If you were looking for a fairytale ending to Matt Rhule’s second season in Lincoln, the final score for the nebraska football game against Utah probably felt like a cold bucket of water to the face. 44-22. That’s the number etched into the history books now.
It’s January 2026, and while the sting of that New Year’s Eve loss in Las Vegas is still fresh for the Sea of Red, the context matters way more than the final tally on the Allegiant Stadium scoreboard. Nebraska finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record. Honestly, if you told a Husker fan three years ago they’d be complaining about a winning record and a bowl appearance, they might have hugged you. But here we are, dissecting a game where the wheels didn't just fall off—they basically evaporated in the desert heat.
The Las Vegas Bowl Breakdown: Utah 44, Nebraska 22
The game started like a dream. Nebraska actually led 14-7 after the first quarter. TJ Lateef was looking sharp, finding Jacory Barney Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown that had Husker Twitter convinced a blowout was coming. Mekhi Nelson was hitting holes. The energy was electric.
Then, Devon Dampier happened.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Utah’s quarterback turned into a one-man wrecking crew, accounting for five total touchdowns. By the time the third quarter rolled around, Nebraska’s defense, which had been the backbone of the team all year, looked gassed. The Utes went on a scoring tear that left the Big Red trailing 38-14.
The final score for the nebraska football game reflected a reality many were scared to admit: depth is still an issue. Nebraska outgained the Utes in the first fifteen minutes, but Utah’s 535 total yards by the end of the night told the real story.
Why the 2025 Season Felt Different
Even with the bowl loss, the 2025 campaign was a massive pivot point. Think about the wins that got them to Vegas.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
- The Akron Massacre: A 68-0 win that felt like the 90s.
- The Maryland Nail-biter: A 34-31 road win where the team actually finished a game in the fourth quarter.
- The UCLA Win: Going into the Rose Bowl and coming out with a 28-21 victory.
These weren't accidents. Rhule has built a culture that expects to be in these games. However, the late-season slide was brutal. Losing the final three games—Penn State, Iowa, and then Utah—means Nebraska enters the 2026 offseason with a lot of "what if" questions. The 40-16 loss to Iowa on Black Friday particularly hurt. It felt like the same old ghosts haunting Memorial Stadium.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Spring Game and Beyond
Coach Matt Rhule isn't waiting around for the 2026 season to start. He just announced that the Red-White Spring Game is coming back on March 28, 2026. This is way earlier than usual. Why? Because the transfer portal has changed everything.
Rhule basically said that with the new calendar, he wants his guys in the "football mindset" immediately. Winter workouts have already started as of mid-January. They are moving at an "accelerated rate" because, frankly, the Big Ten isn't getting any easier.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
Transfer Portal News
The roster is already shifting. Just yesterday, Nebraska secured a commitment from Owen Stoudmire, a massive defensive tackle from Boston College. He’s 6-foot-1 and nearly 300 pounds. Nebraska needs that bulk. In the Utah game, the interior defensive line got pushed around in the second half. Stoudmire is a "plug-and-play" veteran who should help ensure the next score for the nebraska football game against a heavy-hitting opponent looks a bit different.
The Basketball Distraction
While the football team is grinding in the weight room, the Nebraska Men's Basketball team is currently ranked No. 8 in the country. They are 17-0. It's wild. Today, January 17, they are playing Northwestern. This winning streak is actually the best start in program history. For a "football school," seeing the hoops team dominate the Big Ten is a weird, beautiful distraction while we wait for spring practice to start in late February.
What Fans Need to Know for 2026
If you’re tracking the score for the nebraska football game and looking for progress, keep your eyes on the quarterback room. TJ Lateef showed flashes of brilliance in the Las Vegas Bowl, but he also struggled when the pocket collapsed.
- Spring Ball Starts Early: Late February is the new kickoff.
- Roster Turnover: Expect more portal additions on the offensive line.
- Schedule Difficulty: The 2026 slate includes heavyweights like Ohio State and Oregon.
The 44-22 loss to Utah wasn't the end of the world, but it was a reminder. Nebraska is "back" in the sense that they are a winning program again, but they aren't "back" to the elite level yet.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official Husker athletics site for the finalized spring roster. If you’re planning to attend the March 28 spring game, tickets usually go on sale in early February. Given the hype around Rhule's third year, expect a sellout even with the earlier date. Watch the film from the Las Vegas Bowl one last time—not to suffer, but to see where the gaps are. Those gaps are exactly what Rhule is trying to fill right now in the weight room.