Rohr’s Four: Four reactions, impressions, reflections, concerns and questions after Nebraska’s 44-22 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.
1-What’d you expect?
I have to admit that, for the whole month of December, my hopes were not high for the Huskers in this game. The two blowout losses at the end of the year, plus Utah’s physical play-style, plus Nebraska’s struggles in defending the run, plus the absence of Emmett Johnson all added up to a dour forecast for the Cornhuskers against the Utes. When the line settled around 17 points in Utah’s favor, it felt right.
But then Kyle Whittingham left the Utes for Michigan, less than a week before the game. Then Nebraska took the ball down the field and Mehki Nelson found wide running lanes. Had Geep Wade, the new O-Line coach, made that big a difference already? Then another fairly easy touchdown drive, with Jacory Barney, Jr., being utilized as more than a wide receiver to boot. At least the Huskers could hang in there, right?
Nope. In the end, Utah kept moving down the field. Quarterback Devon Dampier was elusive and explosive, passing for 310 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 148 and three scores. The Utes scored on five straight drives, four touchdowns and a field goal. Meanwhile, the Huskers went six straight drives without a first down, gaining just five yards in 16 plays.
I didn’t expect Nebraska to put up 22 points, under any circumstances. So the fact that they were able to cobble together three touchdown drives (two with the game in doubt) was a surprise to me. And yet, this loss stung more than I expected it to. For two quarters, the Huskers were not able to do anything against a Utah defense missing its best player. After some early success, not only did the lanes that were open in the first quarter close up, but they completely disappeared. And the defense hardly ever looked like it could control the Utes offense. Even the Huskers’ much bally-hooed and much improved special teams faltered, with Barney making the baffling decision to bring the ball out of the end zone on kick returns three times, not getting to the 20 on any of the three.
It was full and total domination, by a program that despite its clear identity, had just as many questions swirling about its future as Nebraska. It was a cold plunge of reality in December of how very far the Huskers have to go just to reach the cusp of the playoff, let alone get in the tournament.
2-Glimmers?
There were a couple performances to feel good about, at least relatively. Mehki Nelson proved to be an explosive factor in the backfield. I liked the different ways Jacory Barney, Jr., was used in the offense, motioning him into the backfield as a weapon, sometimes as a decoy, sometimes (like the second touchdown of the game) as a target. In a game where you thought he’d be used more at running back than ever before, Isaiah Mozee turned in some of his best work at wide receiver. Cameron Lenhardt, who has been a disappointment most of this year, was more active than ever before, with a sack. Riley Van Poppel played his best ball of the season. Caleb Benning made a career high 13 tackles, just as Nebraska needs more work from him at safety.
Are those glimmers enough to move me for next year? No. But it’s at least a little something to take home from Vegas other than empty pockets and a headache.
3-Now what?
The problem with do-or-die seasons is that, if you don’t do, the alternative is pretty grim. This felt like a do-or-die season for Nebraska. The Huskers had their most favorable schedule since joining the Big Ten, a schedule that became even more favorable as Penn State faltered down the stretch. They had the returning quarterback. They brought back at least enough starters to feel experienced. They hit in the transfer portal at wide receiver. And no one’s calculations had Emmett Johnson growing into an All-American back.
And yet, here we are, still at 7-6. The same as last year, but a far-darker outlook. Three college football playoff teams on the conference schedule. Plus a daunting trip to Illinois. Heck, even the season opener is against an Ohio team that won its bowl game. And the quarterback position is up for grabs.
This is not a favorable outlook. Getting to a bowl game next year looks like a tall order. For a fanbase desperate for national relevance, but starting whose patience wore thin a decade ago, it’s going to be an offseason full of frustrated teeth-gnashing and head-shaking. It’s going to going to be a tough sell to an already worn fanbase to see reasons for optimism in 2026.
4-Hopes spring eternal
The one rock under which optimism for the Huskers can be found is the portal, and that opens Friday. But where do you even start shopping if you’re Matt Rhule? After one good start at UCLA, TJ Lateef didn’t exactly distinguish himself at quarterback. Mehki Nelson turned in one good quarter at running back. Nebraska’s offensive tackle play was weak most of the year, and while it’s commendable that Turner Corcoran hobbled out to right tackle for the second half of the year and did his best, what does it say about the development of Grant Brix, Brock Knutson and Preston Taumua that at seemingly full strength, none of the three was in a position to step in for an injured Corcoran at right tackle? And then there’s the defense, where the defensive line was both quiet and porous and your top defensive back is graduating?
And then, with the schedule, is it worth it to run up a big NIL bill focused on trying to win eight games next season? Or are the roster-building efforts geared more toward 2027, meaning the youth which has filled most of the roster gets its chance to sink or swim?
It’s one of many difficult conversations that probably began before the last strand of confetti fell to the field at Allegiant Stadium.