Nebraska
Neutral in Chaos: Cam Lenhardt on Nebraska’s Late-Game Defensive Identity
Three days after Nebraska’s win over Maryland, defensive lineman Cam Lenhardt delivered a pointed message: This unit has undergone a mindset shift under the current coaching staff, embracing emotional steadiness in chaotic moments, executing well-rehearsed two-minute drills, and rallying around leaders who drive the team’s energy and focus.
Lenhardt offered a clear-eyed assessment of Nebraska’s defensive line performance against Maryland, acknowledging that several key metrics fell short of the unit’s usual standards. He admitted Tuesday that it “took us a little while to get into the groove” when it came to pressuring the quarterback and generating knockdowns, with the defense only truly finding its rhythm during the final two-minute drive.
“We didn’t really find that groove and get to it until the last two-minute drive,” Lenhardt noted, emphasizing how the late-game surge helped seal the win. Still, he maintained a growth-oriented mindset, stating, “A win is a win… but there’s always room for improvement.”
A defining trait of Nebraska’s defense, according to Lenhardt, is its evolved ability to handle adversity, especially during momentum swings in the second half. The team leans heavily on a “stay neutral” philosophy, which Lenhardt explains as avoiding emotional highs and lows.
“It’s always about staying neutral, no matter how high things get, how low things get.” When the game tilted against them, the sideline response was calm and intentional. “We came to the sideline and we were like, all right, let’s everybody take a deep breath, let’s lock in, and let’s go out there and clean things up,” he recalled, underscoring the maturity and composure that now define their in-game mindset.
Nebraska’s growing reputation for closing out games in the final two minutes is no accident. It’s the product of deliberate, offseason preparation. Lenhardt emphasized how the two-minute drill was a major focus throughout training camp, stating, “We practiced two-minute extremely hard… that was like an emphasis for us as a defense and the D-line.”
Now, with that preparation paying off in real-time game situations, Lenhardt sees it as a validation of the team’s dedication, “Seeing it work out and plan… that’s dedication.”
Lenhardt’s reflections ahead of the Minnesota matchup reveal a player who’s grown both physically and mentally since his collegiate debut against the Gophers in 2023. Recently freed from the protective “club” on his hand, he’s felt “a little more free… just being able to grab people,” which has added a new dimension to his practice reps.
That first start against Minnesota remains vivid: “Everything was just fast for me… These dudes are big and fast,” but with more experience, the game has slowed down and his confidence has grown. Still, he admits to carrying “a little bit of bad taste in my mouth” from that opener, fueling his motivation for the upcoming Friday night matchup, a prime-time setting that he and the team fully embrace.
Lenhardt’s insights offer more than just a postgame recap. They reveal the heartbeat of a defense learning to thrive under pressure, stay emotionally grounded, and trust the preparation that’s shaped its identity. From offseason two-minute drills to sideline regrouping and personal growth since his debut, Lenhardt embodies a team that’s evolving with purpose. As Nebraska heads into a high-stakes matchup with Minnesota, the mindset is clear: Stay neutral, stay focused, and finish strong.
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Nebraska
No. 22 Maryland Dominates Nebraska Behind 16 Points From Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu
Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, and No. 22 Maryland pulled away down the stretch for a 78-60 win over Nebraska on Saturday.
Oluchi Okananwa scored nine of the Terrapins’ 15 first-quarter points, and Maryland (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) led 45-28 at halftime after a 30-17 second quarter.
Nebraska closed within 50-33 early in the third, but Maryland answered with Addi Mack’s layup off a steal and a Yarden Garzon 3-pointer to stretch the margin back to 52-33. The Terrapins won the third quarter, 25-18, and pushed the lead past 30 on a Rainey Welson 3-ball with 5:09 left in the period.
Okananwa had 14 points and four steals, Garzon scored 11 points with six assists and Kyndal Walker added 13 off the bench. Welson finished with a career-high 13 points.
Ozzy-Momodu added nine rebounds, and Maryland finished with a 44-22 advantage in points in the paint. The Terrapins shot 50% from the field, out-rebounded Nebraska 39-26 and forced 22 turnovers.
Logan Nissley led Nebraska (16-8, 5-8) with a career-high 22 points, including 13 by halftime, and hit six 3-pointers for her first 20-point game. Britt Prince made her 54th straight free throw in the third quarter, a Nebraska school record.
Next, Maryland hosts Penn State on Thursday, while Nebraska travels to Minnesota.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Nebraska
Watch Nebraska high school state wrestling duals: Live stream, schedule
The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) high school wrestling duals are Saturday, Feb. 7, in Kearney, Nebraska.
Champions will be crowned in Class A, B, C and D.
All matches will stream live on the NFHS Network on eight mats. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. CST on Saturday.
The event will be held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney.
Here’s a look at the schedule and live stream information. All times CST.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Session 1
9 a.m.: Class B and C quarterfinals
10:30 a.m.: Class A and D quarterfinals
Noon: All classes, consolation semifinals
Session 2
1:30 p.m.: All classes, semifinals
3:30 p.m.: Third- and fifth-place duals
5:30 p.m.: Championship duals
What is the NFHS Network?
The NFHS Network covers 27 different regular-season and postseason sports nationwide. NFHS Network costs $13.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
Nebraska
Nebraska senator alleges inappropriate comments from male colleague
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A Nebraska senator announced on social media Friday that her male colleague allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments toward her.
Sen. Megan Hunt, who represents District 8, shared the alleged encounter on her social media account Friday morning. The post singled out Sen. Brian Hardin, who represents District 48, as the perpetrator of the inappropriate comments.
I approached the introducer to discuss an amendment.
I said “So, is this a non-starter?”
Him: “YOU’RE a non-starter.”
And he looked into my eyes and slowly said “You’re getting really, REALLY wet.”
Me: ….. excuse me?
Him: “If you bring the thunder, you’re gonna get REALLY wet.” https://t.co/15xhEoPs7O— Senator Megan Hunt (@NebraskaMegan) February 6, 2026
Hardin’s office provided the following statement regarding the allegation:
“Sen. Hunt’s categorization of the event is the opposite of what she claims. What I said, in the midst of her attempt to pick a fight under the balcony over LB538, was that ‘You brought the thunder, now it’s going to rain.’ She said, ‘You mean I’m all wet?’ I repeated the first line and said, ‘When it rains, you get wet.’ NOTHING in the way of sexual harassment! There are consequences for Jewish students when legislation, already passed in 47 countries and 37 states, is sidelined for leftist reasons.”
This news comes after Amherst Sen. Dan McKeon’s resignation from the Nebraska Legislature shortly before senators were set to vote on his expulsion.
McKeon resigned on Jan. 13 after being cited for misdemeanor “public indecency” by the Nebraska State Patrol in October 2025. He is accused of inappropriate touching at a party toward the end of last year’s legislative session.
The criminal allegation was downgraded to a misdemeanor disturbing the peace charge to which McKeon pled not guilty to.
His trial is set for March 19 at 2 p.m.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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