Nebraska
Nebraska is halfway to Dublin. Here are 10 hot topics at midpoint of offseason
LINCOLN, Neb. — It’s all downhill from right here to Dublin.
Nebraska opens the soccer season 4 months from Wednesday at Aviva Stadium in opposition to Northwestern. 4 months in the past Tuesday, Iowa beat the Huskers for the seventh consecutive yr.
We’re formally nearer to the following recreation than the final one. Welcome to the second half of the offseason.
Nebraska stays in a precarious spot as a program on the heels of spring observe, which answered a couple of questions however left many unknowns about coach Scott Frost’s fifth staff in Lincoln.
Popping out of halftime, let’s reset the highest storylines for the 122 days forward.
1. Because the portal turns. Sunday looms because the deadline for gamers to enter the switch portal as a way to obtain clearance to play at a brand new program in 2022. (No exhausting date, exterior of enrollment deadlines, exists to decide on a brand new college.) For the Huskers, portal motion already charges because the chief subject of this offseason. They added 9 Division I transfers in January, with Furman kicker Timmy Bleekrode set to hitch the group this summer time. Twelve Huskers on scholarship have entered the portal since November — most just lately defensive lineman Casey Rogers, who visited USC final weekend and acquired different provides from the likes of TCU, Auburn, Washington, Arkansas and Purdue.
2. An enormous resolution. The Huskers are nonetheless in play for the largest catch within the portal, former TCU defensive finish Ochaun Mathis. He visited Lincoln for the Pink-White recreation and introduced this week that he’ll make his selection recognized Saturday between Nebraska and Texas. Mathis is from Manor, Texas, a 15-mile drive from the UT campus. However the Huskers aren’t out of this, partly due to their determined want for a move rusher of Mathis’ caliber. He recorded 15 1/2 sacks over the previous three seasons at TCU and will flip momentum for Nebraska in its summer time bid to rebuild the defensive entrance after its lack of Damion Daniels, Deontre Thomas and Jordon Riley, all with remaining eligibility, along with Rogers since December.
The Huskers may use former TCU defensive finish Ochaun Mathis, who will select Saturday between Nebraska and Texas, to assist rebuild their line of defense. (Jerome Miron / USA As we speak)
3. D-line drama. With or with out Mathis, the line of defense charges as a priority for the Huskers, who’ve improved steadily on the place group over the previous 4 seasons. “It’s no secret that our numbers are method down on the D-line,” Frost mentioned Monday in his month-to-month look on the Huskers Radio Community. Remaining on scholarship on the inside spots are Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Mosai Newsom, Marquis Black, Ru’Quan Buckley and Jailen Weaver. Solely Robinson returns with beginning expertise. “We like what we’ve,” Frost mentioned. Nevertheless it’s not sufficient. Defensive lineman Devin Drew, previously of Texas Tech, visited Nebraska final weekend. If the Huskers add three our bodies on the place, they’ll really feel snug.
4. The QB narrative. Frost continues to counsel that the race is unsettled regardless of proof on the contrary from early in spring observe that Casey Thompson would succeed Adrian Martinez because the Huskers’ starter. These 15 practices in entrance of Frost and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple may have narrowed the hole between Thompson and a gaggle that features Logan Smothers, getting into his third yr at Nebraska, Florida State switch Chubba Purdy and second-year QB Heinrich Haarberg. And naturally, Frost may really feel compelled to maintain his playing cards hidden for numerous causes — to maintain Northwestern at the hours of darkness and to keep away from offering a cause for one of many returning quarterbacks to open that portal door between now and Sunday.
5. The subsequent step in recruiting. Nebraska began nicely in amassing pledges for the Class of 2023, with 5 commitments. Nevertheless it has not added a member to this group since QB William Watson III of Springfield, Mass., dedicated on Feb. 22. Watson stood amongst a big group of prospects in attendance on the Pink-White recreation, a red-letter day for the Huskers’ recruiting efforts and identify, picture and likeness publicity. Nebraska assistants hit the street after spring observe to go to prospects’ faculties and to extend consciousness within the recruiting group in regards to the plan at work in Frost’s program. They’ve sorely missed this time throughout the previous two years as pandemic restrictions curtailed spring recruiting. Clearly, Nebraska nonetheless has floor to achieve, beginning close to home with the 2023 class.
