2025 Episode 16: Huskers Black Out Against USC

This is the Husker Doc Talk Podcast — 2025, Episode 16 — with Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka. If you’re watching on YouTube, smash that subscribe button and ring the bell so new episodes land right away. Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else? Tap “Follow” so we’re always in your queue, and leave a quick review to help more Husker fans find the show.

This week, we start with the Saturday night roller coaster in Lincoln. Nebraska had USC on the ropes at halftime, and Travis was ready to declare it Matt Rhule’s signature win… until the second half flipped. We dig into the turning points: Dylan Raiola’s third-quarter exit, why Nebraska’s run fits unraveled, and how a defense that held USC to 337 total yards still surrendered the game on the ground. Dr. Rob walks through the trenches: the interior getting knocked back, contain issues on the edge, and what that means in a Big Ten built on downhill football.

Quarterback talk is unavoidable. Raiola isn’t the problem — but does TJ Lateef’s mobility unlock a different ceiling for this offense? We kick around what a full week of starter reps could look like for Lateef, what the receiver room needs to do to separate, and the difference between “better play-calling” and “good play-calling.” On the bright side: Emmett Johnson keeps carrying the load (29 carries, 165 yards in this one) and is tracking toward an All–Big Ten season.

Then it’s the stretch run: UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa. Which is the most winnable game — and why are the guys circling Penn State on the road? Rob resets expectations (seven wins feels like the realistic new baseline) and pinpoints the line play improvements from Evans at center and the one-and-done boost from Rocco Spindler — plus where tackle remains a concern. Would a dedicated tackles coach help? (Cue the Brian Ferentz-as-OL-coach debate and a few memes.)

We also tackle the “blackout” conversation. Production value? A+. The look? Eerie and cool. But do alternate uniforms move the needle when you’re not stacking wins? Travis argues it’s a gimmick fans love but recruits don’t care about in the NIL era — wins matter most. Agree or disagree, the crowd delivered.

From there we zoom out to the national picture: the coaching carousel spinning, big-name jobs opening, and why stability in Lincoln still matters. Rhule’s extension makes sense, but staff self-scouting has to be ruthless. Want to build sustainably? We go deep on recruiting philosophy with a Bill Bush-inspired segment: the #1 trait is competitiveness — grit — not just measurables. It’s why some overlooked kids become program pillars while five-stars fade. That launches a lively sidebar on in-state QB recruiting (hello, Braylon Warren), relationship equity, and why you still offer your best local players even if the depth chart is crowded.

We even sneak in some winning football: Augustana is 9-0 and sitting pretty in its super region despite injuries — Rob’s rocking the powder-blue lid and explains DII regional calculus like a pro. Speaking of lids, we commiserate about $50 hats and why the right one is worth it.

Shoutouts to the folks who keep this free for you:

• Orr Law Group — litigation, estate planning, NIL savvy and more. Visit OrrLawGRP.com.

• Husker Hounds — holiday gear, hoops season threads, and all things Big Red. 84th & Center, Lakeside Plaza, or HuskerHounds.com.

• GDEFY shoes — VersoShock tech that saves your feet. Hit GDEFY.com and use code DOCTALK50 (all caps) on orders $100+.