It’s been a wild ride for the Sea of Red recently. If you’re looking for the score to Nebraska football game from their most recent outing, the number probably isn't what you wanted to see on your phone screen. The Nebraska Cornhuskers ended their 2025 campaign with a 44-22 loss to No. 15 Utah in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.
Honestly, it started out like a dream. On New Year's Eve at Allegiant Stadium, Nebraska actually looked like they might run away with it. They scored on their first two possessions. It was 14-7 Huskers after the first quarter. You could feel the optimism in the air.
Then, the wheels fell off.
Utah’s quarterback, Devon Dampier, basically took over the game. He accounted for five total touchdowns. By the time the second half rolled around, the Huskers were gassed. Utah put up 535 total yards of offense, and Nebraska just couldn't find an answer for that kind of firepower. It’s a tough way to finish, but that's the reality of where things stand right now.
Breaking Down the Score to Nebraska Football Game in the Las Vegas Bowl
To really understand how we got to that 44-22 final, you have to look at the momentum shifts. Nebraska’s 14-7 lead was built on some gritty plays. We saw an eight-yard touchdown catch from Jacory Barney Jr. and a massive 12-play, 75-yard drive that included a gutsy 4th-and-1 conversion by Kwinten Ives.
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But Utah is a machine. They responded with a 74-yard drive to tie it. Then they hit a field goal. Then Dampier scored again. Suddenly, it was 24-14 at halftime.
The third quarter was the real killer. Utah came out and marched 75 yards in 10 plays to make it 31-14. They were averaging 7.5 yards per play at one point. Nebraska’s defense, led by guys like Riley Van Poppel (who actually graded out pretty well with a 70.3 PFF score), just couldn't get off the field.
Why the 44-22 Final Score Hurts So Much
It isn't just about the loss. It’s the trend. Nebraska finished the year 7-6 overall. That’s a winning record, which is progress, sure. But they ended the season on a three-game losing streak.
- A 37-10 blowout at Penn State.
- A frustrating 40-16 loss to Iowa (again).
- The 44-22 bowl game collapse.
Matt Rhule is in his third year. The expectations were high after a 7-3 start to the season. People were talking about 9 or 10 wins. Instead, the Huskers hit a wall in November and December.
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A Look Back at the 2025 Schedule and Results
If you’re tracking the score to Nebraska football game across the whole season, it was a tale of two halves. The early season was dominant. They crushed Akron 68-0 and handled Houston Christian 59-7. Even the 30-27 loss to Michigan in September felt like a "moral victory" because the team played so hard.
Then came October. Winning at Maryland (34-31) and beating Northwestern (28-21) felt like the program was finally turning the corner. Even the loss to USC was close (21-17). But the depth just wasn't there when the injuries started piling up in the late fall.
Critical Season Scores for Nebraska:
- Aug 28: Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17 (The Arrowhead Stadium opener)
- Oct 4: Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27 (Homecoming win)
- Nov 8: Nebraska 28, UCLA 21 (The last win of the season)
- Dec 31: Utah 44, Nebraska 22 (The Las Vegas Bowl)
What Most People Get Wrong About Nebraska's Defense
There is a narrative that the defense fell apart. Kinda true, but kinda not. Looking at the PFF grades from the bowl game, some individual performances were actually solid. Riley Van Poppel and Ashton Murphy put up decent numbers in the trenches.
The problem was the explosive plays. Utah had 310 passing yards and 225 rushing yards. When you give up 535 yards, you aren't winning many games, regardless of how many tackles for loss you record. Defensive coordinator John Butler has his work cut out for him heading into the 2026 offseason.
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What’s Next for the Huskers?
The 2025 season is in the books. Now, the focus shifts to the transfer portal and the 2026 recruiting class. With a 7-6 record, Matt Rhule has shown he can get Nebraska to a bowl game, but the next step—winning those big late-season games—is the hurdle that still looms large.
If you're following the score to Nebraska football game into the next season, the schedule doesn't get any easier. They open 2026 against Ohio, followed by Bowling Green and North Dakota. The real test will be the Big Ten slate, where they have to face the likes of Oregon and Washington.
Actionable Insights for Husker Fans:
- Watch the Portal: Nebraska needs depth on the defensive line and explosive playmakers at wide receiver.
- Spring Game: Keep an eye on the quarterback battle. TJ Lateef showed flashes in the bowl game (182 yards, 2 TDs), but consistency is key.
- Season Tickets: Demand is still high despite the late-season slide; Memorial Stadium will likely keep its sellout streak alive in 2026.
The 22-44 score against Utah is a bitter pill, but it serves as a benchmark. It shows exactly how far the Huskers are from the elite teams in the country. Now, we wait for spring ball to see how they respond.