6. The NFL Draft. The Huskers’ 11-year drought with out a first-round choose is unlikely to finish Thursday evening, however Nebraska, in a change, is outstanding in draft conversations. Throughout Rounds 2 and three Friday, search for heart Cam Jurgens and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt to listen to their names referred to as. And linebacker JoJo Domann has a shot, too, in response to Dane Brugler’s newest prospect rankings. Nebraska, amazingly, hasn’t positioned three gamers within the first three rounds of the identical draft since 2007. Its most up-to-date second-rounders got here in 2015, Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory. All of this issues to recruits and in reconstructing the Huskers’ picture as a producer of expertise below Frost.
7. There’s a flip facet to shedding quite a lot of expertise. Together with Jurgens, Taylor-Britt and Domann, tight finish Austin Allen seems more likely to land within the draft. Large receiver Samori Toure, safeties Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke, defensive finish Ben Stille and defensive sort out Damion Daniels will obtain alternatives to make NFL rosters. So for observers who imagine the Huskers are on observe to win in 2022 just because they misplaced by small margins in 2021, take into account the absence of all that expertise. Transfers alone, until Nebraska provides 5 – 6 extra key components, gained’t make up for the departures. The summer time forward, capped by preseason camp, charges as vital for the Huskers to develop, come collectively and fill the holes left by the lack of NFL-bound contributors.
8. A time to heal. Frost reiterated Monday that he expects many of the gamers injured or rehabilitating throughout the spring to make a full restoration earlier than camp opens in three months. That’s good news for Sean Beckton, the Huskers’ tight ends coach who misplaced practically all of his firepower in March. It signifies that the offensive line should be at full energy when preseason camp opens, creating wanted competitors for the highest jobs at each sort out positions as Teddy Prochazka and Turner Corcoran return. With operating again Gabe Ervin, inside linebacker Luke Reimer and promising newcomers like receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda and cornerback Omar Brown at work, Nebraska is a distinct staff than what it confirmed within the spring recreation.
9. The race at operating again. It doesn’t cease now that new assistant Bryan Applewhite has moved offstage. Applewhite has made clear that regardless of who performed nicely within the spring, competitors begins anew in the summertime. Ervin ranks as a contender with prime spring performers Jaquez Yant, Anthony Grant and Rahmir Johnson. Markese Stepp is attempting to get wholesome. Ajay Allen and Emmett Johnson are on their option to Lincoln. Former commit Deondre Jackson is not. A prediction: This group of backs, buoyed by Applewhite’s recent method, stands a powerful probability to price because the Huskers’ most improved place group. In that case, it bodes nicely for Mark Whipple’s offense and Thompson’s capability to remain wholesome.
10. NIL fever. How does all of it come collectively to enhance the product on the sphere? How does the uneven distribution of funds affect chemistry? The Huskers established a partnership final summer time with Athlete Branding and Advertising, LLC, which serves as a bridge between the donor group and student-athletes. The college works with Opendorse, just lately establishing a market by way of the corporate’s platform to additional empower lots of the identical athletes. Nebraska additionally struck a cope with Altius Sports activities Companions to bolster the college’s NIL program. Who’s really in cost in Lincoln of making certain that the NIL course of operates easily? It’s a storyline rising in significance — and one which gained’t let up when the Huskers contact down in Eire.
(Prime photograph of Casey Thompson: Rebecca S. Gratz / Related Press)
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Currently, more than 300 students are enrolled as students in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Come next year, should $27.5 million of proposed budget cuts for the school’s next fiscal year be approved, it is one of six departments that will no longer exist.
“We offer the only PHD in higher education in the state of Nebraska,” Corey Rumann, an Assistant Professor of Practice in the department, said. “Eliminating that would be a huge, huge void.”
Statistics, Community and Regional Planning, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion design are the five other departments now facing potential elimination.
Professors and students from each of those departments, as well as other university departments, spoke out against the proposed cuts at a public town hall in Lincoln on Tuesday night.
“It’s important for people to be able to chart their own course,” Abigail Cochran, a professor in the Department of Community and Regional planning, said. “I don’t think we’re really going to be able to do that with the elimination of our program and these other vital programs.”
For many educators in these departments, their concerns are for the students, both current and future.
“I’m not worried about me,” Susan Vanderplas, a professor in the Department of Statistics at UNL, said. “I’m worried about what this says about the state and the opportunities we’re offering the children of this state.”
For some students, a portion of their futures in now on the chopping block.
“You’ve committed to this university,” Robert Szot, a graduate student studying meteorology in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said. “To have that pulled out from under you means you have to change the entire way of what you’re doing on a dimes notice.”
