Nebraska

Four Questions for Nebraska Football Heading Into Spring Ball

Published

11 months ago

March 23, 2025

Four Questions for Nebraska Football Heading Into Spring Ball

Spring football is upon us, Common Fans! Practice begins this coming week and will last until April 26. And while nothing can replace the actual football season in the fall, it always feels like an accomplishment to get to this point in the year. We’ve made it through the doldrums of January and February. The team is transitioning from winter conditioning to playing and practicing real, actual football. We’ll get some glimpses of some exciting newcomers, and see what kind of progress the veterans have made.

2025 is a huge year for Husker Head Coach Matt Rhule. This season has the potential to define his entire tenure at Nebraska–for good or bad. With that in mind, here are four questions to ponder as Nebraska heads into spring practice.

How much improvement will we see from Dylan Raiola in year 2?

Raiola had a solid true freshman season. He threw for 2,819 yards, completing more than 67% of his passes. He threw 13 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions. At times, he made some major “wow” plays, showcasing the talent that made him a highly coveted 5 star recruit. Other times, he made some freshman mistakes: things like holding the ball too long, missing open receivers at key moments, and sliding short of the first down marker. That type of thing is to be expected from a true freshman. I believe the upside for Raiola remains sky high. How much improvement can we expect to see in 2025? Having a full offseason with new(ish) Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen should help. Holgorsen is considered one of the best offensive minds in the game, and hopefully he will be able to put Raiola–and by extension, the entire offense–in a position to succeed. The completely revamped wide receiver room, filled with multiple big name transfers and high profile recruits, should also help. Can Dylan cut down on some of the mistakes we saw in 2024? After two years of being carried by the defense, can Nebraska have the kind of offense that can win them some games? A lot rides on Dana Holgorsen’s brain and Dylan Raiola’s arm in 2025.

Can the offensive line go from good to dominant?

I found this post from Husker super fan Jim in MN to be particularly intriguing (note: the original post mentions Dominic Raiola as Nebraska’s offensive line coach. The correct name is Donovan Raiola, which Jim corrected in a follow-up post):

It’s yr 4 now for Dominic Raiola and Aaron Coeling coaching the Nebraska OL. They’ve stockpiled a ton of good highly rated talent and added in some million dollar transfers.
It’s time to be become a dominant OL. It just is.
— Jim in MN (@HuskersMN) March 15, 2025

How does the average Common Fan measure offensive line play? Nebraska had the 100th ranked rushing offense in the country in 2022. That jumped to 39th in 2023 (largely due to having rushing quarterback Heinrich Haarberg start the majority of games that season), then fell back to 96th in 2024. The Huskers gave up 72 tackles for loss (ranking 74th nationally) and allowed 28 sacks (ranked 78th) in 2024 alone. Do these stats tell the entire story of the offensive line? Of course not. That said, none of these numbers is suggestive of a dominant offensive line.

Husker fans of a certain age know good offensive line play when they see it. I would argue the Nebraska offensive line has shown tangible improvement in the Rhule era, but it would be hard to make the case that they have been dominant. As Jim’s post implies, the O line has been good, but not great. Can they take the next step under fourth year offensive line coach Donovan Raiola? Can we restore the pipeline of days gone by? Considering that possibility will have Husker Nation frothing at the mouth all spring.

Can the defense avoid a steep falloff?

The biggest bright spot of the Rhule era to date is undoubtedly the defense. Immediately upon his arrival in Lincoln, the defense got tougher, more physical, and tackled better. They passed the eye test, and the numbers back it up. After ranking 100th in the country in total defense in 2022, the Huskers jumped to 11th in that category in 2023 and 18th in 2024. Similarly, the Blackshirts went from 77th nationally in scoring defense in 2022 to 13th in 2023 and 17th in 2024. In virtually every category–rushing defense, passing defense, sacks, turnovers and more–the Nebraska defense showed drastic improvement as soon as Matt Rhule and (former) Defensive Coordinator Tony White showed up in Lincoln.

It’s been an offseason of major change for the Blackshirts. White left for the same job at Florida State, and took defensive line coach Terrance Knighton with him. The Huskers have new assistants coaching the defensive line, outside linebackers, and the secondary. Major, multi-year contributors on Nebraska’s defense–including Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Isaac Gifford, John Bullock, and Jimari Butler to name a few–either graduated or transferred. Enter new defensive coordinator John Butler, most recently Nebraska’s defensive backs coach, now serving in a coordinator role for the first time since he did it at Penn State more than a decade ago. Also new to the picture is Phil Snow, who served as Rhule’s Defensive Coordinator at every one of his previous head coaching stops, and is now Associate Head Coach. With all this change, can the defense continue the high level production we saw in Rhule’s first two years? Can they continue to be the backbone of this football team? If Nebraska is going to get where they want to go in year three under Rhule, they need the D to avoid a dropoff.

What record would constitute a successful season for Nebraska football in 2025?

Friend of the Common Fan Brandon Vogel had a fantastic article about this very topic at The Counter Read not too long ago (by the way, if you haven’t subscribed at www.counterread.com yet, I highly recommend it. Brandon puts out some of the best Husker content you can find, all year long). This is a really intriguing question for a proud fan base at a program with a boatload of historical success, but some really painful recent seasons. We had an extended discussion about it on the most recent Common Fan Podcast episode.

