Three starters will sit out as they begin to prepare for the NFL draft.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jim Harding assistant coach hugs offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) as they celebrate the Utes’ win over Kansas State.
Three University of Utah starters have decided not to play in the Las Vegas Bowl, head coach Kyle Whittingham says.
Offensive tackles Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano and defensive end Logan Fano have all declared for the NFL draft.
Lomu, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound sophomore, and Spencer Fano, a unanimous All-America selection this year, are both expected to be first-round picks in April.
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“Some people, it’s a lot higher stakes. We’ve got a couple of first-rounders and things like that,” Utah quarterback Devon Dampier said of the opt-outs. “We know those guys love us. … We still support those guys.”
Dampier and senior linebacker Lander Barton both said this week that they intend to play in the game.
“There are definitely conversations that you have to have with agents and people that are around you in your circle,” Barton said of his choice.” But ultimately it’s up to each player.”
Whittingham said a few walk-ons and scout team players have also opted out of the game as they prepare to enter the transfer portal.
“And we also have a handful of guys that are going to go in the portal at that are still practicing with us,” he said. “I think that what we have right now is what we’re going to have.”
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The No. 15 Utes take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas (1:30 p.m. MT, ESPN). It will be Whittingham’s final game as the Utes’ head coach.
“This team has been one of my favorite years,” Whittingham said. “The team’s attitude. The leadership. The work ethic. Just the personality on the field, the vibe of the team is outstanding. Having the chance to be around these guys one more month and go to battle one more time with them was something I wanted to do.”
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 19.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
4-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
14-19-24-30-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 09-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from April 19 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 16, Year: 61
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Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The New Orleans Saints made a big splash in free agency when they signed Travis Etienne Jr. to pair with Alvin Kamara in the backfield. Etienne’s addition probably means that the Saints won’t select a back with an early choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if the team adds another back with a later pick. If that’s the case, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers could be someone on their radar.
Etienne will likely be the featured back, but Kamara’s future beyond 2026 is in some doubt. Kamara turns 31 in July and is entering his 10th season with a big contract after already showing some possible decline. Behind them, Kendre Miller has proven he shouldn’t be relied on and 2025 sixth round choice Devin Neal has flashed potential but remains unproven. The Saints may be wise to add more talent to their backfield with a middle or later round pick.
Emmett Johnson bio
Position: Running back
College: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Height: 5-feet, 10 inches
Weight: 202 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds
Vertical jump: 35.5″
Broad jump: 10′
Recipient of the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football award at Academy of Holy Angels High School, Johnson began with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a three-star recruit. He’d take a redshirt in 2022 then rushed for 411 yards with 2 scores in 2023 as part of a backfield committee. In 2024, Johnson picked up 598 yards on the ground and caught 39 passes for 286 yards with 3 total scores.
By 2025, Johnson was the Cornhuskers featured weapon and exploded onto the national radar. Johnson’s 1,451 rushing yards and 251 carries both led the Big Ten and were among the NCAA leaders. He also caught a team-high 46 passes and scored 15 touchdowns, as his 1,821 yards from scrimmage were second across the NCAA. Those eye-popping numbers earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well as the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
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Strengths
Hits rushing lanes with authority
Makes sharp cuts at top speed
Decisive north-south runner
Good acceleration into the second level
Legitimate receiving threat
Weaknesses
Doesn’t have breakaway speed
Has trouble creating yards when the hole isn’t there
Must maintain balance better through contact
Doesn’t break many tackles
Only one year of high-level production
Emmett Johnson 2026 draft outlook
Johnson’s 2025 tape and production are worthy of a high pick, but teams looking for a featured back might be wary of his lack of power. Still, Johnson has a strong chance of being picked somewhere on the second day and shouldn’t last later than the fourth round. His decisive one-cut and go style and receiving ability gives him a strong chance to be an instant contributor with an incredibly high upside of a potential starter.
New Orleans has had success with late-round picks and undrafted players at running back. Emmett Johnson won’t last that long. But, if Johnson slips into Day 3, the Saints could be tempted to add him and bolster their backfield in multiple ways.
