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The Turning Point: Nebraska Football vs. Illinois

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The Turning Point: Nebraska Football vs. Illinois


Friday was an incredible game under the lights of Memorial Stadium. Two ranked teams put their hearts and souls into a game to prove their early season success wasn’t a fluke and went onto the gridiron to prove that they can be the surprise story of the Big Ten Conference in what’s already been a wild and unpredictable college football season. 

This game reminded me of a prize boxing match. Both competitors looked the part. Regardless of who won or lost, spectators could appreciate how good both competitors were. 

The Huskers and Illini offenses looked great, boasting excellent quarterback play and a barrage of outside weapons to complement a tough running game. On the defensive end, Illinois and Nebraska made game-changing plays that would appear on the field regardless of the opponent. 

After 60 minutes of back-and-forth play, it was no surprise to anyone that the two needed extra rounds to decide the winner.

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But one play flipped the game—one play turned the table more than before or after. This play is our Turning Point

After a strip-sack fumble by Jimari Butler, our second-place turning point finisher, Nebraska had the game in its hand. Huskers Dylan Raiola and Dante Dowdell led a physical and clock-draining drive that was set up to send a historical 400th sellout Husker crowd home happy and undefeated. 

After Raiola missed a wide-open Lindenmeyer in the end zone on third down, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule trotted out his field goal unit. The backup kicker, John Hohl, in for the injured Tristan Alvano, walked onto the field for the biggest moment of his career. A raucous Nebraska crowd came to a near silence. 

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola throws a fourth-quarter pass against Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola throws a fourth-quarter pass against Illinois. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Hohl lined up for a 39-yard field goal and pushed it left. The noncompetitive kick produced groans that could be heard throughout Nebraska. The collective thoughts of Husker fans throughout the country were, “here we go again.” 

Let’s be honest. It felt like that was the thought throughout the Husker faithful when Raiola overthrew Lindennmeyer. But even after that play, there was still some optimism. There was still a belief that this team and this season were different, and the Cornhuskers’ recent history of letting close games slip through their fingertips did not apply to Raiola and company. 

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While the missed field goal didn’t mean the end of the game to the national audience, it did to Nebraska fans. Everyone knew what was coming because they’d seen the same movie. You can recast the coaches, the quarterbacks, and the circumstances, but for the last decade, the ending has remained the same. Nebraska loses, and the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” game is played for the next week. 

Rhule’s greatest challenge as Nebraska’s leader was getting rid of a stigma that existed before him. Despite adopting the moniker “chasing three,” his efforts so far have failed to produce Nebraska’s desired goals. Husker fans are praying and waiting for the day that happens.

MORE: Nebraska Football Recruiting: In-State Target Kaprice Keith Talks Huskers Visit

MORE: Nebraska Football Recruiting: 5-Star Target Michael Terry III Nearing Decision

MORE: Analytics Review: Nebraska Football vs. Illinois

MORE: Overtime Continues to Be Futility Time for Nebraska Football

MORE: LOOK: Nebraska Football Falls to Illinois in Overtime

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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Nebraska

Nebraska outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team

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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.

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Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman

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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.

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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.

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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.

AJ Ferrari appears in Lancaster County Court(KOLN)

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.

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Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.

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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.



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Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend

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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.

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After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.



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