Rhule addressed the Doak Walker finalists announcement head-on during his media session. The award, given annually to the nation’s top running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Department, named three finalists: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacey. Johnson, despite leading the Big Ten in rushing and ranking third nationally in yards from scrimmage (1,582 all-purpose yards through 11 games), wasn’t among them.
Rhule’s response? He started with a simple admission: “I was disappointed.” He praised his offensive line’s commitment to blocking for Johnson and stressed how the junior tailback’s selflessness sets him apart—“one thing about Emmett Johnson that will stay with me forever is that it’s always about the team with him.” He even gave props to the finalists without naming them: “I don’t know the three guys real well, so I’m sure they all have done a nice job as well.” No fury, no “eruption”—just a coach advocating for recognition while keeping it classy.
This contrasts sharply with the article’s portrayal of a “fiery, unforgettable moment” that “flipped the entire college football world upside down.” Video clips from the presser (shared widely on X) show Rhule calm and reflective, not voice-cracking or pausing dramatically. The “ten minutes” of outrage? That seems fabricated—reporters noted it as a straightforward, stats-backed plea, not a media-room meltdown.
Emmett Johnson’s Case: Why the Snub Stings
Johnson’s 2025 season has been a revelation for a Nebraska program rebuilding under Rhule. Entering the Iowa game, he had:
• 1,131 rushing yards (second in FBS, first in Big Ten)
• 14 total touchdowns (10 rushing, 3 receiving, 1 other)
• 1,431 yards from scrimmage (leading the nation at 37% of Nebraska’s total offense)
• Four 100-yard games in Big Ten play—the only power-conference RB to achieve that
He’s been the “unsung engine” the article describes: durable (239 touches without missing time), tough (breaking tackles, powering through injuries), and humble (post-game interviews always credit teammates like QB Dylan Raiola and the O-line). Earlier in the season, after a 217-yard explosion against UCLA, Rhule did go bigger, calling Johnson a Heisman finalist, Doak Walker winner, and first-team All-American. “I personally believe Emmett Johnson should be in New York,” Rhule said then. But by finals time, the tone shifted to quiet advocacy.
Nebraska’s 7-4 record (4-4 in Big Ten) likely played a role in the snub—awards committees often weigh team success. Johnson’s semifinalist nod back on November 18 was a milestone (Nebraska’s first in years), but falling short of the final three sparked rightful debate
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