Nebraska hasn’t struck fear into opponents for decades, but HC Matt Rhule is determined to change that, holding tight with his star QB Dylan Raiola. His passion was on full display during Saturday’s 68-0 rout of Akron, when he revealed a fiery, expletive-laced halftime message to his players despite holding a strong lead.
The message, which spread quickly, revealed Rhule demanding a “killer instinct” from his team, urging them not to grow complacent even in a blowout. Akron nearly spoiled Nebraska’s shutout bid late in the first half, missing a 46-yard kick off the upright, a lapse that fueled Rhule’s fiery halftime outburst.
“I went after them at halftime. I freaking lost it in the locker room,” Rhule admitted. “I was pissed that we let them drive the ball down right before the half and almost make a field goal. Where’s the killer instinct?”
QB Dylan Raiola Backs His Head Coach
Nebraska Cornhuskers’ freshman field general Dylan Raiola, who has started the season on fire, defended his coach’s intensity.
“When the head of the snake says that, we respond… He just challenged us and we answered the call,” Raiola said. “When you have a coach who cares that much when you’re up 33-0 at half, you’ve got something special.”
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola on Matt Rhule’s halftime message from Saturday: “When the head of the snake says that, we respond… He just challenged us and we answered the call… When you have a coach who cares that much when you’re up 33-0 at half, you’ve got something special.”
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 9, 2025
Rhule has made mentality a key theme for his team. This week, he asked his players to adopt a “Be Like Bud” mindset, inspired by Omaha native and undefeated boxing champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, who is preparing to fight Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas and is aiming to become the first three-division undisputed champion in boxing history.
Rhule wants Nebraska to mirror that relentless drive. The Huskers’ coach also explained how subtle game situations should fuel his team’s edge.
“If an opponent is throwing the ball in the last seconds of the half, take that as an indication that they don’t respect your pass rush,” Rhule said. “Feel insulted… Same with this: ‘When they win the (coin) toss and defer, they think it’s going to be a game in the second half.’”
More from Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on the mentality he wants his players to adopt. He says if an opponent is throwing the ball in the last seconds of the half, take that as an indication that they don’t respect your pass rush.
Feel insulted, Rhule said. Same with this: “When…
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 8, 2025
Beyond mindset, Rhule emphasized execution. He praised Raiola, who currently ranks fifth nationally in completion percentage (78.1%) with six touchdowns and no interceptions, while also highlighting RB Emmett Johnson’s strong start in the backfield.
Now 2-0, Nebraska turns its attention to Houston Christian, an FCS opponent coming off a 20-10 loss to Eastern Kentucky. The meeting will mark the first-ever matchup between these two teams, and the Huskers enter with a perfect 15-0 all-time record against FCS opponents. The two are set to kick off at noon ET on Saturday, September 13, on FS1.
Looking ahead, Rhule knows the shutout victory over Akron was just the beginning. The challenge, he says, is building a team that dominates from start to finish. With Houston Christian coming to Memorial Stadium, Nebraska will have another chance to prove its new mentality isn’t just talk, but a defining trait of Rhule’s era in Lincoln.
