Matt Rhule Excited for Kansas City Environment, Talks Season Opener, Injuries, Podcast

LINCOLN—Game week is finally here.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule bagan Friday with a small procedure on his ear, and a few hours later he was in front of the media talking about his team, the new podcast, and, of course, Cincinnati. As for that ear procedure, Rhule said it isn't anything to worry about.

"I have just some pressure issues in my ear or whatever," Rhule said. "They had to go in, and it was simple. But it's been a great excuse sometimes. I'm like, 'I didn't hear what you said. What'd you say?' Now, apparently, I'm going to be able to
hear clearly, so I got no excuse."

Rhule gave an injury update, with several players out right now: Mario Buford, Roman Mangini, Pierce Mooberry, Gabe Moore, and Vincent Shavers. There is also a season-ending injury.

"Gibson Pyle hurt himself last week," Rhule said. "(He) had surgery yesterday. He'll be out for the year. Not an ACL, but a knee that just, we're going to have to go in and take care of."

Finally talking about the Bearcats, Rhule said the game will come down to tackling, turnovers, and mistakes.

"Their ability to run the speed option, run the zone read, drop back and throw, attack the pocket, quarterback draw, the ability to have a running quarterback is something that we really have to be focused on," Rhule said. "There’s a lot coming out of their camp about how much they love their receivers and how excellent they are."

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule looks over a linemen drill while offensive lineman Kade Pietrzak runs to the next station. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Rhule said he was "really pleased last night" after the team held a mock game.

"Probably the best mock game I’ve ever been a part of in terms of the level of communication – guys communicating on and off the field," Rhule said.

With the first depth chart released Friday morning, Rhule was asked about the battle at the left tackle position. He reiterated that Elijah Pritchett not taking the role is not due to anything away from the field.

"We haven't announced a starter, but if we played today, he would not be the starter right now," Rhule said. "He's still working on it. It's the performance. An unbelievably talented, good player, but a lot of false starts, a lot of mistakes. And when you have a quarterback like we have, it's not about the talent; it's about the production and the dependability at that position.

"So that competition will go up through the game."

Nebraska offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett battles a double team from Brock Knutson and Luke Lindenmeyer. — Nebraska offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett battles a double team from fellow lineman Brock Knutson and tight end Luke Lindenmeyer during a drill. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Of course, Rhule was also asked about his new podcast that debuted on Thursday.

"One of my goals is to be able to do stuff with our players and hope that that we can get them some NIL money from doing an interview with us," Rhule said.

You can watch Rhule's full media appearance below.

Coverage

Nebraska On SI | Five Observations on Nebraska Football's First Depth Chart of the Season
Nebraska On SI | Blackshirts Stressing How to Defend Cincinnati's Running Quarterback
Nebraska Athletics | Rhule Discusses Depth Chart, Cincinnati
Omaha World-Herald* | Key takeaways from Nebraska football's first depth chart — including the backup quarterback
Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska's Gibson Pyle out for the season due to injury, other Huskers healing ahead of opener
Omaha World-Herald* | Matt Rhule breaks down Nebraska's Week 1 depth chart, gives injury updates
Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: Williams Nwaneri's rise, Elijah Pritchett not starter, new kicker favorite
Omaha World-Herald* | Video: Sam McKewon breaks down Nebraska fall camp ahead of the Cincinnati game
Husker247 | Thoughts on Nebraska's Week 1 Depth Chart
Husker247 | Rhule with game week injury updates: One key Husker is day to day, a season-ender to O-lineman
Husker247* | What about the tackles and the offseason growth of Williams Nwaneri? Diving in on depth chart day
HuskerOnline* | Three takeaways on Nebraska's Week 1 depth chart for Cincinnati
HuskerOnline* | Rhule Report: Nebraska depth chart talk, game week begins
HuskerOnline* | Pritchett still working to lock down Nebraska's starting LT job while Nwaneri enjoys surge
Hastings Tribune* | Husker notes: Matt Rhule updates team health ahead of game vs Cincinnati, Elijah Pritchett falling out of LT race
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From the other side

Cincinnati Enquirer* | What you need to know ahead of Bearcats football opener vs. Nebraska
Cincinnati On SI | 2025 Game-By-Game Predictions
COTP | One Cincinnati Bearcat makes ESPN's top 100 college football players for 2025
Cincinnati Enquirer | Video: Scott Satterfield, Joe Royer, Dontay Corleone on Nebraska

More info

Gameday flip sheet
Depth charts: NU | UC
Rosters: NU | UC
Pregame notes: NU | UC
HuskerMax game page

Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

Aug. 28 (Thursday) vs. Cincinnati (Kansas City) 8 p.m. ESPN
Sep. 6 vs. Akron 6:30 p.m. CDT BTN
Sep. 13 vs. Houston Christian 11 a.m. FS1
Sep. 20 vs. Michigan 2:30 p.m. CBS
Oct. 4 vs. Michigan State 11/2:30/3
Oct. 11 at Maryland TBA
Oct. 17 (Friday) at Minnesota 7 p.m. FOX
Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern TBA
Nov. 1 vs. USC TBA
Nov. 8 at UCLA TBA
Nov. 22 at Penn State TBA
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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

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