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Indiana’s Curt Cignetti Compliments Nebraska Football’s Defense, Dylan Raiola in ‘Important Game’

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Indiana’s Curt Cignetti Compliments Nebraska Football’s Defense, Dylan Raiola in ‘Important Game’


Curt Cignetti is keeping the focus on Indiana football.

“As always, it’s more about us and what we do, controlling what we can control. Having a great day today of preparation and stacking good days,” Cignetti said on Monday during his media availability.

Cignetti addressed the media as part of his team’s preparation leading into their home tilt with Nebraska football, adding that Saturday’s contest is an “important game, because its the next game.” While the coach did not give any bulletin board material for the Huskers after each team’s bye week, he did provide some compliments to the team overall in his opening statement.

“Coach (Matt) Rhule has done a great job with the football team there, 5-1, impressive team on tape,” Cignetti said. “Giving up 11 points a game on defense, a veteran outfit, and offensively; big offensive line, big tight ends, play a lot of guys, really skilled receivers, a lot of good running backs and a mega talented young quarterback.”

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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks to the defense during the Indiana versus Maryland football game

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks to the defense during the Indiana versus Maryland football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cignetti added that the Hoosiers will focus internally, as “it’s more about us and what we do” adding that his team can only “control what we can control.”

Indiana’s offense has done more than just control their opponents – they have boat-raced several early foes enroute to their 6-0 start and No. 16 Associated Press ranking in Cignetti’s first season. The Hoosiers are top of the conference in total yards per game (515.7), passing yards per game (315.3), first downs converted (165) , third down conversion percentage (54 percent), and points per game (47.5). However, the former James Madison coach knows how stingy the Blackshirt defense has been throughout the season.

“Well, they’ve got good players. They’re very well-coached. They play really hard. They’re very multiple in their scheme. They’ve got guys that can affect the passer, a couple big guys inside, 315-plus type guys. They play a lot of people. They do everything they can to keep you off balance,” Cignetti said.

Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker John Bullock (5) and defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) celebrate after a fumble

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker John Bullock (5) and defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) celebrate after a fumble against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The coach added that the Huskers break up “a lot of passes”, bringing up Nebraska’s season stats of seven interceptions and only 85 rushing yards allowed per game. The Huskers have benefited from a positive turnover margin as well, starting their next stretch of the season with a +6 turnover rate. Cignetti recognized that part of Nebraska’s offensive balance is in part due to the play of their freshman quarterback.

“Yeah, he’s a really talented guy who’s got great arm talent. (Dylan Raiola) plays with a lot of confidence. He’s got a really nice supporting cast. They protect him well up front. They’ve got one receiver who’s 6-4, 225 and can really go, deep-ball type guy, and schematically the staff does a really nice job of — they don’t put too much pressure on him,” Cignetti said.

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The Indiana coach added that Nebraska’s offense is “balanced” and that the Huskers will “want to run the football” to set up Raiola’s ability to use play-action for a big play. He concluded his Raiola thoughts saying that Rhule’s staff “has done a tremendous job with him.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass against the UTEP Miners

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass against the UTEP Miners during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Both teams are coming off their first bye of the season, as Cignetti said his team never relented during the break.

“It’s balls to the wall all the time because you’re getting better or getting worse, never staying the same. We practiced three times, and we did some prep on this upcoming opponent,” Cignetti said. “Then you’re looking at other people across the country seeing who’s doing what well and trying maybe to get a few ideas that may help you down the road. Using that time wisely.”

Indiana has been on an impressive start to their season, and awaits 5-1 Nebraska on Saturday in Bloomington. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CDT.

MORE: Husker Football Begins Second Half at 5-1

MORE: Why Nebraska Football’s Exclusion From the AP Poll Makes No Sense

MORE: Is Nebraska Football’s Offense a Liability against Indiana?

MORE: Nebraska Football Awards Brian Buschini, Ceyair Wright with Blackshirts

MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Setter Claims Third Weekly Big Ten Honor

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

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Mental health by the numbers in Nebraska

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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.

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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.

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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.



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‘Nothing can hold me back’: Nebraska teen scores on first play after open heart surgery

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‘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.”

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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.



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Nebraska Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 5 on April 19, 2026

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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.



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