All season long, I’ve been tracking an “Arbitrary Stat of the Week” related to Nebraska football. Now that the season is over, I wanted to review how Nebraska finished in some of these categories and what might be relevant to 2025. This is part two of a two-part series examining each of my Arbitrary Stats of the Week and which ones might be relevant in 2025.
Patience is a virtue for Nebraska football with true freshmen quarterbacks
Dylan Raiola certainly had his ups and downs during his freshman season. It is rare that true freshmen quarterbacks make a significant impact during their first year in college the way Trevor Lawrence or Jalen Hurts did. Dylan Raiola and the Huskers showed signs of progress, which was the goal before a hopeful leap in year 3.
Among the 467 quarterbacks to throw a pass in their true freshmen seasons, Dylan Raiola ranks 3rd for completions, 13th in yards, 36th in passing touchdowns, and 9th for completion percentage (minimum 100 attempts). Nebraska had 8.1 expected wins as a team, ranking 21st among teams where a true freshman threw at least 100 passes (114 teams). 2024 was a solid step forward for the program.
Nebraska had set a historic mark after its Ohio State loss. It managed to go just 1-3 in one-score game after Ohio State. Nebraska football now holds the all-time record for most one-score losses in a year spanning from 1 through 17 seasons. The Huskers ended the season on a high note as they were able to control the ball to hold onto a one-score win in their bowl game. The final drive of that game represents a shift in the mindset of this team. They were able to put the game away without allowing Boston College to make a comeback against Nebraska football.
Patience is a virtue for Nebraska football as we head to 2025
Reasons for fear or cheer in the final quarter of the Nebraska football season
Nebraska managed to go just 1-2 in their final three games against a group of opponents with the lowest win total through nine games in the Husker’s Big Ten era. To add insult to injury, Nebraska had an excellent opportunity to go 3-0 in that stretch. Nebraska football’s regular season opponents finished with 74 wins in 2024 – tied for 55th in the nation. However, its opponent's cumulative scoring margin ranked 39th. The Huskers faced a good schedule in 2024, which should serve as a building block for the program’s growth.
The decline of the Nebraska football running back and how it parallels the program
Emmett Johnson responded to my criticism of the Husker's running game by rushing for 100 yards against Wisconsin a few days later. This was the first season since 2012 that Nebraska football produced two 500-yard running backs, with both Dante Dowdell and Emmett Johnson hitting 500. After briefly flirting with the transfer portal, Emmett Johnson looks primed to be a great running back in the Big Ten in 2025. I expected 1000 rushing yards from him next season.
The offense was a point of contention all season until Matt Rhule made a switch by bringing in Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator. Holgorsen was able to spark the Huskers rushing attack going from an average of 125 yards per game rushing under Marcus Satterfield to 144 with Holgorsen. Despite being known for his passing attacks, Nebraska football actually passed for three fewer yards per game under Holgorsen. However, they became much more accurate passing the ball, improving from 63.7% to 71.4%. The Huskers added 0.1 yards per play overall after the change on the way to a 2-2 record with Holgorsen calling plays.
This is the floor for the Nebraska football offense with Dylan Raiola. Over a 12-game regular season, the Huskers would average 2700 yards passing and 1700 yards rushing if it maintained Holgorsen’s pace. In 2024, five Big Ten offenses had these numbers including all four Big Ten representatives in the College Football Playoff (USC was fifth). A full year of learning Dana Holgorsen’s system should help propel the Huskers in the future.
Nebraska football had a good 2024, but they need to take another step forward in 2025. The Huskers return the core of a young offense and have an offseason to learn from a great offensive mind in Dana Holgorsen. The offense will need to be a strength for this team next season, as the defense is likely to take a step back with departures to the NFL and the portal. If Nebraska football's offense can make a leap, Nebraska could be competing for a playoff spot in 2025.