BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WOWT) – A bye week gives way to another road trip for the Huskers as they march into the back half of the regular season.
Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) takes on No. 16 Indiana (6-0, 3-0) in a pivotal Big Ten matchup between two teams that — perhaps to the surprise of their respective fanbases — are still very much alive in the race for a bid in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff with just six games left.
GAME INFO
WHERE: Indiana Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19
WATCH: FOX
LISTEN: Huskers Radio Network
VEGAS ODDS: Nebraska +6.5, O/U 49.5
The Huskers entered their bye week off a 14-7 win over then-unbeaten Rutgers two Saturdays ago. The defense shined in a game that looked like a classic Big Ten slugfest. as Rutgers only mustered 78 yards on the ground against a Blackshirts defensive front that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown all season.
“They don’t get in,” said Nebraska’s veteran defensive lineman Ty Robinson in a press conference earlier this week. “Plain and simple. That’s just our mindset and mentality. That’s what we tell each other when we’re in the huddle. ‘They don’t get in.’ We go out there and work together.”
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule greets Ben Scott (66) and Ty Robinson (9) on the sideline.(Nebraska Athletics)
For the first time in 2024, the Huskers will be an underdog when they take the field in Bloomington on Saturday. In fact, Nebraska was favored a touchdown or more in each of its first six games. While it may be new for this year’s squad, it’s not like the Huskers are total strangers to being underdogs over the past decade, and they’re leaning into that status this week.
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“I’d much prefer [being an underdog],” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said in his press conference Thursday. “I love turning on [ESPN] Gameday and seeing them all pick the other team. That’s good for us.”
Rhule’s squad has business to tend to. A win would be Nebraska’s sixth of the season, meaning the Huskers would finally cross the threshold of bowl eligibility to end their 8-year bowl drought. That possibility gets Big Red nation fired up, but Rhule and company aren’t interested — at least for now.
“I’m only focused on the game,” Rhule said. “I answered that question last year and never got there. I’m just gonna focus on the football and make sure our guys are locked in. They’re all in on everything we’re asking them to do and it’s been a great week of practice. To me, it’s just about us playing well against a great team.”
That great team standing in their way Saturday are the darlings of the 2024 college football season. Well, at least in Power 4 college football. After all, Army and Navy are both ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since the 1960s.
But speaking of the ‘60s, Indiana is 6-0 for the first time since 1967, and head coach Curt Cignetti has managed to put the Hoosier State in a state of frenzy about a sport that doesn’t involve a round ball and a hardwood court.
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Cignetti was the frontman for James Madison University during the program’s jump from FCS to FBS in 2022. Cignetti led the Dukes to become the first team to ever be ranked inside the AP Top 25 in their first year as an FBS program. Then last year, JMU went 11-1, won the Sun Belt East and appeared in a bowl game under Cignetti. And that was all she wrote.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, center, watches the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)(Darron Cummings | AP)
Cignetti signed on to be the Indiana head coach in November 2023 and has yet to lose a game. During the offseason, he enlisted the help of one of college football’s best transfer quarterbacks, luring Kurtis Rourke to Bloomington from the University of Ohio. That move has paid off, as the fifth-year senior has thrown for over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns to just two interceptions while boasting the third-highest QBR in the entire country through six games.
“[Rourke] is an excellent player in a great system,” Rhule said. “I think the biggest thing, too, is they have weapons around him. They have a great O-line. They have an excellent tight end. They have two great backs. About five receivers who can make plays. They just have a great system. They know who they are and they know what they do.”
One of those receivers is Elijah Sarratt, who quickly developed a chemistry with Rourke. Sarratt came over from JMU with Cignetti after catching eight touchdowns and racking up nearly 1,200 receiving yards in 2023. So far this year, he’s just as productive, and he will pose a challenge to a Nebraska defensive that ranks in the top 30 in passing defense.
Suffice to say the obstacles are aplenty for the Huskers as they enter what promises to be a hostile environment in front of a crowd that hasn’t experienced success on the gridiron in several decades.
But the focus remains all the same for the Huskers: Block out the noise, throw out the records and go win a football game.
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“The team that plays the best wins,” Rhule said. “Not the team with the best roster, not the team with the best record, not the team that won last week, not the team that has better music in the locker room. The team that plays better wins. So we’ll just try to be in the moment, [play] one snap at a time, and don’t worry about the scoreboard.”
MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.
The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.
According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.
The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
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NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.
This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.
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Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)
KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.
They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.
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The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.
“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”
Students representing UNK include: Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano Minden – Evan Porter, percussion Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
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With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
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Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC head coach Eric Musselman has already surpassed the wins total from his first season in charge of the Trojans. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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USC Scout
Head Coach
Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
USC leads 6-5
Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Washington guard Desmond Claude (1) was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year at USC before transferring. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Key Returners
Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Another standout guard for USC last season, Wesley Yates III (9) transferred to Washington ahead of his redshirt sophomore year. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Impact Transfers/Newcomers
Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
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While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
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Rodney Rice (1) was scoring over 20 points per game for USC before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
