A quick start and all the hope that came with it had become a distant memory by the time Nebraska football’s 2025 season drew to a close.
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Photos: Nebraska vs. Utah in Las Vegas Bowl, Dec. 31, 2025
Utah's Devon Dampier (4) runs the ball into the end zone to score a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah head coach Morgan Scalley during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jamir Conn (13) tackles Utah's Mana Carvalho (28) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Utah's Devon Dampier (4) throws the ball during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Larry Simmons (12) makes a catch in front of Nebraska's Andrew Marshall (10) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jamir Conn (13) attempts to stop Utah's Devon Dampier (4) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Justyn Rhett (12) and Ceyair Wright (1) tackle Utah's Devon Dampier (4) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's JJ Buchanan (81) attempts to make a catch against Nebraska's Ceyair Wright (1) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jacory Barney Jr. (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Utah with Mekhi Nelson (35) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Justin Evans (51) blocks Utah's Johnathan Hall (7) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jacory Barney Jr. (2) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against Utah during the Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The helmet of Utah's Devon Dampier (4) comes off as he scores a touchdown after a review after being hit by Nebraska's Elijah Jeudy (16) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
The helmet of Utah's Devon Dampier (4) comes off as he scores a touchdown after a review after being hit by Nebraska's Elijah Jeudy (16) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
The helmet of Utah's Devon Dampier (4) comes off as he scores a touchdown after a review after being hit by Nebraska's Elijah Jeudy (16) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Devon Dampier (4) tries to stretch for extra yardage to score a touchdown as he is hit by Nebraska's Elijah Jeudy (16) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Devon Dampier (4) celebrates scoring Utah's first touchdown during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Dallen Bentley (88) catches a pass for a first down as Nebraska's Justyn Rhett (12) and Ceyair Wright (1) defend during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Dallen Bentley (88) catches a pass for a first down as Nebraska's Justyn Rhett (12) and Ceyair Wright (1) defend during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Devon Dampier (4) throws a pass during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska associate head coach Phil Snow looks at a chart during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Tyler Knaak (75) is greeted by Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule after Nebraska's first touchdown during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Mekhi Nelson (35) scores Nebraska's first touchdown during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Isaiah Mozee (22) runs with the ball during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Mekhi Nelson (35) cheers after a run during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska fans cheer during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Mekhi Nelson (35) scores Nebraska's first touchdown during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Mekhi Nelson (35) scores Nebraska's first touchdown during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jalyn Gramstad (12) warms up prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska players warm up prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska and Utah fans prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
A look inside Allegiant Stadium prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's TJ Lateef (14) warms up prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska staff brushes game balls prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's TJ Lateef (14) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Emmett Johnson walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Henry Lutovsky (59) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Tyler Knaak (75) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska associate head coach Phil Snow and the Huskers walk onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Williams Nwaneri (96) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Tristan Alvano (30) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Justyn Rhett (12) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska players and coaches huddle on the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walks off the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Nebraska's Jacory Barney Jr. (2) walks onto the field prior to the Las Vegas Bowl between the Nebraska Huskers and the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Utah's Lander Barton speaks during a press conference at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a press conference at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a press conference Tuesday at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
A Las Vegas Bowl helmet is seen during a press conference at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and Utah head coach Morgan Scalley speak during a press conference at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
