Nebraska
Illinois’ Offense Will Be Facing More Than Just Nebraska’s Defense
Illinois head coach Brett Bielema is known for the physical identity of his football teams. This year’s version of the Fighting Illini is no different.
They are only giving up 8.6 points per game so far this season and have proven to be a stingy defensive team. But they are going up against a Nebraska team that has a flashy freshman quarterback and a stable of talented wide receivers to throw the ball to. Illinois’ defense will be facing its largest challenge of the year so far. But so will its offense.
Nebraska has a solid defense this season. The most points the Huksers have given up is to Colorado, who scored just 10 points. The Buffaloes have one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and wide receivers Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. Despite all those weapons, the Huskers’ defense was more than up to the challenge.
Not only does Illinois have to play against that defense, but they will also be trying to keep up with the Huskers’ offense. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is a problem for any defense. The way that he can move around in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield is a defensive nightmare. Once he has danced around for long enough, he can find the open receiver and make any throw on the field.
Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer will have to be at the top of his game on Saturday. So far this season, he has looked sharp. His 647 passing yards and six touchdowns per game are comparable to Raiola’s numbers. His leading receiver, Pat Bryant, has 235 yards and an impressive four early touchdowns on the year.
Despite how good Illinois’ offense has looked so far, they will be facing a new challenge this Saturday. Memorial Stadium will be rocking once again as Big Ten play gets underway. It will likely be the toughest game that either team has played so far this year, and in a matchup this close, home-field advantage can make all the difference.
Altmyer and the Fighting Illini will not just be going against the Huskers’ defense on Saturday. They will also be fighting against the raucous crowd and trying to keep up with Raiola’s potent offense.
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MORE: Nebraska’s Blackshirts Getting an ‘Edginess’ Boost for Showdown with Illinois
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MORE: Doc’s Diagnosis: A Look at the Illinois Offense the Huskers Will Face Saturday
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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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