Nebraska
Longtime Nebraska assistant George Darlington passes away at age 87
A legendary Nebraska football coach has passed away. George Darlington died in Lincoln on Sunday morning at the age of 87.
Darlington coached at Nebraska for 30 seasons from 1973 to 2002. He coached defensive ends for the first 13 seasons of his tenure before becoming defensive backs coach in 1986.
During his tenure, Nebraska went 304-65-3, won 14 conference titles, and three national championships. The Huskers also played in a bowl game in each of Darlington’s 30 seasons
After his time at Nebraska ended, he served as an assistant coach at Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Southeast Missouri State and San Diego. He officially retired from coaching in 2010.
Following his retirement, Darlington remained around Husker football. He was a regular observer at football practices and could always be found in the Memorial Stadium press box on game days.
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Nebraska
National Weather Service confirmed at least 8 tornadoes in Nebraska and Iowa from Thursday’s storms
On Thursday morning, June 11, a cluster of thunderstorms raced through southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa. While it brought heavy rain and lightning to Omaha, just 30 miles south of Omaha, it brought all kinds of significant weather.
The worst of the damage began in Cass County and continued through southwest Iowa. Within this broad swath, winds exceeding 80 mph at times brought substantial tree damage to a region already hit hard by severe storms this season.
The storms also brought hail up to 3″ in central Page County. Then, significant flash flooding occurred in Sidney, Shenandoah, and Essex.
In the days following the storms, the National Weather Service offices in Omaha/Valley and Des Moines have been surveying the damage to determine whether tornadoes or straight-line winds caused it. The findings, released Sunday afternoon, determined that eight tornadoes occurred in the storms. Six of those were rated EF-1 with winds as high as 110 mph. Two were rated EF-0.
NWS Omaha/Valley
The tornadoes began just east of Weeping Water in Cass County, where a farm building had its walls collapse. This tornado was rated a high-end EF-1 with winds up to 100 mph. An EF-0 tornado hit the creekbed of South Cedar Creek, where tree damage was observed.
Farther east, another EF-1 tornado developed north of Union. Extensive tree damage was noted at a residence and the East Union Cemetery. Meteorologist Joseph Meyer visited the cemetery and spoke with the president of the East Union Cemetery.
East Union Cemetery tornado damage
In Iowa, an EF-0 hit southwest Mills County in the bluffs northwest of Tabor. Tree damage was noted in this area.
The strongest tornado of the day happened in Fremont County, just west of Thurman. At a home just west of I-29, a roof was lifted off. This tornado was rated a high-end EF-1 with winds up to 110 mph, which is borderline EF-2 intensity.
NWS Omaha/Valley
As the storms continued into Montgomery and Page Counties, 80-90 mph winds caused extensive damage to trees, power lines, and outbuildings. Within this intense core of winds, several tornadoes occurred in the Villisca vicinity.
One of these, an EF-1, began over Viking Lake and continued east. At one home, the roof was damaged. Grain bins were thrown a mile away, landing at the interchange of US-34 and US-71. This tornado had estimated wind speeds up to 105 mph.
NWS Omaha/Valley
Southwest of Villisca, an EF-1 tornado crossed over northern Page County, twisting trees along a 7-mile path. A final EF-1 occurred between Villisca and Hepburn, where a farm outbuilding lost a wall.
The National Weather Service in Des Moines is still surveying damage in Adams County and near Corning. This story will be updated when those results are released.
Heading into a football season brimming with uncertainty, Nebraska is building toward training camp. Spring heading into summer is the time for self-assurance and conviction.
Confidence is the coin of the realm in the offseason.
Here, in mid-June, let’s look at two reasons Huskers’ fans can feel confident about 2026, and two reasons for pessimism.
2 reasons for optimism
1. New quarterback
Excitement overflows about a new quarterback and what he can bring. The big arm; the mobility; the fearlessness to run the ball, to keep plays alive and pick up drive-sustaining first downs.
Anthony Colandrea brings impressive credentials to Lincoln after two seasons at Virginia, and last year when he was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year at UNLV.
Colandrea’s strength is his accuracy while throwing on the run, on rollouts, on pass-run options, while under pressure. That style tends to reduce sacks, a problem last season when Dylan Raiola was sacked 30 times.
But, the caveat.
Isn’t this what they call a double-edged sword?
A new quarterback also could be a reason for concern. Despite Colandrea’s obvious confidence, no one knows how he will adjust to the Big Ten’s bigger stage. Colandrea will face Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon, among others, this season.
He didn’t face anywhere near that level of competition last season.
You get the point.
After the Huskers’ first three games, it’s all Big Ten games the rest of the way. As Big Ten schedules go, Nebraska has a brutal one. This isn’t the Mountain West, son, a nice conference for sure, but, well.
