ugly, but a win is a win.
- At Penn State (Nov 22): Total collapse. The Nittany Lions didn't just win; they bullied the Huskers in a 37-10 blowout.
- Vs Iowa (Nov 28): The Heroes Trophy remained in Iowa City. Nebraska led for a bit, but the second half was a 40-16 nightmare. Iowa scored 24 unanswered points and a safety after Jacory Barney muffed a punt. It was the most lopsided loss to Iowa since 2017.
What Really Happened With the Results of Nebraska Football Game in the Postseason?
Everyone was excited for the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year's Eve. It was a chance to end on a high note against No. 15 Utah. For about fifteen minutes, it looked great. Nebraska took a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. Mekhi Nelson was ripping off big runs, and the defense was flying around.
Then the wheels fell off.
Utah, led by Devon Dampier, went on a 37-point tear. Nebraska’s defense, which had been the backbone of the team all year, just couldn't get off the field. Dampier finished with five total touchdowns—three on the ground and two through the air. The final results of nebraska football game in 2025 was a 44-22 loss that left a sour taste in everyone's mouth heading into the 2026 offseason.
🔗 Read more: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
Utah outgained Nebraska 535 to 343. Between the second and third quarters, the Huskers were held to a measly 40 yards of total offense. It was a stark reminder of how far this program still has to go to compete with the elite.
The Reality Check
Look, 7-6 isn't the end of the world. Matt Rhule has improved the win total in each of his three seasons, going from five wins to seven. He’s recruiting at a high level. But the frustration is real. Rhule himself called the Iowa loss "unacceptable." He knows that moral victories don't pay the bills in the Big Ten.
The defense showed it can be elite at times, but they broke down when it mattered most late in the year. The running game found a spark with Emmett Johnson—who had a career-best 217 yards against Iowa—but the consistency just isn't there yet.
Moving Forward Into 2026
If you're looking for the next steps for this program, it's pretty clear. First, Dylan Raiola has to get healthy. The entire ceiling of this team depends on his right arm. Second, they have to find a way to finish. You can't keep collapsing in November if you want to be taken seriously.
💡 You might also like: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
To turn these 7-6 seasons into 9-3 or 10-2 campaigns, Nebraska needs to do three specific things:
- Develop Offensive Line Depth: Raiola was sacked too often before his injury. They need a wall, not a screen door.
- Fix the Special Teams Blunders: Muffed punts and controversial safety calls cost them the Iowa game. These are self-inflicted wounds that elite teams don't make.
- Find a "Closer" Mentality: Whether it's the coaching or the conditioning, Nebraska loses steam in the fourth quarter of big games.
The 2025 season was a step forward, but it felt like a stumble. The fans are patient, but that patience has a shelf life. 2026 needs to be the year where the results of nebraska football game matchups actually reflect the hype.
Keep an eye on the spring portal. Rhule is likely to be aggressive in finding more weapons for Raiola and more bulk for the defensive interior. The talent is there; now the results just need to catch up.