Nebraska
Five takeaways from P.J. Fleck’s news conference: Gophers are slow starters
Punter Tom Weston averaged 46.4 yards on his seven punts, having one fair caught at the Boilermakers 14-yard line.
“We were locked in on special teams,” Fleck said. “We made huge punts at critical moments; Tom did a good job with that. … And we were able to be consistent in the field-goal game, and that helped us. We made our two field goals. They missed one.”
The Gophers safety duo of Kerry Brown and Koi Perich each had an interception — Brown’s pick ending a Purdue scoring threat at the Minnesota 1 and Perich’s pick-six providing the winning points. Fleck had praise for another member of the secondary, sixth-year player Jai’Onte’ McMillan.
After the Gophers took a 27-20 lead on Perich’s 27-yard interception return for a TD with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter, Purdue drove to the Gophers 7 and faced fourth-and-goal with two minutes left. Quarterback Ryan Browne fired a pass to Michael Jackson III at the goal line, but McMillan, a transfer from TCU, knocked the ball away from Jackson, ending the Boilermakers’ last good threat.
“He is a selfless player,” Fleck said. “He can play nickel, he can play the dime, he can play safety. He’s very versatile. He’s played a lot of football in his career, so I’m just really proud of the selfless teammate that he is.’’
Fleck considers Nebraska coach Matt Rhule a friend, and the two joined UNLV coach Dan Mullen last summer for a Kenny Chesney concert in Las Vegas.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s Recruiting Momentum Continues with 2027 Safety Still Considering Huskers
A 2027 four-star safety is beginning to sharpen the focus of his recruitment, trimming down the list of schools under consideration, and Nebraska remains firmly in the mix.
Kennedy Green from Douglasville, Georgia, has a combination of production and playmaking ability that is already drawing national attention. The Huskers’ inclusion underscores their continued push to secure top defensive talent for the future. This latest development adds intrigue to Nebraska’s recruiting narrative as the program looks to build momentum heading into the next cycle.
The prospect is rated a 90 overall by 247Sports, placing him at No. 201 nationally in the 2027 class. At the safety position, he comes in ranked No. 23, while within the state of Georgia, he holds the No. 21 spot. This combination of rankings highlights him as a strong four-star recruit with both regional and national recognition for his defensive skills.
Green’s recruitment is heating up, with several powerhouse programs still in contention. Nebraska has secured a spot among his top choices, joining South Carolina, Tennessee, Miami, North Carolina, and Florida State as schools under serious consideration.
Each program brings its own appeal, from tradition-rich defenses to regional ties, but Nebraska’s inclusion highlights the Huskers’ growing presence on the national recruiting stage. As the safety narrows his focus, the battle among these programs is expected to intensify, with Nebraska positioned to make a compelling case for his future.
NEWS: 2027 4-star safety Kennedy Green is narrowing focus on schools, eyeing early decision.
The latest: https://t.co/5d7Hcag6qK pic.twitter.com/oLU4D9Piwy
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) December 7, 2025
In 2024, Green put together a consistent and productive season, finishing with 75 total tackles, including three tackles for loss, while adding two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He also showcased his playmaking ability in coverage, recording six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Altogether, his 2024 stat line reflects a balanced impact across multiple phases of the defense, combining reliability in tackling with game-changing plays in the secondary.
Green’s fit at Nebraska comes down to his versatility, defensive instincts, and the Huskers’ need for playmakers in the secondary. His skill set aligns with Nebraska’s emphasis on physical, multi-phase athletes who can contribute immediately in coverage and run support.
As a safety, he has the ability to rotate seamlessly between deep coverage, nickel responsibilities, and run support, giving the Huskers flexibility across multiple defensive looks. Combined with his tackling and coverage skills, Green represents the type of hybrid defender who can immediately strengthen Nebraska’s evolving defense.
Green’s 75 tackles in 2024 demonstrate consistency and toughness, traits Nebraska fans embrace. The program’s culture rewards blue-collar defenders who can handle both the grind of Big Ten play and the spotlight of national matchups.
