Nebraska
The Turning Point: Nebraska Football vs. Illinois
Friday was an incredible game under the lights of Memorial Stadium. Two ranked teams put their hearts and souls into a game to prove their early season success wasn’t a fluke and went onto the gridiron to prove that they can be the surprise story of the Big Ten Conference in what’s already been a wild and unpredictable college football season.
This game reminded me of a prize boxing match. Both competitors looked the part. Regardless of who won or lost, spectators could appreciate how good both competitors were.
The Huskers and Illini offenses looked great, boasting excellent quarterback play and a barrage of outside weapons to complement a tough running game. On the defensive end, Illinois and Nebraska made game-changing plays that would appear on the field regardless of the opponent.
After 60 minutes of back-and-forth play, it was no surprise to anyone that the two needed extra rounds to decide the winner.
But one play flipped the game—one play turned the table more than before or after. This play is our Turning Point
After a strip-sack fumble by Jimari Butler, our second-place turning point finisher, Nebraska had the game in its hand. Huskers Dylan Raiola and Dante Dowdell led a physical and clock-draining drive that was set up to send a historical 400th sellout Husker crowd home happy and undefeated.
After Raiola missed a wide-open Lindenmeyer in the end zone on third down, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule trotted out his field goal unit. The backup kicker, John Hohl, in for the injured Tristan Alvano, walked onto the field for the biggest moment of his career. A raucous Nebraska crowd came to a near silence.
Hohl lined up for a 39-yard field goal and pushed it left. The noncompetitive kick produced groans that could be heard throughout Nebraska. The collective thoughts of Husker fans throughout the country were, “here we go again.”
Let’s be honest. It felt like that was the thought throughout the Husker faithful when Raiola overthrew Lindennmeyer. But even after that play, there was still some optimism. There was still a belief that this team and this season were different, and the Cornhuskers’ recent history of letting close games slip through their fingertips did not apply to Raiola and company.
While the missed field goal didn’t mean the end of the game to the national audience, it did to Nebraska fans. Everyone knew what was coming because they’d seen the same movie. You can recast the coaches, the quarterbacks, and the circumstances, but for the last decade, the ending has remained the same. Nebraska loses, and the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” game is played for the next week.
Rhule’s greatest challenge as Nebraska’s leader was getting rid of a stigma that existed before him. Despite adopting the moniker “chasing three,” his efforts so far have failed to produce Nebraska’s desired goals. Husker fans are praying and waiting for the day that happens.
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MORE: Analytics Review: Nebraska Football vs. Illinois
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MORE: LOOK: Nebraska Football Falls to Illinois in Overtime
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NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Nebraska Extension hosted a workshop Wednesday morning for ag producers, focusing on how to use drought monitoring and forecasting tools, assess drought impacts and risks, explore management strategies, and identify available resources.
Organizers say the goal is to help producers make more informed, timely decisions as changing weather patterns continue to affect soil moisture, crop conditions, and long-term planning.
The session also highlighted practical tools farmers can use to track drought development and adjust operations before conditions worsen.
“The really warm temperatures and strong wind just sucked the moisture out of the soil, out of the vegetation and this has been going on since at least October and were not going to come out of it over the night, it’s going to take a while to rebuild those moisture supplies even if we get average moisture it will be enough for vegetation but it won’t helped us recover what we’ve already lost,” said Deborah Bathke, Nebraska state climatologist.
Officials add that continued education and early planning are key to helping producers stay resilient through increasingly variable growing seasons.
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Adam Carriker is joined by HuskerOnline publisher Sean Callahan to break down the upcoming season for Matt Rhule and Nebraska football. Callahan gives unique insight on what Nebraska’s offense may look like, realistic expectation for quarterback Anthony Colandrea, if the offensive line is legit better, the new 4-2-5 defense, the undersized defensive line and if the Huskers will win more than seven games. Also, will Nebraska basketball make a Sweet 16 run again?
Hit the play button for that and more in this episode of the Carriker Chronicles. For a synopsis, scroll down.
Synopsis
In the latest installment of the Carriker Chronicles, Adam Carriker and Sean Callahan discuss the upcoming season for Nebraska football and why this year is so important. They explain that Year 4 under Matt Rhule is a big turning point because by now, the program should reflect his system, culture, and recruiting. If things are going to work long-term, this is the season where fans should really start to see it.
One of the first things they talk about is the overall vibe of the offseason. Callahan mentions that Nebraska has “closed the lab,” meaning the team is done experimenting and now fully focused on playing football. The expectation is that players understand the system better and can execute at a higher level without the outside distractions.
They also discuss the offense and what it might look like under Dana Holgorsen. While there may be some similarities to past systems, there will also be differences based on the players Nebraska has. Part of the conversation is quarterback Anthony Colandrea, and they set realistic expectations for him. He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he does need to be consistent, make plays with his feet and take care of the football.
The offensive line is another key topic. Callahan believes the group has improved this offseason, especially with players like Elijah Pritchett, who seems to be on the uptick. If the offensive line can protect the quarterback and create running lanes, it could make a huge difference for the entire offense. They also mention the running back room, which has potential but still needs to prove itself during the season.
On defense, Nebraska is expected to run more of a 4-2-5 scheme this year. This means more speed on the field, but it also raises questions about size, especially on the defensive line. One of the biggest concerns is whether the defensive front can hold up against physical teams. However, they point out that the secondary might be the strongest position group, which could help balance things out.
Special teams are briefly discussed, with the expectation that they will be solid but not necessarily a major strength or weakness. Recruiting is another area where Nebraska seems to be trending in the right direction, which is important for building long-term success.
They also touch on men’s basketball and whether the team can make another Sweet 16 run. While it’s possible, it will depend heavily on player development and who will replace those that have left.
To wrap it up, they debate whether Nebraska football will win more than seven games this season. It’s seen as a realistic but challenging goal. This is a critical year for Matt Rhule and the program, and fans should have a much clearer idea of the team’s future by the end of the season.
Program order
- 00:00: Intro
- 01:09: Sean Callahan Joins the Show
- 01:54: Year 4 Under Matt Rhule
- 04:04: Offseason Vibe: Closing the Lab, Focusing on Football
- 05:30: Dana Holgorsen: Similarities & Differences to Expect
- 07:30: Offensive Line: Offseason Improvements
- 09:45: Elijah Pritchett Spotlight
- 12:54: Running Back Room: What to Expect
- 15:20: Defensive Scheme: What to Expect This Year
- 18:53: Biggest Defensive Question Marks
- 22:10: Strongest Defensive Position Group
- 23:00: Special Teams Outlook
- 25:08: Recruiting Class Breakdown
- 27:45: Nebraska Basketball Preview
- 29:50: Over/Under: 7 Wins Next Season
- 31:18: Fan Questions
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska baseball team lost to Kansas 9-7 on Tuesday in front of a record crowd at Hoglund Park. The Huskers took an early lead on an RBI single by National Freshman of the Week Drew Grego. After giving up three unanswered runs, Nebraska rallied to go back in front on a 3rd-inning single by Will Jesske. Both Grego and Jesske finished with two hits in the game.
Kansas, however, took control in the middle innings. The Jayhawks got home runs from Tyson Owens and Josh Dykoff in the sixth frame. Both round-trippers came off NU relief pitcher Ty Horn. Kansas added insurance in the 7th inning before a late rally by the Huskers.
Nebraska trimmed a five-run deficit to two, but couldn’t complete the comeback on the road.
The Huskers’ loss is their second to the Jayhawks this season. Nebraska’s record drops to 31-10 overall.
Will Bolt’s team returns to action on Friday at Illinois. Game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Champaign.
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