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Government Shutdown Could Affect Nebraska's Travel to UCLA

Matt Rhule says his staff is jumping on calls to get the air travel plans figured out as the shutdown nears 40 days.
Kaleb Henry|
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

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Nebraska CornhuskersUCLA Bruins

Nebraska football's trip west could run into some interruptions over the next couple of days.

"Our travel plans are very up in the air right now because of the government shutdown and how that might affect air travel," coach Matt Rhule said at his Thursday press conference. "We're in some meetings right now to try to figure out when we can fly out there."

The United States government has been in a shutdown since the beginning of October. On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will reduce traffic at 40 "high-volume" airports across the country, including a trio of Southern California locations: LAX, Ontario, and San Diego.

Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson sacks UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers for an 8-yard loss during the third quarter.
Nebraska and UCLA are set for an 8 p.m. CST kickoff Saturday on FOX. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Rhule said assistant athletic director of football administration Dr. Susan Elza and other members of the staff would be getting on a call shortly after the press conference for an update.

"They called us today and said, 'Hey, it could potentially be affected,'" Rhule said.

Typically, Rhule's team's travel the day before a game to their destination. He told his team this week that they'll just deal with whatever travel is necessary to get to UCLA.

"If we got to get up at 8 o'clock in the morning tomorrow as opposed to leaving later in the day, then so be it. If we got to wake up on Saturday and fly there and land and drive over and play, at the end of the day, no one wants to hear about your troubles. It's football, so we're going to show and play football to the best of our abilities," Rhule said.

While at the podium, Rhule noted that Dylan Raiola and Gunnar Gottula both had successful surgeries this week.

You can watch the full media session from Thursday below. Continue scrolling for more coverage.

Coverage

  • Husker247 | As Raiola begins rehab, Rhule speaks of QB's growth and the shot he's given Husker recruiting
  • Husker247 | Rundown from Rhule: Injury updates; TJ talk; don't be about don'ts; travel situation with government shutdown
  • Husker247 | Raiola surgery goes well; Lateef feeling full support of him and Husker teammates
  • Nebraska Athletics | Nov. 6 report
  • Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska upping 'focus' in practice while preparing TJ Lateef for first start
  • HuskerOnline* | Rhule Report: Lateef's big week, Raiola's surgery, and travel questions for UCLA
  • Lincoln Journal Star* | ‘Just check on them’: Rhule reflects on mental health after NFL tragedy
  • Refresh this page to see the latest additions. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription.

From the other side

More Info

Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

  • Aug. 28 Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
  • Sep. 6 Nebraska 68, Akron 0
  • Sep. 13 Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
  • Sep. 20 Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
  • Oct. 4 Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
  • Oct. 11 Nebraska 34, Maryland 31
  • Oct. 17 Minnesota 24, Nebraska 6
  • Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern 11 a.m. FS1
  • Nov. 1 USC 21, Nebraska 17
  • Nov. 8 at UCLA 8 p.m. FOX
  • Nov. 22 at Penn State TBA
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

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