Still, the Huskers hope Colandrea will be an upgrade from Raiola and that his athleticism will result in more points. It’s June and we’ll take the optimistic approach with Colandrea.
2. New coaches
Matt Rhule wasn’t happy with how the Huskers finished last season and he shouldn’t have been. Nebraska’s 5-1 start disintegrated into a 7-6 finish that included blowout losses in the last three games (to Penn State, Iowa and Utah).
Rhule, starting his fourth season in Lincoln, made changes in the offseason, moves believed to be necessary. Rhule went ahead and made sweeping changes on both sides of the ball.
New coaches include defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, who brings sterling credentials from San Diego State. Geep Wade (Georgia Tech) is now the offensive line coach. Roy Manning (San Diego State) coaches the edge rushers.
As with a new quarterback, you never know when there is drastic change. Doubts about chemistry and technique are natural. These three coaching changes — and there were others — were made to address obvious shortcomings in 2025.
These new coaches were brought in not just to fix the errors of the past but to make notable improvements in their area of expertise.
Questions remain about Rhule, who is 19-19 at Nebraska, but is armed with a long-term contract. Is Rhule the right guy? Is 19-19 good enough after three seasons? Has he shown the capacity to win — and win big — at Nebraska? Winning big is the expectation.
For now, let’s feel optimistic. It’s June, right?
2 reasons for concern
1. Running back room
After last season, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen spoke with confidence about his 2026 running back room.
Holgorsen didn’t seem concerned that the Huskers hadn’t yet added a running back in the portal. He talked up the players in the building, especially Mekhi Nelson.
With Big Ten Running Back of the Year Emmett Johnson sitting out the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah to prepare for the NFL, Nelson gained 88 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Nelson also had three receptions for 43 yards.
Holgorsen also complimented Isaiah Mozee, Kwinten Ives, and true freshman Jamal Rule.
“He’s [Mozee] going to get better and better,” Holgorsen said at the news conference. “Kwinten Ives, everybody’s mad about our short-yardage run game including me. He was 4-for-4 on short-yardage third downs in the bowl game.
“He took a step in December. If he would’ve went the other way, we might have went out and got somebody but he showed promise.”
Promise and opportunity are admirable. Replacing Emmett Johnson is an enormous task. Johnson was the fourth-leading rusher in the nation with 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also led the Huskers’ with 46 receptions.
Johnson gained extra yards out of nothing. He broke tackles. His cutbacks were amazing to watch and they effectively gained yards. Another concern: The Huskers will be working with a rebuilt offensive line run by a new offensive line coach.
Add it all up: It’s a reason for pessimism.
2. Run defense
An improved run defense might be Nebraska’s top priority. A national publication said Aurich’s hiring was Nebraska’s best offseason move.
The Huskers need it.
Nebraska’s run defense was at its worst when it counted the most. Nebraska ranked 133rd in the nation in red-zone defense. On 38 trips to the red zone, opponents scored an astounding 37 times — 30 touchdowns and seven field goals. Twenty-four of the touchdowns were on the ground.
Nebraska ranked 98th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 175.4 yards per game.
Until proven otherwise, Nebraska’s run defense is a major cause of pessimism.
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KEARNEY, Neb.(KSNB) — Local organizations played a critical role in supporting firefighters during recent Nebraska grass fires, with Hot Meals USA providing food to crews battling the blazes.
Hot Meals USA responds to disasters after receiving a phone call.
“Any natural disaster or human disaster, and we are invited in, we go and feed people,” Brenda Cochran said. Cochran is manager of Hot Meals USA.
Cochran said mobilizing volunteers is not a problem when the community is in need. The organization deployed to Ogallala during the fires.
“We had people show up at 5 a.m. or 5:30 a.m.,” Cochran said. “We had people stay the majority of the day.”
Lorena Beckius said the Ogallala team handled the Morrill Fire while North Platte covered the Cottonwood Fire.
“At that point I didn’t know what we were signing up for, but you know as district governor when there is a situation, and something happens like you just step in without even thinking,” Beckius said.
Workers prepared 600 meals three times a day.
Grand Island Rural Fire Chief Mike Keene was among those fighting the fire. He said the meal service was essential.
“We don’t have time to go to a store before we leave to head out west,” Keene said. “I mean we are out there for 48 hours. Without them, we won’t be able to do what we do.”
Janet McKee said the organization maintains readiness for deployment.
“We have to prepare because we go whenever we are called,” McKee said. “So, it could be here in Nebraska or anywhere in the country.”
Beckius said volunteers appreciated the response from firefighters.
“They like how everyone greeted them with smiles so it was a great opportunity to be part of it,” Beckius said.
Information about volunteering with Hot Meals USA is available online.
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