Top 15 Highlights from Nebraska’s 2024 Football Season (6-10)

Author

TJ Birkel
January 16, 2025

T.J. Birkel

The Nebraska football team finished 7-6, securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 and winning a bowl game for the first time since 2015. While the second half of the season included some disappointing losses in ways Husker fans have become all too accustomed to seeing, this past season represents progress for Matt Rhule. With a busy offseason already in full swing, it’s a good time to look back at some of the top moments from the year that was. Yesterday we examined highlights 11-15 from the 2024 season; today we’ll take a look at 6-10.  

10. Taking Ohio State to the Wire. Nebraska went into Columbus one week after a 56-7 loss to Indiana and went toe to toe with then #4 Ohio State for four quarters, eventually losing 21-17. I’ll be honest - I did not expect Nebraska to beat the Buckeyes. Coming off the bad loss to Indiana, I was hoping to at least see the Big Red put up a fight and make a game of it. The Huskers did more than that. They battled their hearts out. They had a 4th quarter lead, and even after relinquishing it, had the ball with a chance to win in the final minutes. It still qualifies as a gut punch loss, and there are no moral victories. There were numerous ways Nebraska could have won that game. Maybe just one fewer mistake, or one more big play, and they finally get over the hump in a big game against a highly ranked opponent. BUT - if I’m being totally honest, I was concerned they might get blown out for a second week in a row and the season would run the risk of derailing. The Huskers came out and fought, they didn’t quit when things started poorly, and they hung with Ohio State blow-for-blow. That’s a huge credit to Coach Rhule and the staff. What you hope to see in 2025 is the type of effort the team showed in Columbus on a consistent basis. 

9. Emergence of Freshmen Contributors. Jacorey Barney. Carter Nelson. Vincent Shavers. Keona Davis. Gunnar Gottula. Rahmir Stewart. Willis McGahee IV. Donovan Jones. These are just some of the freshmen who made a meaningful impact during the 2024 season. By the time the Huskers were playing in the Pinstripe Bowl, there were…