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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Big Red Exhale! Bowl-Bound Nebraska Reclaims Its DNA From Wisconsin

Appointment of Holgorsen to OC shows Rhule’s courage, determination

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Aug 31
Aug 31

By Rock Westfall

Since Nebraska’s 27-20 home loss to UCLA on Nov. 2, the weight of the world has been on the shoulders of Cornhusker head coach Matt Rhule. 

Nebraska’s Great Communicator and Preacher of the Football Pulpit was much more somber in the days that followed that debacle. Gone were the sunny sermons and Rhule’s positive personality. The very real possibility of blowing a bowl berth in Nebraska’s final five games was eating Rhule alive. But to his credit, he picked himself up and forced change.

Following the UCLA loss, Rhule vowed he would do anything necessary to lead Nebraska into a bowl game. He saw a stale program and stagnant offense and knew he had to give his team shock therapy to get them across the goal line. By hiring Dana Holgorsen as the new offensive coordinator, Rhule saved the season and his program.

Nebraska routed the Wisconsin Badgers 44-25 on Saturday, earning its sixth win and first bowl berth since 2016. It was the Huskers’ most complete game and best performance of the Rhule era.

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Rhule’s courage and determination to hire a strong and dynamic personality like Holgorsen is the ultimate demonstration of his commitment to winning. And now he and his program will reap the rewards of such a brilliant, gutsy gamble. 

Dana Delivers Big Red From Disaster 

Nebraska amassed 473 total yards against a respectable Wisconsin defense. Most importantly and impressively, it made its first serious commitment to sustaining the run this season. Nebraska totaled 180 rushing yards on 36 carries for 5.0-yard-per-rush.

Holgorsen unleashed Emmett Johnson, who ran for 113 yards on 16 carries while catching six passes for 85 yards. Johnson thrilled the crowd with his spin moves and speed. Meanwhile, battering ram Dante Dowdell added 41 yards on ten carries with three touchdowns. Additionally, Holgorsen used the Heinrich Haarberg package for the first TD of the game. Haarberg, Nebraska’s run-oriented backup quarterback, powered into the endzone to assert Nebraska’s quest for a bowl-clinching win.

Holgorsen often used two-back sets and power formations from the glory days of Nebraska lore. The reliable running game enabled quarterback Dylan Raiola to have his best performance since the Colorado game.

Dylan Deals With Confidence and Poise

For the first time since the Colorado win, Raiola looked confident, polished, and as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself. He finished 28 for 38 for 293 yards and a TD with no interceptions. His play was assertive, and his leadership was contagious. Gone were the looks of befuddlement and hesitant play. 

Given the support of effective running and a coordinator who simplifies the game plan, Raiola shined and proved why he was such a coveted prospect.

Raiola’s favorite target was Jacory Barney, who caught nine passes for 85 yards. The freshman had his best day as a Husker and flashed the potential for bigger things in the future.

Special Day for Special Teams  

The Nebraska kicking and return teams have transformed from a liability to a strength this season. Barney set the tone with a 45-yard return on the opening kickoff, which set up Nebraska’s first touchdown.

John Hohl was 3 for 3 on field goals and is 8 for 8 in his most recent four games. Late in the first half, the kickoff team forced a fumble that set up Hohl for a 37-yard field goal and a 24-10 halftime lead.

Punter Brian Buschini continues to be one of the best players on the team. Buschini, who also handles kickoffs, averaged 50.5 yards on his two punts against Wisconsin and is averaging 46.3 yards per punt on the season.

Show me good kicking and return teams and I’ll show you a good coach and program. After a terrible start to the season, Rhule’s belief in Hohl and coordinator Ed Foley is paying dividends.  

Blackshirts Good When It Mattered

The Nebraska defense was not dominant, but it was a key contributor to the win. Following a Wisconsin first quarter fumble recovery on the Nebraska 17 in a 7-7 game, the Blackshirts held and Wisconsin missed a field goal. The personality of the game was never the same after that stand.

To begin the third quarter, Nebraska held Wisconsin to a three-and-out, followed by Hohl’s 45-yard field goal to expand the Big Red’s lead to 27-10.

While the Blackshirts gave up some big plays, they made multiple key stops when it mattered most to contribute to a vital win.

Wisconsin Surrenders Its Nebraska DNA Back to the Big Red  

The Wisconsin program was built from the ground up by Nebraska alum and former Husker linebacker Barry Alvarez. He transformed the Badgers into regular Rose Bowl contenders and perennial bowl participants using the Nebraska model founded by Bob Devaney of physical football, strong defense, and polished fundamentals.

But since that fateful day of October 2, 2022, when Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh fired his successful head coach, UW favorite son, Madison native and former Badger QB and OC, Paul Chryst, things have never been the same. Subsequently, McIntosh hired Luke Fickell, who has proven to be an odd fit and fish out of water.

McIntosh willfully surrendered Wisconsin’s identity and its advantages. McIntosh and Fickell had a vision of transforming Wisconsin into something it was never meant to be. They tried a personality change that went against the grain of what made UW so successful. Last week, Fickell gave up on the ill-conceived Dairy Raid offense and fired his offensive coordinator.

Now what? The Badgers are apparently going to return to the Chryst system, thus having changed coaches for nothing more than an ill-fated hallucination that had no serious shot at succeeding.

On Saturday, Wisconsin surrendered and returned to Nebraska the DNA that gave the Badgers their best era of football in school history. Like Nebraska, after firing Frank Solich and Bo Pelini, the Badgers are floundering in the wilderness. And they deserve every miserable day that lies ahead. 

Indeed, Wisconsin destroyed itself.

History is Made – Now What?

Nebraska has lifted the pressure of gaining a bowl berth. Now comes the next phase: Starting this Friday on the road in the regular-season finale against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Nebraska must now demonstrate the maturity it has not yet shown by being able to handle success and delivering a win against its rival.

The Iowa offense is down to third-string at quarterback, which will allow Nebraska’s defense to focus on the run. Iowa is tough, fundamentally sound, but beatable.

For Nebraska, a win means a 7-5 record and an improved bowl game.

Most importantly, a win at Iowa will show that Nebraska has the seriousness to finally, legitimately arrive.

There is a big difference between 7-5 and 6-6. Nebraska must show the maturation to facilitate that difference.

Saturday’s impactful win over Wisconsin has many meanings and may prove to be the turning point for a proud program.  

Husker Nation owes a heartfelt salute to Matt Rhule.  

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