Head coach Matt Rhule has the Nebraska Cornhuskers off to a 3-0 start. They will look to earn what would be their most impressive win of the season when they play host to the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
After earning a hard-fought 20-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats to open the season, the Huskers have had two easy weeks, defeating Akron 68-0 and Houston Christian 59-7. But before Michigan week officially began, Rhule took in one of the biggest sporting events of the year Saturday night, and in his eyes, it lived up to the hype.
Rhule Believes Crawford-Álvarez Fight Was Best Event He’s Been To, Tops Brady’s 28-3 Comeback
Rhule had quite the weekend, attending the Terence Crawford-Canelo Álvarez on Saturday night in Las Vegas. It was considered the biggest win of Crawford’s career, a unanimous decision victory to win the undisputed super middleweight championship.
It should be noted that Rhule entered the night already a big fan of Crawford, an Omaha, Nebraska native. Crawford is also a noted Nebraska fan, even leading the team out of the tunnel before their victory over the Colorado Buffaloes last season.
“When he showed up last year to support our team… he showed us what it means to be Nebraskan, what it means to be a ‘Husker,” Rhule said.
“Rhule called Crawford’s fight the greatest sporting event he’s ever been to,” per Adam Krueger. “Says he was at Brady’s Super Bowl comeback win vs. Falcons & Game 6 & 7 of ’86 World Series.”
Rhule called Crawford’s fight the greatest sporting event he’s ever been to. Says he was at Brady’s Super Bowl comeback win vs. Falcons & Game 6 & 7 of ‘86 World Series. #Huskers
— Adam Krueger (@AdamKruegerTV) September 15, 2025
Rhule is obviously referencing Tom Brady and the Patriots’ historic comeback in Super Bowl LI. The Patriots trailed the Falcons 21-3 at the half and were down 28-3 with just 2:15 in the third quarter before rallying to force overtime and securing a 34-28 victory. Brady was 43-of-62 for 433 yards with two touchdowns in the game.
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Of course, Boston sports fans probably don’t love Rhule’s other competitor for the top spot. The Boston Red Sox had a 3-2 lead in the series over the New York Mets and were leading Game 6 3-2 in the 8th inning and 5-3 in the 10th inning before famously losing the game on a Bill Buckner error. The Mets would go on to win Game 7 8-5 after the Red Sox took a 3-0 lead into the 6th inning.
Nebraska Will Have Two Key Players Back for Michigan Showdown
In bigger news for the Cornhuskers, Rhule confirmed that linebacker Javin Wright and defensive back Malcolm Hartzog will be suiting up against the Wolverines this week.
Rhule confirms Javin Wright & Malcolm Hartzog will play Saturday vs. Michigan. #Huskers
— Adam Krueger (@AdamKruegerTV) September 15, 2025
That’s obviously huge news for the Huskers. Wright, a 6’5, 230-pound senior from Arizona, has seven tackles on the season. Hartzog, also a veteran and a senior, had a key interception in the Huskers’ season-opening victory over the Bearcats.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines are coming off their most impressive showing of the year, earning a 63-3 win over in-state rival Central Michigan. The win, of course, follows a very disappointing 24-13 defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners, who took down the Wolverines September 6.
Rhule’s Huskers and the Wolverines will kick off at 3:30 ET on Saturday, and the game will air on CBS.