Year 3 of the Matt Rhule era is loading, and it’s starting with a big bang. Forget easing into the season with a cupcake of an easy opener. Nebraska’s 2025 debut is going down in where Patrick Mahomes lives and breathes football. And Dylan Raiola might be taking his first big swing on the same turf where his idol works his magic. After all, it’s the first time since 2006 that Nebraska is playing in Kansas City. 

Matt Rhule joined an episode on HuskerOnline on May 13 and didn’t hold back on Nebraska’s season opener. He offered a raw glimpse into how he sees this team and how symbolic this Arrowhead Stadium opener really is. While he didn’t visit the stadium himself on his Kansas City trip, his deputy AD, Haven Fields, did. When he brought back a photo from the press box showing a “partially done” turf, he had a moment. “It’s kind of like our team,” he said. “Like we can see where we’re headed but we’re not done yet. So I’m excited for it.” And this also isn’t just about playing in an NFL stadium.

Matt Rhule made it clear. This game is bigger than a typical season opener. “I met some people from the legislature there, I met some influential people in sports there in Kansas and Kansas City,” he said. “Saw some people from the Chiefs while I was down there so I think people in that area are really excited that we’re coming down. We’re recruiting that area at a really high level.”

Cincinnati is no opponent to underestimate. As Rhule warned, “They have an excellent team. They’ve got a great quarterback so we’ll be challenged right off the bat. This is no layup to start the season now.” And he’s right. If Nebraska wants to shake off years of mediocrity and actually act like a Big Ten contender, they’ve got to run through the fire early. 

And here’s an interesting part about Dylan Raiola, the 5-star QB prodigy who’s finally getting a shot on the big stage. During spring practice, he didn’t shy away from the Mahomes‘ comparison. “Guys like Mahomes, they make it look easy, but it’s hours of work,” he said. “I’m trying to get better at that — extending plays like he does.” His OC, Dana Holgorsen, backed that up — “Dylan loves watching Mahomes, and you can see it in how he tries to mimic some of those off-platform throws.” The story writes itself. This is the Huskers QB’s first shot at possibly making a lasting impression on Patrick Mahomes. So you can be sure he’s going to be at his best. 

Matt Rhule and the Huskers will be under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium

Nebraska’s 2025 season will kick off under the lights on August 28 at 8 PM CDT, broadcast live on ESPN. The Huskers face the Bearcats at Arrowhead in what is technically a neutral-site game after a shift from what’s supposed to be Cincinnati’s home game. But expect that sea of red to take over KC. This isn’t just Nebraska’s first game at the stadium since the 2006 Big 12 Championship game. This will also be their first regular-season Kansas City clash since 1998.

Such a stage is perfect for a program trying to relight the fire. The game will also be the two teams’ second all-time meeting. This is also the second time for the Huskers to open at a neutral site in four seasons since that last one against Northwestern in Dublin in 2022. Also, it’s the fourth time in five seasons they’re opening the season on a Thursday night.

But the excitement is clear as Matt Rhule added, “To go play in Arrowhead to start the year, I think it’s just going to be hopefully a really good experience for the students and for all the Husker fans out there.” August 28 is going to be one swell of a game. Patrick Mahomes’ turf. Prime time. Dylan Raiola’s moment. And Matt Rhule’s excitement. Let’s see what Nebraska’s made of.