Nebraska
HuskerMax Predictions: Nebraska Football vs. No. 24 Illinois
The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter conference play undefeated (3-0) for the first time since 2016. Friday’s game against No. 24 Illinois will be the first ranked matchup between two teams at Memorial Stadium for the first time in over a decade. It’s the fourth-straight night game to begin the season for NU with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CDT on FOX.
The HuskerMax and Nebraska Cornhuskers SI crew make their predictions. The average score is 28-15.
Last week’s closest prediction for Nebraska vs. Northern Iowa was by Austin Jacobsen with a 34-7 score prediction for the Huskers. That was only four points off the actual 34-3 final.
*Indicates closest in previous week’s prediction and how many “wins” over the season.
|
Prediction |
Predictor |
|---|---|
|
Nebraska 27-14 |
Kaleb Henry |
|
Nebraksa 20-13 |
Austin Jacobsen* |
|
Nebraska 34-24 |
Eric Hess |
|
Nebraska 31-17 |
Geoff Exstrom |
|
Nebraska 27-17 |
Josh Petersen |
|
Nebraska 24-17 |
Joe Hudson |
|
Nebraska 31-21 |
ThotDoc* |
|
Nebraska 28-17 |
Enrique Alvarez-Clary |
|
Nebraska 24-13 |
Matt McMaster |
|
Nebraska 21-17 |
Maren Angus-Coombs |
|
Nebraska 27-17 |
Cole Stukenholtz |
|
Nebraska 24-16 |
Middle-Aged Ball Coach |
|
Nebraska 31-17 |
David Max* |
|
Nebraska 24-10 |
Ted Stryker |
|
Nebraska 13-3 |
Caleb Sisk |
|
Nebraska 27-17 |
Tanner Johnson |
|
Nebraska 31-13 |
John Anthony |
|
Nebraska 31-21 |
Chris Fort |
|
Nebraska 27-17 |
Jeremy Pernell |
|
Nebraska 28-10 |
Redcast Rob |
|
Nebraska 31-7 |
Redcast Boomer |
|
Nebraska 24-10 |
Redcast Abbie |
|
Nebraska 52-7 |
Redcast Honke |
|
Nebraska 28-13 |
Redcast Dave |
The Why
Austin Jacobsen (20-13 NU): The Huskers have yet to play a game that required 60 full minutes of execution. Illinois will play it close throughout the contest, but I refuse to believe that the Illini have improved enough offensively to warrant two touchdowns against the Blackshirts. Watch for Dylan Raiola to have chances scrambling for big passing opportunities downfield. It will be close, but if Nebraska prevents giveaways the Big Red will be in control throughout the game.
Ted Stryker (24-10 NU): Huskers continue to ride their defense as Dylan Raiola gains momentum.
Eric Hess (34-24 NU): Nebraska gets out to a fast start again but Illinois finds success on the ground to stick around in the game until the 4th quarter. Nebraska ultimately has too many weapons for Illinois to keep up with and the Blackshirts get some big 4th quarter stops to prevent a comeback.
Josh Petersen (27-17 NU): Nebraska’s defense continues to perform at a very high level while Dylan Raiola and the Cornhuskers offense moves the ball but has to settle for field goals. So basically, what we’ve seen throughout the first three games of the season.
ThotDoc (31-21 NU): The score prediction may seem a bit high given that no NU games have gone Over the total so far this year, but think both teams have the firepower to score. The Huskers have to do a better job against the Illini’s 250 pound RB than they did against the 230 pounder from UNI. I’m sure it was emphasized this week by Tony White. Illinois also has some speedy receivers that may break a long one at some point in the game, but the home field night game scenario with Nebraska’s offensive weapons will help the Huskers move to 4-0.
Cole Stukenholtz (27-17 NU): Huskers lead by 17 for much of the 2nd half before a late Illinois score. Blackshirts control Illini offense, NU breaks even on turnovers, and Raiola makes a “did you see that?” throw.
Middle-Aged Ball Coach (24-16 NU): It’s going to be brutally physical. Illinois will go toe-to-toe for the first half, but they’ll be trading FGs for Nebraska’s TDs. Illinois’ explosive plays will mostly lead to getting to the Red Zone, but settling for FGs. Nebraska will control the 2nd half so that the score will look closer than it actually was.
David Max (31-17 NU): Illinois will probably score the most points against the Huskers so far this season but it will not be enough.
Chris Fort (31-21 NU): Luke Altmeyer and his receiving corp give Nebraska fits but adjustments by Tony White’s defense hold them at bay and the Huskers ride a raucous crowd to victory.
Find more predictions at HuskerMax.com.
MORE: McMaster’s Big Ten Football Power Rankings After Week 3
MORE: Bleav in Nebraska: Nebrasketball Schedule Breakdown with Jacob Bigelow
MORE: Stryker Pregame Retrospective: Past and Present Favor Nebraska
MORE: Big Ten Conference Unveils Women’s Basketball Schedules
MORE: Big Ten Conference Unveils Men’s Basketball Schedules
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
Nebraska
Nebraska outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.
Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.
Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.
Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.
An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.
According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.
Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.
She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.
Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”
Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.
She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.
Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.
Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.
Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.
Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.
Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.
Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.
Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend
The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.
From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.
The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.
Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.
After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.
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