Rhule 'Excited' for Game at Maryland, Not Interested in Complaining About Travel

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  Travel and Leisure on Mon, Oct 06th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

Nebraska’s Mike Rhule: “Travel is part of the game, not the problem”

When the Cornhuskers’ head coach, Mike Rhule, talks about the upcoming clash with the Maryland Terrapins, he does it with the same energy that has carried the program through a whirlwind of changes over the past two seasons. In a candid interview published by Sports Illustrated ahead of the 2025 Big Ten showdown in Baltimore, Rhule made it clear that he is “excited for the game at Maryland” and “not interested in complaining about travel.” The remark, which might sound trivial at first glance, actually encapsulates a key mindset that the Nebraska coaching staff is trying to instill in a team that has had to adapt to a new conference, new rivals and a new way of life in the American Midwest.

The travel element

The Cornhuskers’ schedule is a test of stamina and mental toughness. From a week‑long trip to the Big Ten’s West Division opponents in Utah to a 500‑mile drive to Iowa for a Thursday night showdown, the team’s travel routine is rigorous. Rhule’s comments come after a recent discussion with SI about how the program handles logistics—especially as Nebraska’s first-ever trip to a Baltimore‑based stadium (M&T Bank Stadium) will be their most distant away game this season. He acknowledged the “long flight, time‑zone changes, and a lot of packing” but framed them as an integral part of a coach’s job. “I love travel,” Rhule said, “it’s the most important part of the game.” He added that the coaching staff uses every minute on the plane or bus for film study, strategy sessions and team bonding.

In the SI piece, Rhule also referenced a small but important detail: the Terrapins will host the game in a venue that is a 35‑minute drive from the historic Camden Yards, a location that is often a highlight for the team’s travel itinerary. For Nebraska, the logistics are a little more complex because the Huskers’ campus is in Lincoln, and the drive from the state capital to the East Coast takes well over ten hours. But Rhule’s focus remains on the positives—new experiences for the players, exposure to a different fan base, and the chance to prove themselves on a larger stage.

The broader context of the 2025 schedule

Rhule’s interview sits against the backdrop of the 2025 schedule, which SI highlighted with a quick snapshot: a 12‑game slate that includes 8 conference games and 4 non‑conference matchups. Nebraska’s 2025 lineup features early‑season games against Notre Dame and a mid‑season matchup at Nebraska’s flagship—Lincoln’s Moby Dick Stadium. The SI article links to the official NCAA schedule for both Nebraska and Maryland, providing quick access for readers who want to dig into past results, upcoming opponents and key dates.

The Cornhuskers have been on a rebuilding trajectory under Rhule. His first season in 2024 finished 5‑7, but the team showed flashes of improvement on both sides of the ball. The defense, in particular, saw a 15‑point drop in points allowed per game after a strategic shift to a 3‑4 base scheme. The offense, meanwhile, has been a work in progress, with a new offensive coordinator, Tom Moore, tasked with integrating a hybrid run‑and‑shoot approach.

Recruiting and program outlook

In his interview, Rhule didn’t shy away from the recruiting aspect of the program. He highlighted the class of 2025, noting that Nebraska has landed 22 top‑30 prospects in the state, including a standout running back from Omaha, as well as two defensive backs from the local high‑school elite programs. “The guys in this class are a big step up,” Rhule said, “they’re hungry, disciplined, and they’re already starting to feel the culture we’ve built.”

The SI article includes a link to a separate recruiting breakdown that covers Nebraska’s top five recruits, providing a deeper look at the player profiles and their projected impact on the 2025 season. Rhule’s confidence in the new wave of talent is a central theme in his interview, underscoring that the program’s future depends as much on player development as on game day execution.

The Maryland game: a big‑ten test

The game at Maryland is more than a win‑or‑loss situation; it’s a litmus test for the Cornhuskers’ integration into the Big Ten’s competitive fabric. Maryland’s coaching staff, led by head coach Mike Locksley, has built a defense that forces quick tackles and a high‑tempo offense that can keep Nebraska’s defense on its toes. The SI piece provides a historical overview: Nebraska has only ever lost once at Maryland in the entire history of the rivalry, a 34‑0 shutout in 2018, and Rhule’s program is eager to change that narrative.

Rhule emphasized the importance of preparation over speculation. “We’ve studied the game film. We’ve learned where they attack and how to counter it,” he said. The interview also references a prior interview with the Daily Nebraskan, where Rhule talked about the mental resilience required for a team that often finds itself playing on the road against teams with larger fan bases. The SI article builds on that by including a short video clip of the coach discussing the mental game in the 2024 season.

In short

Mike Rhule’s message to fans, players and the broader media is clear: Nebraska is ready for Maryland, they will tackle the travel logistics with professionalism, and the program is building a culture of resilience, competitiveness and growth. The SI article, with its supplementary links to schedules, recruiting data and historical statistics, offers readers a comprehensive snapshot of the 2025 Cornhusker campaign and the pivotal game that could define the program’s trajectory. As Rhule put it, the Cornhuskers may be traveling a long way, but their focus is firmly on the field, and that’s what will carry them forward.