Matt Rhule has led Nebraska to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.

The Cornhuskers, once a college football blueblood, have been anything but in recent years. But their dominant 44-25 win over Wisconsin means that they will play in the postseason for the first time in a decade.

“It means a lot to these seniors, I want to go hug those guys. They haven’t had this moment. Really happy for them (and) proud of them,” Rhule told the Big Ten Network after the game. “They weathered the storm, they battled. I told some of them they had to deal with me for a couple more weeks at bowl practice.”

One of those veterans is sixth-year player Ty Robinson, who totaled 5 tackles in his final game at Memorial Stadium. Robinson opted to finish out his eligibility in 2024 rather than enter the NFL Draft, with Rhule feeling the Blackshirt’s stock has risen tremendously.

“He’s one of the best players in the country. Somebody better take him really high. He came back to improve that but also to do this.”

Saturday’s win sets the tone for future seasons for the Huskers, Rhule noted.

“We have some vets, but we still have some young guys…just a well-rounded win,” he said.

Nebraska ends the regular season at Iowa, but for the first time in 8 years, postseason football is on the horizon.