What is there to be said about this loss for Nebraska football?
Nebraska had its usual post-game media availability Friday. Matt Rhule spoke and answered questions for about 18 minutes, followed by players, among them Emmett Johnson.
But what was there to say to explain the Huskers’ loss to Iowa at Memorial Stadium?
Their 40-16 loss, underscore, 40-16.
By the end of the third quarter, fans were heading to the exits, and not because they wanted to get to Nebraska’s volleyball match. It didn’t start until 5:30 p.m.
The streaming of fans to the exits increased when Iowa scored points 39 and 40 with 13:40 remaining. By game’s end the stands were closing in on empty.
Rhule said he understood the frustration, with Friday’s loss coming six days after a 37-10 loss at Penn State. It was definitely “Black Friday” in Nebraska.
Don’t take it out on the players, Rhule said, it “rests solely on me.”
Senior defensive back Ceyair Wright took responsibility. But that reflected his character more so than his play. There wasn’t a Husker who carried the load. Not Wright and not quarterback TJ Lateef. He was playing despite a hamstring pull, suffered early in the game. Why mention Lateef? He was 9-for-24 passing for 69 yards, not winning numbers.
Johnson had winning numbers, and not just winning numbers but eye-catching numbers. He carried 29 times for 217 yards, bringing his season’s total to 1,451, eighth-most at Nebraska in a season.
He also caught two passes for 22 yards, giving him 239 yards from scrimmage. It was his fourth-consecutive game with 150 or more yards from scrimmage.
Nebraska started off as if it would be the team to roll on this frigid late morning. On the game’s third series, the Huskers’ second, Johnson carried four times for 90 yards, including a 70-yarder to the Hawkeye 6-inch line, as the officials determined by review. Johnson got credit for a touchdown from 1 yard on the next play.
Iowa responded with a field goal and then a touchdown for a 10-7 lead. By quarter’s end, however, Kyle Cunanan kicked the first of three field goals to tie the score at 10. The field goals were from 31, 29 and 35 yards. The second and third came in the second quarter to make the score 17-16 Iowa.
The Hawkeyes added another touchdown with 37 seconds remaining in the first half. That was all they needed, though they added a safety and two more touchdowns in the second half.
Nebraska out-rushed Iowa 231 yards to 213. But Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 9-of-16 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
“They kind of beat us in the passing game,” said Rhule.
That was unexpected, as were the Huskers rushing for more yards.
The back-to-back losses, magnified by lopsided scores, have, no doubt, changed the fans’ perception of Rhule’s third season at Nebraska. Yes, the Huskers are going to a bowl game for a second-consecutive season. That’s definitely progress. But Nebraska began the season 7-3, with a particularly frustrating loss to Minnesota and losses to Michigan, by three, and USC, by four — both at home.
Expectations were such at that point the Huskers could beat a struggling Penn State and have a shot, in a close game, against Iowa. They could finish 9-3 or, worst-case scenario, 8-4.
Instead, they’re 7-5, which might’ve looked like progress going into the season.
To make matters worse, there was talk this week about the possibility of Dylan Raiola entering the transfer portal. Friday there was also talk that Johnson, a junior, wouldn’t be a Husker in 2026.
Johnson said he would pray about his future and let that determine what happens. During the news conference, he said, his focus was on his teammates and what happened on the field.
What happened on the field was unexpected, and nearly impossible to explain.
“Put it on me,” Rhule said.
