When a loss can spark a fire, maybe it’s a loss worth taking. For Matt Rhule and his Nebraska Cornhuskers, that’s exactly what happened after an October 18th beatdown from Indiana left them reeling with a 56-7 defeat. It was a soul-crushing blow for Nebraska fans, but Rhule and his team used it as a springboard, revealing a newfound grit and tenacity in their showdown against powerhouse Ohio State. And while the scoreboard read 21-17 in the Buckeyes’ favor, the game showcased a reborn Huskers team that had critics taking notice, including CBS Sports’ own CFB analyst and former NFL star, Adam Carriker.
The Huskers’ devastating loss to the Hoosiers was a breaking point – the kind that could send a team spiraling into a season-long slump. But for Nebraska, it was a wake-up call. Indiana’s strategy exploited the Huskers’ defensive flaws, turning short passes into explosive plays that gashed Nebraska’s defensive backs. Yet rather than let the defeat drag them down, Rhule forced his team to face those shortcomings head-on. In what Carriker called “a turning point,” Rhule’s squad emerged from the dark days following the Indiana loss with a strengthened resolve and a sharpened edge.
As Rhule put it, “The darkest week since I’ve been here was the week after Indiana heading into Ohio State,” a sentiment that echoed through the locker room. Rhule kept his players from succumbing to doubt, using the loss to motivate them into finding a new level of resilience. Even as the Huskers prepared to face a daunting Ohio State team, expected by many to deliver another brutal lesson, they instead met the Buckeyes with a fierce determination that left Ryan Day’s squad sweating.
While the Buckeyes ultimately claimed victory, the Huskers left everything on the field. They may have started and finished sluggishly, but the middle of the game belonged to Nebraska. Rhule’s team unleashed relentless, extended drives, scoring on five of eight possessions in a stretch that made Ohio State look almost vulnerable. Day’s team took the win, but Nebraska walked away with newfound respect—and the praise of Carriker, who highlighted Rhule’s impact on the team’s mental toughness and adaptability.
So, while the scoreboard may not tell the whole story, the message Nebraska sent was loud and clear. For Rhule and the Huskers, their journey through adversity has become a powerful weapon, one that has college football analysts and fans alike wondering if Nebraska is primed for a major turnaround. This loss to Ohio State wasn’t just another defeat; it was a promise of what’s to come.