There are several factors at play here. Rhule’s teams took big leaps in his third year at both Temple and Baylor. The schedule lines up well for the Huskers this year (although recent experience has taught us that Nebraska shouldn’t be taking any teams for granted). Dylan Raiola has a full year under his belt. There are a lot of reasons for optimism going into the 2025 season. So, what would fans view as a success this season? I certainly don’t think 6-6 will cut it again. I tend to think 8-4 is the baseline, minimum expectation among Husker fans. Get to 8-4, and most fans will be happy with the improvement but not through the roof. Worse than 8-4? We’re looking at a long offseason. 9-3 or better? At that point, the boys in red are potentially on the periphery of the playoff conversation, and at the very least going to their best bowl game in more than a decade. 9-3 or better and most Common Fans are dancing in the streets in Lincoln.

What do you think, fellow Common Fan? Send us an email at commonfangbr@gmail.com to let us know your thoughts on what record would constitute success for Nebraska in 2025.

As always, GBR for LIFE.

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Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

10 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

—

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Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

22 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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Nebraska

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Maryland men’s basketball has found itself in plenty of close games over the past few weeks. Four of its last five were decided by seven points or less, and the Terps won three of them.

Head coach Buzz Williams had ostensibly found a winning recipe in crunch time. That is, until Wednesday’s clash with No. 12 Nebraska.

Down by five with just over six minutes to play, the key ingredients for a comeback were nowhere to be found. Andre Mills, who had been superb over Maryland’s past few matches, turned the ball over to star forward Pryce Sandfort on an errant pass. Just seconds later, Sandfort splashed a 3-pointer, and Pinnacle Bank Arena went wild.

That sequence was the cap of a 9-0 run and the middle of an 0-of-4 shooting stretch for Maryland. What was largely a competitive contest soon became lopsided, and the Terps fell, 74-61.

Williams used his coach’s challenge just a minute and a half into Wednesday’s contest. The reversed call didn’t result in points right away — the Terps turned it over the very next possession — but it undoubtedly sent a crystal clear, no-nonsense message to the sideline.

And Maryland’s defense was ready for the rowdy away game occasion. The Terps notched just five points in the opening five minutes — two coming on a thunderous Solomon Washington slam — but didn’t allow Nebraska on the scoresheet. In fact, Maryland turned the Cornhuskers over twice in that span, and Guillermo Del Pino rejected a Jamarques Lawrence layup.

Nebraska started the game 0-of-6 from the field before finding the net. Sandfort channeled his shooting prowess, sinking a 3-pointer to give the Cornhuskers their first advantage of the match six-and-a-half minutes in.

Forward Braden Frager was the true catalyst for Nebraska’s sudden surge, logging seven of the team’s first 10 points and operating well in transition. His quick-hit offense didn’t allow Maryland to set up its effective half-court defense.

The Terps’ offense remained relatively cold as the midway point of the half approached. They embarked on a 1-of-8 shooting stretch, with Nebraska consistently switching on Maryland’s perimeter looks and forcing Washington into some perimeter shots.

Interestingly enough, it was Washington and his frontcourt counterpart — Elijah Saunders — that offered the team a surge from beyond the arc. The two combined for four of the squad’s first five 3-pointers — two of Saunders’ makes came in the last five minutes of the half to keep Maryland within striking distance.

The Cornhuskers took a six point advantage into the halftime locker room, up 33-27.

Rienk Mast finally got into a bit of rhythm to open the second half, burying a 3-pointer in an attempt to keep the Terps at bay. But Maryland’s offense wasn’t rattled. It didn’t revert to the same isolation playbook that it has sometimes found itself running; it instead was gritty on the glass and earned multiple second-chance opportunities.

Nebraska was being worn down on defense, and its crowd was becoming less intense. Maryland just needed to establish some prolonged momentum.

But the game remained deadlocked for the ensuing minutes. Andre Mills began to display some of the athletic lane-driving traits he’s exhibited over the past 10 contests. But he also drilled a pair of long-range jumpers, quickly becoming the team’s leading second-half scorer.

As the clock ticked below 10 minutes left with the game decided by just a matter of points, the Terps’ offense hit a stagnant stretch. Coit took four consecutive shots — and made only one — while the team’s ball movement came to a screeching halt.

After Nebraska’s 9-0 run, things didn’t realign on the attack for Maryland. Coit continued to struggle, going 2-of-6 from three in the second half. Mills also missed back-to-back looks, and from there, the result was all but decided.

1. Elijah Saunders’ big day. With Mills struggling in the first half Wednesday, Saunders picked up some of the slack. The 40% 3-point shooter made half of his looks, resulting in a season-high five 3-pointers against the Cornhuskers. That comes just one game after he set his previous season-high of four 3-pointers against Washington.

2. Paint production erased. Maryland’s frontcourt did some damage Wednesday night, but much of it came from deep. The Terps finished with just 14 points in the paint compared to Nebraska’s 26. Despite both teams grabbing seven offensive rebounds, Maryland didn’t make much of the second chance opportunities in the restricted area.

3. More Del Pino minutes. After playing 27 minutes and securing the win with an alley-oop lob against Washington, Del Pino was on the court for 15 minutes Wednesday. Though he finished without any points, he seems to have earned Williams’ trust and continues to operate the floor well from a distribution perspective.

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