If you were looking for a fairytale ending to Matt Rhule’s third year in Lincoln, the Nebraska football game score from New Year’s Eve probably felt like a cold bucket of water. 44-22. That was the final tally at Allegiant Stadium as the No. 15 Utah Utes essentially bullied the Huskers for four quarters.
It was a weird night in Vegas. Honestly, the atmosphere was electric early on, but by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the "Sea of Red" had gone a bit quiet.
The Numbers Behind the 44-22 Loss to Utah
Let’s look at the box score because it tells a story of "what if." Nebraska actually jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Mekhi Nelson took off on a 38-yard touchdown run that made everyone think, Okay, maybe this is the breakthrough. Then, the defense held its own for a while, and the Huskers were even up 14-7 after a jet sweep to Jacory Barney Jr.
But then Devon Dampier happened.
Utah’s quarterback was basically a human highlight reel. He accounted for five total touchdowns. By the time he was done, he’d racked up 310 yards through the air and another 148 on the ground. Nebraska’s defense, which had been the backbone of the team all season, looked gapped and tired. You've gotta give credit to Utah’s offensive line—they paved the way for 535 total yards.
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A Quick Glance at the 2025 Regular Season Scores
Before the bowl game thumping, Nebraska had a rollercoaster of a season. They finished 7-6 overall, which is technically progress, but the way it ended felt heavy. Here is how the back half of the schedule shook out:
- at UCLA: Nebraska 28, Bruins 21. (A gritty road win that got them bowl-eligible).
- at Penn State: Nittany Lions 37, Nebraska 10. (A reality check in Happy Valley).
- vs. Iowa: Hawkeyes 40, Nebraska 16. (The Black Friday nightmare).
- Las Vegas Bowl: Utah 44, Nebraska 22.
The Iowa game was particularly brutal. Losing 40-16 at home to your rival to close out the regular season isn't how you want to build momentum. It felt like the wheels were coming off a bit, which carried over into the bowl prep.
The Freshman Factor: TJ Lateef and Dylan Raiola
The biggest conversation around any Nebraska football game score these days usually starts and ends with the quarterback room. Dylan Raiola started the bulk of the season, but we saw a lot of true freshman TJ Lateef in the bowl game.
Lateef showed flashes. He had a 7-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter where he basically hurdled a defender to get into the end zone. It was a "wow" moment, but it came when the game was already out of reach. He finished the night with a two-point conversion pass, too.
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Basically, Nebraska is in this spot where they have elite talent at the most important position, but the surrounding pieces—specifically the run defense and the offensive line's consistency—just aren't at that "Top 15" level yet.
Why the Defense Struggled
John Butler’s defense has been praised all year. They came into the bowl game ranked 2nd nationally in pass defense. But Utah didn't care about the stats. They exploited the 3-3-5 look by running straight at it.
The Utes averaged nearly seven yards per carry. That’s a "get off the field" stat. When you can't stop the run, your elite pass defense doesn't matter because the other team never has to throw into a disadvantageous situation.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
The final 7-6 record is a winning season. That’s the first one for Nebraska since 2016. It's a big deal, even if the 44-22 Nebraska football game score in the bowl makes it feel less like a victory.
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Matt Rhule has the recruiting trail on fire. We're seeing guys like Williams Nwaneri making plays on the defensive line, and the skill positions are getting faster. But the Big Ten is getting meaner. With Oregon, USC, and Washington in the mix now, a "pretty good" Nebraska team is going to finish 7-5 or 8-4 every year. To get to 10 wins, the line play has to evolve.
Actionable Insights for Husker Fans
If you're tracking the progress of this program, don't just look at the final score. Look at the trenches.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Nebraska needs immediate help at defensive tackle to stop the kind of bleeding we saw against Utah and Iowa.
- Quarterback Competition: Keep an eye on the spring game. Lateef’s performance in Vegas earned him a real shot to push Raiola for the starting job in 2026.
- Third Down Efficiency: In the losses to Penn State and Utah, Nebraska failed to convert on 3rd-and-short consistently. That is the barometer for the 2026 offense.
The 2025 season provided a blueprint. It showed that Nebraska can beat the middle-of-the-pack teams like Maryland and Northwestern, but they still have a massive gap to close before they can trade blows with the heavyweights. The 44-22 score wasn't a fluke; it was a measuring stick.