Carson Jasa pitched a strong game, earning his second complete-game of the season. Nebraska’s offense started fast and kept rolling, leading to a 12-2 run-rule win over No. 12 USC in seven innings on Saturday at Hawks Field. This marked head coach Will Bolt’s 200th career win at Nebraska.
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A season-high crowd of 7,602 fans filled the ballpark, making for one of the most exciting games of the year. This attendance is the 25th largest in Hawks Field history and the second biggest since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, just behind the 7,650 fans at a 2021 doubleheader against Michigan. The fans saw Nebraska play a complete game, improving to 30-9 overall and 14-3 in the conference. USC fell to 30-10 and 13-7 in Big Ten play.
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Nebraska’s offense scored 12 runs on 12 hits and made only one error. USC scored just two runs on five hits and had two defensive mistakes. Drew Grego led the way, going 3-for-4 and missing the cycle by only a triple. He hit a home run, a double, and drove in four runs. Dylan Carey also went 3-for-4 with a home run and scored three times. Case Sanderson went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, and Jett Buck added a double and scored three runs. Mac Moyer, Joshua Overbeek, and Trey Fikes each had a hit.
Jasa took control on the mound right from the start. He pitched all seven innings, giving up just two runs, only one earned, on five hits. He struck out seven and walked only two, moving his record to 7-1 this season.
The Huskers started strong, taking an early lead in the first inning. Nebraska sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs right away. Sanderson brought in the first run with a groundout that scored Moyer. Buck hit a double to bring home Carey, Grego added an RBI double to score Buck, and Overbeek finished the inning with a single that made it 4-0.
Nebraska added to its lead in the third inning with three solo home runs.. Sanderson and Carey hit back-to-back homers, and Grego followed by sending the first pitch he saw over the left field wall. That made it 7-0 and put the game out of reach.
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The Huskers continued to add on in the fifth inning, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning. Carey and Buck each stole. The Huskers kept building their lead in the fifth inning by taking advantage of aggressive baserunning. Carey and Buck both stole bases to get into scoring position, and Grego singled to left field to drive them both in, making it 9-0.
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USC rallied briefly in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs on three hits and a Nebraska error. A solo home run gave the Trojans their first run, and a mix of hits and a defensive mistake brought in another, making it 10-2. Stokes drew walks to put runners on base, and Trey Fikes delivered an RBI single to left field. A USC fielding error on the play allowed both Buck and Stokes to score, ending the game at 12-2 and clinching the series for the Huskers.
Carson Jasa gave up just one earned run in his seven-inning complete game. | Amarillo Mullen
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Case Sanderson (14) gives Jett Buck (1) a fist bump after scoring. | Amarillo Mullen
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Dylan Carey points to the dugout after a single to score Sanderson. | Amarillo Mullen
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Jett Buck (1) makes contact for an RBI double. | Amarillo Mullen
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Dylan Carey (15) high fives Joshua Overbeek (4) after scoring on Buck’s double. | Amarillo Mullen
Jett Buck touches home plate to score on a double from Drew Grego. | Amarillo Mullen
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Drew Grego celebrates his RBI double. | Amarillo Mullen
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Drew Grego (10) pumps his fist after crossing home plate to score. | Amarillo Mullen
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Case Sanderson rounds the bases after a solo homerun to lead of the bottom of the third. | Amarillo Mullen
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Dylan Carey (15) celebrates his solo homerun with the Husker dugout. | Amarillo Mullen
Drew Grego comes home after his solo homer. | Amarillo Mullen
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Carson Jasa celebrates a quick inning on the mound. | Amarillo Mullen
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Dylan Carey and Jett Buck (1) smile after scoring. | Amarillo Mullen
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Case Sanderson celebrates a double. | Amarillo Mullen
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Rhett Stokes steps on home plate to score the tenth run for the Huskers to end the game in seven. | Amarillo Mullen
Trey Fikes smiles after his single with a USC error to score the final two runs of the game. | Amarillo Mullen
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The Huskers run out to center field with Trey Fikes (21) to celebrate their run-rule walk-off. | Amarillo Mullen
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The Huskers have won the series and will go for the weekend sweep on Sunday. | Amarillo Mullen
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