When the 9/11 tragedy unfolded, Matt Rhule was serving as the defensive line coach at UCLA, far from his New York roots but deeply connected to the city’s pain. At the time, he could not have imagined how closely those events—and the years surrounding them—would touch his own family. While leading Baylor, Matt Rhule reflected publicly on that day: “My thoughts always go to people who lost their family members, and today, people who lost friends, and always to the first responders and all those brave people who lived in the city that I grew up in.”

His words carried a quiet weight then, and now, in 2025, as Nebraska approaches its nonconference finale, we understand more fully the personal loss that has shaped that sadness. “I just remember the helpless feeling of being in L.A., watching it on TV. Just very surreal,” the Huskers HC expressed during his media appearance. When the crash of TWA Flight 800 happened in 1996, Rhule’s wife, Julie Rhule, lost her sister Cheryl. The person who was there for Julie and the family and had helped them with the grieving, Priest Mychal Fallon Judge, succumbed to the 9/11 tragedy.

Losing Cheryl in ’96 and then Priest Fallon Judge during 9/11 was a massive blow for Rhule and his family. And not just that. Fallon Judge was also a very important and beloved figure. He was a chaplain of the FDNY, known for compassion, courage, and service.

Also being one of the first people to rush right into the World Trade Center chaos and ultimately becoming the first certified death of that day. “I remember the team voting if we should practice that day or not. I just don’t think any of us had a real idea of just how significant of an event it was at the time, and just how lonely and homesick I felt,” Rhule added.

After pausing to reflect on 9/11 and the weight of personal loss, Rhule eventually returned to the rhythm of game week. Huskers are going up against Houston Christian, and even though this game looks easy on paper, it probably will have some mix-ups.

Matt Rhule and Co. prep for Huskies defense

There is no clear template for what HCU would pull defensively on Saturday. “So you’re constantly seeing different pictures,” Rhule admitted during the conference. See, Huskers, albeit being an FCS team, still rank 3rd in yards allowed per game. This is solely because of their D-line plays.

They like to disguise coverages, shift alignments, and throw different looks even within a single drive. This translates to a direct threat to the offensive firepower we have seen coming out of the Huskers. Yes, Rhule and Co. have managed to wrap up the board with over 720 yards against Akron, but will this Huskies defense end up putting a stopper on it?

We all know that Dylan Raiola has been on a roll. The kid has the perfect rhythm as of now, but how long till he gets pressured and put on a leash? Keep in mind that even though HCU is next on the board, the biggest challenge to Rhule’s undefeated run will come from a Wolverines team that is just waiting with its jaw open and fist clenched for a comeback.

Get out of this one healthy, and maybe Rhule and Co. could end up giving Michigan another reality check.