Matt Rhule Details Preparation for Black Friday Battle with Iowa

Nebraska's bowl eligibility isn't coming down to the Iowa game, but something else is on the line in the annual Black Friday rivalry.

The Huskers have not finished the regular season with a better record than the Hawkeyes since 2016. Going into this game, both teams are sitting at 7-4.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said rivalry education for the freshmen and transfers happens "peer to peer" and isn't something the team is spending time on.

"I think they understand just how much this game means to us," Rhule said at his Monday media availability. "

The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate after recovering a fumbled punt return by the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rhule said there isn't any bad blood between the teams, at least from his vantage point, based on last year's handshake gate.

"I don't know how they feel about us," Rhule said. "I respect any coach that's done what they've done as long as that."

Rhule said all that matters is trying to win a football game.

"Two years in a row I've watched them kick a field goal to win it and walk off the field and watch them celebrate, tell us, 'Hey, have a Merry Christmas,' because they knew we weren't going to a bowl," Rhule said. "To the victor belongs the spoils. I respect them. I respect the way they play.

"There's no bad blood from me at least."

The Iowa Hawkeyes won on a field goal against the Nebraska Cornhuskers their last time at Memorial Stadium in 2023. | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Rhule continued speaking on respect, saying he respects Iowa's defensive coordinator Phil Parker "more than probably any other coach in college football." Parker has been at Iowa since becoming the defensive backs coach in 1999 and eventually becoming the DC in 2012.

"He's done it at a high level versus everybody for that long," Rhule said when asked why he respects Parker so much. "The rules in football are designed to let the offense score points. In college football, you can block down the field. You can't even play man-to-man coverage anymore because you can blindside people that are playing man. You can't do any of that stuff in the NFL.

"Yet, Phil Parker continues to play dominant-level defense."

Iowa enters the game with a similar profile to Penn State: big and physical on the lines of scrimmage while running the ball and taking away the run. The Nittany Lions utilized that game plan to dominate the Huskers 37-10 on Saturday. But Rhule said the two programs are "very different".

"Iowa's probably one of the premier outside zone teams in football over the years," Rhule said. "They've added a quarterback run element. He's got like seven passing touchdowns and like 13 rushing touchdowns. He's done a very nice job."

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski has thrown for just 1,363 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, but has an impressive 427 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Being at home, this is senior week for the Big Red. Rhule said 19 guys will walk on Senior Day,

"About half that class has been here the whole time," Rhule said. "We want to show tremendous brotherhood and play really well for them."

Not among those slated to walk on Friday at this point is running back Emmett Johnson. Rhule said Johnson will make any NFL decisions after the year is done. Malcolm Hartzog is also not walking on senior day, as he is redshirting with the intention to return next season.

Nebraska and Iowa will play Friday at 11 a.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

Have a question or comment for Kaleb? Send an email to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.

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

Coverage

Husker247 | Rhule wants Huskers to play free, knowing one of Iowa's 'super powers' is comfort in close games
Husker247 | Matt Rhule Monday press conference quick hits
Daily Nebraskan | Rhule pushes quick reset as Nebraska preps for Iowa
Omaha World-Herald* | Why Nebraska chose screen pass over Hail Mary at Penn State
Lincoln Journal Star* | Rhule: There’s ‘no bad blood for me’ as Huskers get ready for rival Iowa
HuskerOnline* | What we learned from Nebraska's Iowa week press conference
HuskerOnline* | Rhule Report: Nebraska turns the page quickly to Iowa
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From the Other Side

Iowa Hawkeyes On SI | Iowa Poised to Capitalize on Nebraska's Recent Struggles
Hawk Fanatic | Iowa avoided more than a loss against Michigan State; it avoided a season-crushing setback
Des Moines Register* | Did Iowa show its blueprint for Nebraska game?

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 Nebraska 28, UCLA 21
Nov. 22 at Penn State 37, Nebraska 10
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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