The university’s Board of Regents is set to vote on the proposed plan on Dec. 5.
The UNL chapter of the American Association of University Professors will be holding a “Stop The Cuts” rally and petition drive outside the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s union on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
LAX-bound flight returns to Nebraska after pilots thought someone was trying to break into cockpit
OMAHA, Neb. (KABC) — A SkyWest flight bound for Los Angeles International Airport turned around in the air soon after takeoff Monday and returned to a Nebraska airport after the plane’s interphone system malfunctioned, leading to confusion onboard the aircraft, officials said.
Video recorded by a passenger shows police vehicles on that tarmac at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. Officers boarded the plane after Flight 6569 made an emergency landing.
The plane had traveled only 40 miles into the 1,300-mile journey before it turned back, according to an online flight tracker.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilots in the cockpit lost contact with their flight crew in the cabin. Passengers saw the crew, unable to communicate with the pilots, banging on the door of the cockpit.
The pilots, hearing banging on the door — and silence on the interphone — mistakenly thought someone was trying to breach the cockpit. They declared an emergency and returned the flight to Omaha.
In an announcement to the passengers after landing, the captain of the plane apologized for the unexpected return to flight’s airport of origin.
“We weren’t sure if something was going on with the airplane, so that’s why we’re coming back here,” the captain said. “It’s gonna be a little bit. We have to figure out what’s going on.”
The Federal Aviation Administration released a statement after the incident.
“SkyWest Flight 6569 landed safely after returning to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, around 7:45 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 20, after declaring an emergency when the pilot could not contact the cabin crew,” the statement said. “After landing, it was determined there was a problem with the inter-phone system and the flight crew was knocking on the cockpit door.”
Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
As I watched Nebraska go down to Iowa on Black Friday of 2024, I told myself something:
“No matter what happens this offseason, don’t forget how you feel about this program at this exact moment.”
Nebraska had just blown a dominant performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 13-10 loss. You know the stats. A 20-5 edge in first downs. Outgaining Iowa 334-164, with 75 of those Hawkeye yards coming on a single play. Iowa rushed for 49 yards on 26 attempts. 1.9-per!
And the Hawkeyes still won.
“Sit in this exact moment, and don’t a single piece of news over the course of the next nine months sway you,” I told myself. “They need to prove themselves.”
And so, that’s what I did.
When they added new offensive linemen, I remained skeptical. Even additions of a couple of impressive wide receivers made me wonder why they hadn’t also improved the running back room. The defense lost experienced bigs in the interior; why were they going to improve again? The hire of Mike Ekeler as special teams coordinator was a genuinely inspired move, but why did they settle at defensive coordinator after Tony White went to Florida State?
January turned to March, which turned to summer and Big Ten Media Days. I wasn’t budging. I still had enough doubts. The Groin Kick Chronicles project was a great window into the last decade of Husker football. If anything, it was a reminder that Matt Rhule has been as responsible for some of the worst losses for the program as Scott Frost or Mike Riley were. And the ways in which Nebraska lost games in 2023 and 2024 – poor in-game decisions by the head coach, in particular – weren’t just going to fix themselves overnight.
As excited as I was about the potential “Year Three” bounce for Matt Rhule, there were enough reasons to doubt it could happen at this version of Nebraska in this version of college football. By the time we arrived at game week against Cincinnati, I hadn’t changed my tune. 7-5, with losses against Michigan and Minnesota in the first two months, followed by UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa late.
“Until they prove me wrong, I’m going to expect this to happen.”
And then the season kicked off.
A hard-fought win over Cincinnati was some of the proof I was looking for. Blowout wins over Akron and Houston Christian – the type of wins we hadn’t seen in recent years – had me believing that, at the very least, they were better.
I went against my pre-season priors and picked them to win against Michigan.
I was wrong; they lost. But look at the bright side! They repeatedly answered back when Michigan went up by double digits. I was grading them on a curve, even while incredibly disappointed with the defensive showing, but the offense got back up after being shoved in the dirt.
I liked them against Michigan State and Maryland. They responded to the adversity of each game, putting together 24 points across their final five drives against the Spartans. So what that the second and third quarters were absolutely terrible; in the end, they didn’t blink. Down 31-24 in the fourth quarter at Maryland, the defense got stops on three straight drives, while the offense scored ten points across their final two drives, including a touchdown with 1:08 remaining to win the game.
