I recently read an article by Nate McHugh of SB Nation that stated the last two “sure things” to bring Nebraska football back failed. The first “thing” is back coaching at UCF, and the second “thing” is now wearing an Oregon uniform. Because these two “sure things” failed, McHugh points to them as reasons for Husker fan’s frustration. But did he miss the third reason? If I’m not mistaken, the hiring of Matt Rhule felt like one of those “sure things” as well. But after the ‘mythical’ year three and disappointment it became clear Rhule’s hiring was anything but a…
Author: Lyle Harmon
Lyle Harmon
I was 10 years old when Nebraska won their first National Championship. I was 23 when the two-point conversion failed in Miami. I was 34 when Tom Osborne won his first National Championship. And I was 49 when Texas put one more second back on the clock. I’ve been a Cornhusker fan all my life. And at 64 I’m excited to write about Nebraska football. Good things are about to happen.
Talking season is here, spring football is over and we are over 100 days away from fall camp. As football fans all that is left is to follow recruiting and argue over everyone’s Post Spring Top 25 and three months from now their Preseason Top 25. Several rankings are out already, Top 25, Big Ten Ranked, Top Quarterbacks in 2026, and the Top Transfer Portal Difference Makers, if you can think of something to rank, people are doing it, and in the coming weeks I’ll follow suit. Looking forward to As a Husker fan, I’m looking forward to the ‘Battle…
With it being the offseason one of the things we focus on at this time of year is recruiting. Husker coaches are making visits and trying to schedule official visits throughout June and around the ‘Battle of the Boneyard.’ What’s easy to forget is the fact that even if a recruit gives a verbal commitment, the earliest he can sign isn’t until December. That’s a lot of time for other schools to stay in touch and perhaps flip a guy. All of which puts pressure on Matt Rhule and his staff to ensure they have a season good enough to…
There are two big measuring sticks for success in college football. First, your win loss record. Second, the number of players you have selected in the NFL draft. It’s no secret that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are struggling at both, and we witnessed it again this past weekend. The battle for dominance continued between the Big Ten and the SEC at the NFL draft. In 14 of the last 15 drafts the SEC has led all conferences in first round picks. However, that ended this year. The Big Ten has won the last three national championships and has now taken over…
One of the first things current Athletic Director Troy Dannan did when arriving in Lincoln was to put predecessor Trev Albert’s stadium renovation on hold. Albert’s plans were met with concerns due to donor support and financial stability. Dannen said at the time, ‘We’re not going to take anything to the Board of Regents, and I don’t know when we will. But the time is not now.” Many felt it was the right move but knew whatever delays occurred, the price tag for the improvement would only go up. Well, evidently the time is “now,” as that all changed last…
Since NIL was implemented, an old saying has taken on new meaning. I can’t say I’ve heard Matt Rhule say it, but I know he is aware of it and has at times suggested it’s something that needs to happen with his team. “Get old and stay old.” Meaning, you reach a point where your starters are fourth- and fifth-year guys sprinkled with third-year guys. Your depth is your two-year guys, and your freshmen are in development. If the core of your starters are second- and third-year guys, sprinkled with freshmen then you’re fielding a young team. Which translates to…
If you’re a Husker fan and have followed Nebraska football, then you are familiar with the name Damon Benning. Damon was a Husker and a member of the 1994-95 National Championships teams. He now works as color analyst on the Husker Radio Network with play-by-play announcer Kyle Crooks. Through the week he’s part of the team at Hurrdat Sports Live, a three-hour radio show on Monday through Friday. You can also catch Damon as a regular guest on NPR’s Big Red Wrap Up, and he’s also an assistant coach with Omaha Westside. It’s easy to see the man is deeply…
There was plenty of bellyaching from fans about Nebraska’s early spring game. With Fred Hoiberg’s success basketball and football overlapped, something Husker fans haven’t dealt with before. But there’s something fans need to consider. With spring practice over and a spring game in the books, coaches were given time to evaluate talent and determine where they stand at each position headed into fall. And don’t be naïve and think these coaches have warm fuzzies and are set at every position. After spring there’s one group at the top and one at the bottom. As of now it appears the offensive…
June looks to be a monster month for Nebraska when it comes to recruiting as the Huskers look to add to their commitment list. Nebraska’s 2027 class is currently ranked the 10th best class nationally but with over 50 visitors over the last two weeks and official visits starting in June the potential for Nebraska to finish in the top 10 to 15 is very real. The concern now, keeping everyone locked in until signing day. Amir Brown, Tay Ellis and Kaden Howard will be taking visits to other schools even after their commitment to the Huskers. Should the coaches…
When head coach Matt Rhule took over the Nebraska football program he had one goal in mind. Win football games. It’s a single-minded straight-line goal. But the path to getting there resembles a coiled double helix chain of cells known as DNA. Yes, over the last eleven seasons winning for Nebraska appears to be that complicated. But heading down that path starts with taking the first step. That means acquiring talent. And that’s where Matt Rhule has taken Nebraska to the next level. As of right now Nebraska football is in a unique position with two preseason events that sets…