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
Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A deeper look tonight as First Alert 6 continues to dig deeper into the state of mental health care in Nebraska and possible solutions, ever since last week’s two instances involving law enforcement.
A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was shot responding to a domestic call. Investigators said the suspect, Brian Huggins, had a history of behavioral health issues. Huggins died by suicide.
And then Noemi Guzman, who police say kidnapped a 3-year-old from inside an Omaha Walmart and cut him in the arm and face with a stolen kitchen knife. Omaha police officers shot and killed her before she could strike again.
Guzman had been on a court-ordered mental health treatment plan since last summer for her schizophrenia. According to court records, psychiatrists determined she could live in the community. Remember, this was after she was arrested for setting her father’s house on fire and threatening a priest with a knife.
Monitoring system
We wanted to know who is part of the system monitoring those who may not be following their mental health treatment plan and are a risk to others or themselves. When that happens, the Board of Mental Health will often notify the local sheriff so a warrant can be issued and deputies can track the individual down.
Here are the numbers since 2023:
In 2023, 842 warrants were issued for those not following their treatment plans according to the Board of Mental Health. In 2024, 756. In 2025, 690. So far in 2026, 190.
But out of these 2,500 warrants, 85% of them didn’t have a second warrant, meaning deputies picked them up, got them back into treatment and the individuals continued to thrive after the one hiccup.
But in 15% of these cases, the individuals messed up again and had another warrant issued by the Board of Mental Health. Twenty-five individuals had five or more issued in Douglas County.
Sheriff Hanson said there has to be a better way, a more team approach for this.
One model to explore is the way Nebraska’s problem-solving courts work like drug court and veterans’ treatment court where experts from a variety of stakeholders help individuals who are on the fringes to do everything to make them productive citizens.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
‘Nothing can hold me back’: Nebraska teen scores on first play after open heart surgery
(InvestigateTV) — Sometimes sports are about more than the final score.
For Jack Burke, a high school football player in Nebraska, a medical diagnosis at birth has never stopped him from competing — and a touchdown catch in his first play back from open heart surgery proved it.
Born with a rare heart defect
Burke was born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare heart defect in which babies are born with an underdeveloped right lung and pulmonary artery. The condition also affects blood flow to the right lung. Treatment often includes surgery, and many adults with the condition go on to live healthy lives.
“As a kid, I never really understood,” Burke said. “It was always natural for me that I had to push myself harder to keep up.”
His mother, Bridget Burke, says the condition was not initially considered dangerous for sports participation.
“His Scimitar Syndrome never really came into play as being dangerous for him to play sports,” she said.
The decision to operate
That changed in the spring of 2025, when Burke’s family and doctors decided it was time for a surgery that had been anticipated for years.
“I’ve kind of known I’ve had to get surgery my whole life,” Burke said. “Once I knew I could get the surgery sooner, I was all in. I wanted to get it so I could get back to sports.”
His father, Ryan Burke, says the timing was deliberate.
“This will be done before school gets started, and still have a chance to do almost everything you want to do,” Ryan Burke said.
Jack Burke underwent open-heart surgery, leaving a visible reminder of what he went through.
“There’s a six-inch scar in the middle of his chest that represents a pretty big thing that happened,” Ryan Burke said.
For Bridget Burke, the moment her son was taken to the operating room was difficult.
“When the rubber hits the road and your kid is being wheeled back to the OR, it is scary and emotional,” she said.
The comeback
Burke eased back into football following his cardiologist’s recommended recovery timeline. His return came in week three of the season.
“Before the Schuyler game I talked to his dad and he’s like, ‘I think we might be ready,’” said coach Jay Landstrom.
Bridget Burke says the family approached the return with caution.
“I mean, I was nervous. We didn’t really know how much he would play. It was going to be some cautious situations,” she said.
Those concerns were set aside — at least for a moment — when Burke caught a touchdown pass on his very first play back.
“All the parents were high-fiving everybody and they were like, ‘Was that really Jack?’” Bridget Burke said.
Landstrom called it a special moment.
“It was just meant to be and that was really special,” he said.
For Burke, the touchdown meant something beyond the scoreboard.
“I just remember one of my teammates came up to me and said, ‘He’s back. He’s back,’” Burke said. “It kind of shows something that tried to stop me — I hurdled that obstacle.”
Burke says the surgery has given him a new sense of freedom.
“Now I can do whatever I want. Nothing can hold me back,” he said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nebraska
Nebraska Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 5 on April 19, 2026
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.
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
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.
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