They were winning games they wouldn’t have in previous years and even with issues continuing to pop up, the schedule surely wouldn’t feature a team that could expose them, at least not until USC came into town.
It looked like the season’s floor had risen to 8-4. The ceiling, 10-2. Maybe even 11-1 if you could squint really hard.
Not only did I think they’d go into Minneapolis and pick up a win, I thought they’d do so in dominating fashion.
And then the game kicked off.
Nebraska was pushed around – bullied, in fact – against the Golden Gophers. Despite the score sitting at 7-6* Minnesota for over a quarter, it felt like the Gophers had extended their lead even though they hadn’t. The sacks piled up. The opportunities Nebraska missed on offense were getting worse by the play, culminating with Dylan Raiola’s overthrown pass to Dane Key on the first drive of the third quarter.
*Nebraska’s field goal that cut Minnesota’s lead to 7-6 came with 4:25 left in the first half. The touchdown pass from Drake Lindsey to Le’Meke Brockington that made it 14-6 came with 2:36 left in the third.
Archie Wilson punted the ball down to the 2-yard line and within nine plays, Minnesota had already crossed midfield. To make matters worse, they only needed to pick up one third-down conversion across those nine plays. It was death by a thousand paper cuts early in the drive; the Gophers never had a gain of fewer than three yards and no more than 12.
Matt Rhule’s defense had now been on the field for almost seven minutes. With 4:24 remaining in the third quarter, Nebraska took a timeout because they were tired and needed a rest.
Five plays later, the Gophers were in the end zone after a 20-yard touchdown pass capped off the 14-play, 98-yard drive that took 8:43 off the clock. The score was 14-6, but Minnesota might as well have been up by three scores. The game felt like it was over, even if all Nebraska needed was a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie it up.
On their ensuing drive, Nebraska went three-and-out before Minnesota scored a touchdown to make it 21-6. A drive later, Nebraska ran six more plays and faced another fourth down. With 9:37 left in the game, trailing by 15 points, Matt Rhule chose to give the ball right back to the team that had scored touchdowns on their previous two drives. An eight-play, 62-yard drive ensued, another 4:23 ticking off the clock, before Minnesota knocked in a field goal. It’s not like I would have trusted the offense to pick up any points, but to punt down two scores that late in the game? Really?
Nebraska’s penultimate drive of the game finished on downs in Minnesota territory and the game ended on one final sack* for the road, the ninth of the game for the Gophers. Thus ended the most disheartening loss of the Matt Rhule era. Minnesota won by a final score of 24-6. Nebraska dropped to 5-2.
*The first half ended on a sack, as well. In fact, the final offensive play of all three quarters for Nebraska ended in sacks. This coming off the Maryland game, in which the final play of the first half for Nebraska’s offense ended with Dylan Raiola being sacked. All told, three of the past four halves have ended with Dylan Raiola on the ground.
And so, we’ve reached an interesting spot:
Do you believe in Nebraska?
Do you believe in Nebraska’s ability to find a way to mask their weaknesses against a schedule that features multiple teams that have been headaches* for the program?
*Understandable if you’re annoyed by using the word “headache” to describe what Iowa has been for Nebraska. Horror show is probably a more apt description.
Do you believe in the offensive line to protect the quarterback better? Hell, do you believe in the quarterback that took nine sacks across 54 offensive plays on Friday night to find better pocket awareness than he has across his 20 career starts? Do you believe in the offensive coordinator to lean on his running back that is (was?) putting together the finest season by a Nebraska back in over a decade?
On defense, do you believe in the pass rush to get to the quarterback when it’s third and medium, and the opposition has already picked up two first downs on the drive? Do you believe in their ability to avoid a penalty on third or fourth down? Do you believe in their ability to make a tackle or will they get shoved around, a one-yard run turning into four or five? Do you believe in the defense getting a stop when they need to?
Do you believe?
I’m done. Nebraska football has lost all benefit of the doubt.
Save me from the distractions of the week. If anything, Matt Rhule brought some of the noise upon himself, calling out how much more* needs to be spent on the roster. Going on Pat McAfee’s show and saying all sorts of positive things about Nebraska… while still leaving the door open for the vacant Penn State head coaching job.
*I agree, for the record, but Nebraska just lost to a team that spends less on their roster than Nebraska does.
Nebraska went into Minneapolis and got absolutely punked by a football team and program that’s not as good as the recent Minnesota teams Nebraska has faced.
