Nebraska coach Matt Rhule speaks on Cincinnati Bearcats at Big Ten media day

University of Cincinnati Bearcats football does not tangle with the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Kansas City Classic for just over a month, but the men from Lincoln are at Big Ten media days this week.

Speaking in Las Vegas July 22, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule discussed his 2025 squad and the upcoming matchup with the Bearcats at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Rhule's comments came after his main remarks in the ballroom. In the side session he talked about opening with a Power Four opponent. Last season Nebraska hosted Texas-El Paso (UTEP) to begin the season.

Nebraska's Rhule, Cornhuskers ready for Cincinnati Bearcats

"It's time to perform," Rhule said. "We need urgency. We need to know we're playing a good team game one."

The head 'Husker said he's seen players in his building watching tape of the Bearcats from last season.

"I think it's great that we're playing in Kansas City," Rhule said. "Kansas City's an important area for us in recruiting. We want to unlock that area."

Rhule said he encouraged then-Nebraska AD Trev Alberts to pursue a neutral site game and originally suggested St. Louis or Kansas City. UC was originally scheduled to play Nebraska in Lincoln in 2020 when the Big Ten canceled early games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The game was briefly scheduled in Indianapolis before the Arrowhead group persuaded UC to come to Kansas City for 75% of the gate.

The third-year Nebraska coach isn't necessarily a fan of the late kickoff (8 p.m. Central/ 9 p.m. Eastern) but likes that they'll have some extra days to heal before hosting Akron Sept. 6.

Nebraska players on Aug. 28 game with UC

Henry Lutovsky is Nebraska's right guard and told the Big Ten Network how he was looking forward to playing in Arrowhead.

"There's a standard we have to play at each and every game," Rhule said. "You've got to play the same way every week. You can't be this up-and-down rollercoaster that comes from emotion and listening to outside noise. When we play national games, it's so good for our brand. Having as many night games where the whole country sees them, that's what takes this program from good to great."

"I was in attendance for the AFC Championship game and that place was crazy," Lutovsky said. "I can only imagine what it's going to be like with our fans in there."

Quarterback Dylan Raiola kept his comments brief, only saying he was excited for the game.

Matt Rhule's podium remarks on Big Ten media day

In his time slot to the gathered media at Mandalay Bay broadcast on Big Ten Network, Rhule didn't specifically address the Bearcats but did speak in general terms on his Cornhuskers who return 19 starters.

Similar to UC, the 'Huskers were out to a quick 5-1 start before they dropped four in a row at Indiana, at Ohio State, vs. UCLA and at USC. They finally got a sixth win against Wisconsin, but finished the regular campaign with a 13-10 loss at Iowa. Their win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl was their first trip to a bowl game since 2015.

"We have to win more, that's the deal," Rhule said. "We knew it was going to take a little time to fix. I think we're close."

Rhule added former West Virginia and Houston coach Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator last season. Phil Steele's College Football Preview 2025 has Nebraska in a four-way tie for fifth in the Big Ten with Illinois, Indiana and USC. Last season was Nebraska's first winning campaign since 2016.

"Dana's elite and I bring a lot to him," Rhule said of Holgorsen.

Nebraska sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola vs. UC's Brendan Sorsby

Rhule brought Raiola to the Big Ten event in Las Vegas. He's of similar size to UC's Brendan Sorsby at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. He threw for 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns with a completion rate of 67.1% leading Big Ten freshmen in that category as well as passing yards. He wasn't necessarily a runner, finishing the season with minus-65 yards (sacks count for rushing attempts in college) and also had 11 interceptions.

Sorsby's numbers were 2,813 yards passing for 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His completion rate was 64% and he holds the edge in rushing as he racked up 447 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024.

Matt Rhule high on Raiola

Raiola played high school ball in Texas, Arizona and Georgia but his father, Dominic, was a Rimington Award-winning center for Nebraska and his uncle Donovan is their offensive line coach.

"What Dylan did last year was really hard," Rhule said.

"We told him he could go play for the best team in the country and have success, then go to the NFL and be drafted by the worst team in the worst NFL city. (Note: Rhule was 11-27 in two and a half seasons with the Carolina Panthers).

"I said, 'Come to Nebraska, it's going to be hard, but we'll eventually do something great'" Rhule said. "What I've seen from him, he now embraces when he's frustrated. He puts it on himself. He says, 'I'll fix this.' I think our team is going to play for Dylan."

Nebraska also has new defensive, special teams coordinators

In addition to Holgorsen, John Butler is Nebraska's new defensive coordinator, a role he assumed in December for the Pinstripe Bowl.

Mike Ekeler is special teams coordinator after serving in that role and as linebackers coach at Tennessee. He previously coached Nebraska linebackers from 2008-2010.

Butler comes with NFL experience.

"He had the number one secondary in Buffalo I believe for five years," Rhule said.

Nebraska's close game record

The Cornhuskers lost five games last season by one score or less and six in 2023. Similarly, UC has dropped four such games in each of the last two seasons.

"I think we lost a lot of those because we just weren't good enough," Rhule said. "Sometimes it's a great storyline to say 'close loss'. I saw a different mindset in the Pinstripe Bowl. What I saw for the first time was not a lot of panic."

As for Rhule's "year three" reputation, he says the team finally grows up and makes the play. Rhule's previous college teams at Temple and Baylor had successful runs in his third year in Philadelphia and Waco, respectively.

"I've got great news," Rhule said. "Nothing that happened last year carries over into this year. I look forward to the first close game and I look forward to seeing our guys executing in it."

UC coach Scott Satterfield's thoughts on facing Nebraska

"I think you know you're playing a team from another conference where it's a great measuring stick to see where we're at," Satterfield said. "It's going to be an outstanding atmosphere for this game. I'm sure it'll be a sellout and a bunch of people wearing red at this game."

UC Bearcats vs. Nebraska should draw big TV audience

Coming on the Thursday night before Labor Day (Aug. 28) the Bearcats and Cornhuskers will kick off at 9 p.m. (Eastern) on ESPN. The teams haven't played since Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, 1906 when Nebraska won 41-0. The Cornhuskers were 7-6 and winners of the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium last season, while UC missed a bowl bid at 5-7 after starting the season 5-2.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What did Nebraska's Matt Rhule say of Cincinnati Bearcats football?