#AGTG🙏🏽 I’m blessed to be placed on the defensive 6A All State Georgia Defense #ALLSTATE @Alex_B2C @borntocompete @coachwilblack @scoobieford24 @CoachDawsey_2 @BuckFitz @NatlPlaymkrsAca @samspiegs @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/6Ub8KRrxdh
— Kennedy (UNO) Green ||| 4⭐️ (@KjGreen7k) January 5, 2025
Nebraska’s recruiting momentum in the 2027 class is already evident with cornerstone commitments such as quarterback Trae Taylor and safety Tory Pittman III, both highly rated prospects who strengthen the foundation of the roster. Securing Green would not only add depth to the defensive backfield but also reinforce the Huskers’ ability to compete on a national scale for elite talent. His addition would signal that Nebraska is building more than just a regional pipeline. It’s positioning itself as a destination program capable of attracting and developing top-tier recruits across the country.
Green would fit Nebraska as a plug-and-play safety who strengthens their turnover-driven defense, adds depth to a growing 2027 class, and embodies the Huskers’ culture of toughness and adaptability.
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Nebraska
Jett Thomalla Named Gatorade Nebraska Football Player Of The Year
Over 72 percent completion percentage. Nearly 60 passing touchdowns. Almost 3,500 yards in the air.
That, in a nutshell, summed up the incredible senior season for Millard South High School sensation Jett Thomalla.
But there was so much more to the game of the future Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback.
“Jett Thomalla is one of the most prolific high school quarterbacks to come out of Nebraska,” said rival head coach Allen Burrell, Jr. of Millard North. “What sets him apart is his ability to process the game at a high level and make every throw on the field.
“His ball placement is elite, and when you combine that with his decision-making and command of the offense, it’s easy to see why he’s one of the Top 10 high school quarterbacks in the country.”
Thomalla has been named the Gatorade Nebraska State Football Player of the Year, the organization announced.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder led the Patriots to a 12-1 record this past fall – with the lone loss being a contest that was ruled a forfeit. They claimed another Class A Nebraska high school state title, as Thomalla led an offense that put up 204 points during a four-game postseason run.
Regarded as one of the top players in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports, Thomalla ended his high school career by setting a single-game state record seven touchdown passes in both the semifinals and finals.
Thomalla sits atop the all-class Nebraska high school football passing lists in yardage, with 10,253 and touchdowns, with 134.
Off the football field, Thomalla holds a 3.4 grade point average and is actively involved in the elementary school literacy outreach initiative, as a YMCA youth sports referee and has donated his time on behalf of a Special Olympics Unified Sports team and as a football camp counselor for the past three years.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track and field.
In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.
Nebraska
Nebraska volleyball advances to Sweet 16 with sweep of Kansas State
Nebraska (32-0) entered the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, taking on Kansas State (18-10). Though the Wildcats put up a fight, the Huskers swept the night (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) to advance to the Sweet 16.
Nebraska struggled at times against the Kansas State defense, the Wildcats posted 14 blocks and 32 digs. This helped KSU stay in each set against the Huskers, even taking the lead multiple times. But Nebraska found itself out in front by the time it reached the red zone, allowing it to get the sweep.
The Huskers finished with 43 kills off 99 attacks for a .253 hitting percentage and posted 48 digs and eight blocks to hold Kansas State to .118 and 27 kills on 102 attacks. Nebraska also delivered seven service aces in the win.
Harper Murray and Andi Jackson co-led Nebraska, each delivering ten kills in the sweep. Murray also snatched six digs while Jackson posted a team-high three blocks and earned her ten kills off 15 attacks. Taylor Landfair hit 8-of-18 on the night, while Virginia Adriano finished 7-of-12 with a service ace.
Rebekah Allick posted six kills off 13 attacks for the Huskers, while Allie Sczech finished 2-of-4. Bergen Reilly tallied 34 set assists and a service ace. Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch each delivered two service aces. The duo also combined for 25 digs, with Mauch earning 13 and Choboy grabbing 12.
Nebraska will host Kansas on Friday in the Sweet 16. The match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.
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