The Gophers entered as a team that had struggled to run the football, with a freshman quarterback who had noticeable limitations. Their defense had taken a step back, allowing Power Four opponents to score 29.8 points per game. This version of Nebraska – the 2025 version, with an offense scoring 29.8* points per game against Power teams and one of the best pass defenses in the country – would continue to show proof of concept of how things have changed. Instead, they were outscored 17-0 in the second half and never came close to threatening.
*Coming into the matchup, Nebraska had scored exactly 119 points in their four games against Power opponents. Conversely, Minnesota came in having allowed exactly 119 points across four games against Power teams.
I’m done trusting this team.
I’m done trusting Nebraska until they can find a way to win games against teams that are actually good – in the final five games, I’d say USC is the only team that fits this bill – and/or beat a team that’s had continual success against them like Minnesota, whose winning streak is now up to six in a row, or Iowa, who are 9-1 in their last ten meetings.
I’m sick of watching Nebraska football take on a program like this – one that finishes the game and in the post-game press conference, mentions “physicality” or “culture” as reasons for the win, where all you can do is nod along and shrug. A loss where you can’t argue against it. Where the game starts, and within a few drives, you realize that everything was a house of cards; they weren’t overcoming anything or showing anything different. They were just getting by against lesser teams, before they played a team – a program – like Minnesota, who put them into a locker like they always do.
And we’re sure that won’t happen against any of the final five opponents?
Northwestern plays the exact type of football that has haunted the Nebraska program for years. They’d love to drag them down into the mud.
USC’s offense, littered with dumb mistakes in their loss to Notre Dame, still has the ability to score on any given play, from any spot on the field.
UCLA has won three games in a row this season and beat Nebraska a year ago.
Penn State showed toughness in its loss to Iowa and still has one of the most talented rosters in the sport.
And Iowa is Iowa.
They might find a win against one of those five teams, but anything more than that would surprise me at this point. As I see it, a 5-7 finish is more likely now than 7-5 or 8-4. And don’t even get me started on 9-3 or 10-2.
Nebraska faced a similar situation in 2024. Following the loss to UCLA at the start of November, the team had reached a breaking point. After a 5-1 start, they had lost three games in a row, the last one against the Bruins was easily the most unforgivable.
Changes were made. Dana Holgorsen joined the staff and was named offensive coordinator. Marcus Satterfield was re-assigned* to tight ends coach. Phil Snow was added as an additional set of eyes on the defensive staff. And while Nebraska only went 1-2 in its final three regular-season games, the operation looked a little better on offense against USC before exploding in the sixth win of the season against Wisconsin.
*Oddly enough, his position group might be the most impressive and consistent across the entire team this season!
Matt Rhule looked that moment directly in the eye and made a massive change. A change that was necessary. We’d never seen something like it in Lincoln.
That same week arrives, if a bit earlier, in 2025. There’s no obvious change to be made, unless you believe in firing the offensive line coach (no chance in hell) or benching the quarterback and rolling out a different type of offense (ditto). There’s no quick fix coming. The overall operation will just have to be better.
Can it be? Sure. Do I need to see it before I believe it?
Absolutely.
Agree or disagree, if you have a comment for Josh, send him an email: joshpeterson.huskermax@gmail.com.
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
Denver faces Golden State for conference matchup
Can Seattle Mariners be next 2013 Seahawks or 2004 Red Sox?
‘One of the greats’: Camp Pendleton Marine pilot killed in training exercise identified
The youth of the Brewers’ rotation is exciting and concerning
Suspect seen setting fire to Atlanta daycare center
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Video: Federal Agents Detain Man During New York City Raid
Hunter Biden breaks silence on pardon from dad Joe: ‘I realize how privileged I am’
European Council President Costa joins Euronews' EU Enlargement Summit
Books about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases
Trump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
-
World1 day agoIsrael continues deadly Gaza truce breaches as US seeks to strengthen deal
-
News1 day agoTrump news at a glance: president can send national guard to Portland, for now
-
Technology1 day agoAI girlfriend apps leak millions of private chats
-
Business1 day agoUnionized baristas want Olympics to drop Starbucks as its ‘official coffee partner’
-
Politics1 day agoTrump admin on pace to shatter deportation record by end of first year: ‘Just the beginning’
-
Science1 day agoPeanut allergies in children drop following advice to feed the allergen to babies, study finds
-
News16 hours ago
Books about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases
-
Alaska1 week agoMore than 1,400 seeking shelter as hundreds wait to be evacuated after catastrophic Western Alaska storm, officials say