Nebraska
Buffs fall flat as Deion calls O-line play ‘a problem’
LINCOLN, Neb. — After his team’s first loss of the season and second-lowest scoring output of his tenure, Colorado coach Deion Sanders was left wondering how to get his offense back on track.
The Buffaloes were shut out in the first half, struggled to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders and finished with 16 total rushing yards in their 28-10 road loss to Nebraska on Saturday night.
Colorado (1-1) fell behind quickly against a foe it beat 36-14 last season and trailed 14-0 when Shedeur Sanders threw an interception from his own end zone that Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill returned for a 7-yard touchdown, a turnover he called a “rookie mistake.” Colorado ran 11 plays in the first quarter for a net gain of minus-2 yards.
“The way we started is just not indicative of who we are,” Deion Sanders said, “and we just never got it together.”
Facing frequent pressure, Shedeur Sanders threw for 244 yards and one score on 23-of-38 passing. He was sacked five times, and the Buffs went 4-of-14 on third-down conversions. He did not finish the game, exiting for the final four minutes of the fourth quarter as a precaution after a helmet-to-helmet hit.
Shedeur Sanders told reporters afterward he was “a little banged up” but OK and praised Nebraska’s defensive line for its performance.
“Protections were a problem,” Deion Sanders said. “You know, I’m trying to be polite and say it, because you know I can say the same thing you’re thinking, but if I say it, you’d say I’m throwing my guys up under the bus. I’m not doing that whatsoever. Protections were a problem. We gotta figure out a way to prevent that and do a better job with that.”
Colorado couldn’t get much done in the run game to take pressure of its passer. Its running backs combined for five carries for 16 yards through three quarters and failed to convert two fourth-and-1 rushing attempts on the night.
The Buffaloes finished last in FBS in rushing yards in 2023 with 827 through 12 games. They threw for 445 yards and rushed for 59 in their 31-26 win against North Dakota State to open the season. After rebuilding the offensive line primarily with transfer portal additions, Deion Sanders acknowledged his team needs to figure out how to execute a consistent run game.
When asked why it was so difficult for Colorado’s offense to respond to Nebraska’s defense, he replied, “I have no idea. If we would’ve known that answer, I think we would’ve responded quicker. It’s like we just never got it going until it was too late.”
The Buffaloes trailed 28-0 entering halftime after Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola fired a pass over the middle to running back Rahmir Johnson that Colorado linebacker LaVonta Bentley nearly intercepted. Instead, the ball popped up in the air and fell to Johnson, who ran off for an 18-yard score.
“When stuff like that happens, you just gotta take your hat off and say, ‘Oh Lord, it’s not our day, baby,’” Deion Sanders said. “Because that stuff just don’t normally happen. That was crazy. Heck of a play.”
Colorado’s defense didn’t give up another score the rest of the way and forced five consecutive punts in the second half. Deion Sanders was pleased that his team kept competing, but there were far too many mistakes throughout, including nine penalties for 104 yards and a blocked field goal attempt, to put together a rally.
Shedeur Sanders said his team will go back to the drawing board and work to get it right. The Buffaloes are back on the road next Saturday against in-state rival Colorado State, which took the Buffaloes to overtime in 2023, before their first run through Big 12 conference play begins Sept. 21 against Baylor. Against one of the toughest schedules in the conference, they’re going to need a lot more offensive balance — and a lot more points.
“We have a tremendous offense,” Deion Sanders said. “We should be able to move the ball on anyone. We should be able to protect with the experience that we have offensively. We just couldn’t get it going today.”
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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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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