Matt Rhule, Nebraska Ready for Wind, Opportunity vs. Michigan State

Originally posted on Nebraska Cornhuskers on SI
By Kaleb Henry | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 1:03 PM ET

Nebraska football is ready for the opportunity that Michigan State presents on Saturday.

But Matt Rhule says isn't about reacting to the loss to Michigan two weeks ago.

"I don't think we're still thinking about the past," Rhule told the media at Thursday's availability. "We're not embarrassed of our effort of the previous game. We just know there's things we could have done better."

The 3-1 Huskers are hosting another 3-1 team in the Michigan State Spartans.

"We're just excited about another opportunity," Rhule said. "We're playing at home. We're playing a Big Ten opponent. I don't know when the last time Nebraska beat Michigan State is, but it seems kind of like another one like Wisconsin that's been 2015 or something like that."

The last Husker win against the Spartans came in 2018, with the one before that another win in 2015. Both of those games were in Lincoln. Since that 2018 victory, Michigan State is 2-0 with both games taking place in East Lansing: 23-20 in 2021 and 20-17 in 2023.

"Not in this decade, fair enough? We look at that as an unbelievable opportunity," Rhule said.

Something both teams will have to face is the wind. Forecasts are calling for a warm day with winds of 30-40 miles per hour.

How about an early "peek" at our Anderson Wealth & Retirement Husker Gameday Forecast for this Saturday as the Spartans of Michigan State roll into town...look for warm and windy conditions for much of the day, with temps in the mid-upper 80s...and south winds 30-to-40 mph... pic.twitter.com/y99BAKgEYA
— Ken Siemek (@KenSiemek) October 2, 2025

"It's part of being here," Rhule said. "It's part of being in the region of the country that we're in. It'll be a factor in everything that you do. You might make some different decisions than normally you would. The good news is both teams have to play with it."

Nebraska is still likely to be without starting nickel Malcolm Hartzog Jr. on Saturday. Earlier this week, Rhule called him "doubtful".

"We'll work him out the day of the game and see where he's at," Rhule said Thursday.

You can watch the full media session from Thursday below. Continue scrolling for more coverage.