Nebraska Football's $52 Million Buyout Problem

Nebraska football fans faced a familiar frustration on Saturday night as the Huskers lost to Washington at Memorial Stadium. The loss extended a three-game skid that has left the team with a 2-17 record in games where they scored 17 points or fewer. For supporters, the outcome confirmed that the offense must produce more points, as the defense has allowed only 20, 17, and 17 points in those three losses.

The team’s struggles have intensified scrutiny of head coach Matt Rhule. Rhule signed a contract extension last year that runs through 2032. His base salary for 2026 is $4,781,250, rising to $9,375,000 by the end of the deal. The total buyout value for his contract is just over $52.2 million. This financial commitment restricts the university's ability to replace him mid-season.

The cost to fire Rhule would likely extend to the athletic director. Troy Dannen, who signed the extension, has a buyout of approximately $7 million. Together, the buyouts total nearly $60 million before accounting for assistant coaches or the Memorial Stadium renovation project. That stadium upgrade is estimated to cost around $600 million.

On Saturday, 86,097 fans attended the game. The crowd stood and cheered for nearly the full duration of the contest. The atmosphere was loud enough that the public address announcer repeatedly instructed fans not to throw items onto the field after Washington took the lead. Most objects came from the student sections in the southeast corner, with some water bottles flying from the north side.

Nebraska committed eight penalties for a total of 74 yards. These mistakes included an offsides call that erased an interception and a delay of game penalty that pushed a scoring drive back to the 10-yard line. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw two incomplete passes in that sequence before taking a sack. Kicker Kyle Cunanan missed a field goal from 36 yards out.

The offense showed little consistency. Colandrea was credited with seven carries but adjusted to five after sacks. He gained 29 yards on those attempts. In 29 of the 41 college football games he has played, Colandrea has had at least eight carries. Against Big Ten teams this season, he averaged 12.5 carries before the Washington game.

The Huskers are scheduled to play Illinois on a Friday night. The team must score more points to return to winning form. The coaching staff has indicated they will simplify the playbook and focus on execution rather than installing new systems in November.

Rhule remains under contract through 2032. The next opportunity to address the team's performance will come after the season ends. Until then, the financial terms of his deal remain the primary constraint on leadership changes.