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Matt Rhule Says Nebraska is 'Locked In' for Cincinnati, Discusses Blackshirts, Position Battles, Preparation

"The longest camp ever" is over and the Nebraska football season is about to begin. Matt Rhule discusses Cincinnati, Arrowhead Stadium, the Blackshirts, NFL Huskers and more.
Kaleb Henry|
Matt Rhule meets with the media for the final time ahead of the 2025 season opener against Cincinnati.
Matt Rhule meets with the media for the final time ahead of the 2025 season opener against Cincinnati. | Kaleb Henry

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

LINCOLN—Talking season is coming to a close, and so is "the longest camp ever" for Nebraska football.

Matt Rhule met with the media for the final time ahead of the season opener, coming up Thursday against Cincinnati in Kansas City. He said there is a ton of excitement around the program to get the season underway.

"I want them to be really excited," Rhule said. "We've worked really hard. This has been like the longest camp ever. The last two practices, I've ended a few minutes early."

Rhule said he doesn't consider this game to be a neutral site contest.

"Arrowhead seems like part of our DNA, our footprint," Rhule said. "This feels like a home game-lite. I expect to have the same home game intensity, maybe even more-so because we're more excited as fan base to see this team for the first time."

This isn't the first time Nebraska has opened against a Power Four/Five opponent in the Rhule era. His first game as the Husker head coach was on the road at Minnesota in 2023.

"I like playing a Power Four team to start," Rhule said. "I think it makes your camp much more intentional. I feel like we should have won (the Minnesota game). I didn't have us as ready for the crowd noise and all the things the Gold Out at Minnesota would have.

"I have gotten the team ready, in terms of situationally, we should be prepared for anything. To their part, they are focused and paid a lot of attention to detail."

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule looks over a linemen drill while offensive lineman Kade Pietrzak runs to the next station.
Year three of the Matt Rhule era begins Thursday in Kansas City. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Rhule said the level of focus has been "great" in the lead-up to the season opener.

"I think they wanna play," Rhule said. "It's very evident. A very mature team. We've been very locked in. Hopefully we continue that."

Rhule discussed the Blackshirts. Ten players received the honor on Monday, which is short of the number that will take the field for the defense.

"We haven't wanted to make it a 13, 14, 15 person participation trophy type deal," Rhule said. "Talking to coach Osborne and some of the older guys, at its purest form, it was just, hey the starters."

As for the battle for the final Blackshirt, Rhule said it will come down to defensive tackle between Jaylen George and Keona Davis. In another position battle, Rhule said a decision has been made for place kicker.

"I think Kyle (Cunanan) will go out and kick for us first. He would be the starter as of today," Rhule said. "Both Tristan (Alvano) and John (Hohl) have been battling to be the kickoff person. Kyle would also be the backup punter."

The team will practice Tuesday evening. Wednesday's schedule will include breakfast in Lincoln and go through a walk through. After lunch, the team will bus down to Kansas City. Rhule said about 80 players will be on the travel squad, with non-participating guys and injured players heading down on Thursday. A few players who are injured but would have a tough time standing for the duration of the game won't be making the trip.

Rhule also discussed a couple of former players that have reportedly made their respective 53-man rosters in the NFL.

"(Thomas) Fidone's very special to my family. They're like the biggest Fidone fans," Rhule said. "I think the most important thing is they had a really deep tight end room; he had a really good camp. Even if he didn't make that team, he was gonna make a team."

"John Bullock, I made a point to our team, we released a video where I said something like, 'the process is undefeated for those who who won't be defeated.' I was talking about John Bullock," Rhule said.

Rhule's full appearance is below. Continue scrolling for more coverage from Tuesday, the Cincinnati side, and notes on the teams.

Coverage

  • Nebraska On SI | Matt Rhule Proud of Ex-Huskers’ Resiliency in Making NFL Rosters
  • Omaha World-Herald* | Nebraska’s Matt Rhule on Blackshirts, starting kicker and ‘home game lite’ in Kansas City
  • Omaha World-Herald* | 'Look at them now': Nebraska celebrates Thomas Fidone, John Bullock making NFL rosters
  • Husker247 | Rundown from Rhule: Blackshirt No. 11? The kicker decision. Anxiousness, not anxiety.
  • Husker247 | Transfer kicker Kyle Cunanan gets nod to handle placekicking duties
  • Husker247 | 3-minute drill: Special teams clarity and Huskers ready for the opener
  • Husker247 | Rhule proud of Fidone, Bullock battling through obstacles to make NFL rosters
  • HuskersOnline* | Rhule Report: Nebraska puts the finishing touches on Cincinnati prep
  • Hastings Tribune* | Rhule hands out 10 Blackshirts; Vincent Shavers good to go for Thursday's opener
  • Refresh the page to see the latest additions. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription.

From the other side

  • Cincinnati Enquirer* | What college football experts are predicting for Cincinnati Bearcats in 2025
  • Cincinnati Bearcats On SI | Brendan Sorsby Dives Into Key to Toppling Nebraska Defense
  • Bearcat Journal | Video: Week One Pressers - Satterfield, Veidt, Sorsby, Wilson
  • Cincinnati Enquirer* | 5 bold predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats football in 2025
  • Bearcat Journal | Drew Logan Bets on Himself Through Injuries, Grief
  • Cincinnati Bearcats On SI | Opening Depth Chart: A few notable battles won
  • 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

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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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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