Nebraska
The Weekender: Nebraska Considers Spring Game Cancelation, John Calipari Returns To Kentucky and Tempers Flare Between Arizona and Arizona State
Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
NEBRASKA CONSIDERS SPRING GAME CANCELATION
With the increased prevalence of tampering in college football, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has a unique plan to keep eyes off of his players: cancel the spring game.
“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said. “It’s just a free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
While Rhule’s decision could potentially lead to fewer transfers from the program when the spring transfer window opens, it would lose the university a large sum of revenue typically generated from the game. Nebraska’s Spring Game in 2024 drew 60,452 fans to Memorial Stadiums, the fourth-highest total attendance from spring games last season.
But, Rhule’s primary focus remains on keeping his players in Lincoln by all means necessary.
“Guys are being compensated now, and you’re putting money behind some people, a whole other set of parameters,” Rhule said. “Yet, at the same time, you have to get good. Honestly, to me, it’s about protecting the roster and protecting through that portal period.”
CALIPARI RETURNS TO KENTUCKY
In 15 seasons as the head coach of Kentucky, John Calipari elevated the program into a perennial national title contender.
With an overall record of 410-123, four Final Four appearances, and the 2012 national championship, Calipari was considered Kentucky royalty up until just last year. But, times have changed.
After a steady decline across his last few seasons with the Wildcats, Calipari took the head coaching job at Arkansas during the offseason. On Saturday, the legendary head coach returned to Rupp Arena for the first time.
Facing a hostile environment from a fanbase that he once called his own, with boos and jeers hurdled his direction, Calipari ultimately handed his former team a stunning loss, as his Razorbacks took care of business in an 89-79 decision. Arkansas was led by a trio of former Wildcats, as Adou Thiero (21 points), D.J. Wagner (17 points) and Zvonimir Ivasic (14 points) pushed the Razorbacks to the win.
“I’ve got to be honest with you: I looked up a couple of times [at the scoreboard], and I thought we were losing because I kept looking at Kentucky instead of Arkansas,” Calipari said. “I made it clear it was a privilege and an honor to coach here. We had 15 unbelievable years of a great run and support.”
TEMPERS FLARE BETWEEN ARIZONA AND ARIZONA STATE
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the Hurley family.
Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley — brother of UConn coach Dan Hurley — had some words for rival Arizona after a testy finish in the Wildcats’ rivalry 81-72 win over the Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona.
Constant trash talk throughout Saturday’s contest came to a head late in the game. With less than a minute to play, Sun Devil guard BJ Freeman head-butted Arizona’s Caleb Love — resulting in both players being ejected after Love taunted the Arizona State bench in the aftermath.
BJ Freeman headbutts Caleb Love and BOTH are ejected pic.twitter.com/hlwjDdXHIA
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
As a result of the late-game altercation, Hurley decided to pull his team from the post-game handshake line. In his post-game press conference, Hurley criticized the Wildcats for boasting after the win.
“Right near our bench, it was relentless, constant chatter from a couple of Arizona’s players that wasn’t being policed properly,” Hurley said. “Of course, they’re going to be happy with winning, but it was done with no class, in my opinion.”
Hurley also alluded to the fact that he would refuse to vote for Love for All-Big 12.
More Bobby Hurley, with a parting shot for Caleb Love:
“I get a vote for Big 12 All-Conference, and I can tell you who’s not getting my vote”pic.twitter.com/AFC6R19tHr
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2025
The Wildcats and Sun Devils will meet again on March 4 in Tuscon, Arizona.
ICYMI
THE BUCKEYE 20: RANKING THE 20 BEST PLAYERS FROM OHIO STATE’S 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
The Eleven Warriors staff compiled its final list of the 20 best players from Ohio State’s national championship team in 2024.
EIGHT POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO REPLACE JUSTIN FRYE AS OHIO STATE’S OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope analyzes potential candidates to fill the void left by Justin Frye’s departure from Ohio State.
HOW WE CHOOSE TO REMEMBER
Eleven Warriors’ George Eisner reflects on Ohio State’s recent stretch of quarterbacks.
WHAT’S NEXT
- 209 Days: Ohio State football’s season-opener vs. Texas
- 300 Days: The Game
(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.”
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.
“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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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
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.
The New Orleans Saints made a big splash in free agency when they signed Travis Etienne Jr. to pair with Alvin Kamara in the backfield. Etienne’s addition probably means that the Saints won’t select a back with an early choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if the team adds another back with a later pick. If that’s the case, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers could be someone on their radar.
Etienne will likely be the featured back, but Kamara’s future beyond 2026 is in some doubt. Kamara turns 31 in July and is entering his 10th season with a big contract after already showing some possible decline. Behind them, Kendre Miller has proven he shouldn’t be relied on and 2025 sixth round choice Devin Neal has flashed potential but remains unproven. The Saints may be wise to add more talent to their backfield with a middle or later round pick.
Emmett Johnson bio
- Position: Running back
- College: Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Height: 5-feet, 10 inches
- Weight: 202 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35.5″
- Broad jump: 10′
Recipient of the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football award at Academy of Holy Angels High School, Johnson began with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a three-star recruit. He’d take a redshirt in 2022 then rushed for 411 yards with 2 scores in 2023 as part of a backfield committee. In 2024, Johnson picked up 598 yards on the ground and caught 39 passes for 286 yards with 3 total scores.
By 2025, Johnson was the Cornhuskers featured weapon and exploded onto the national radar. Johnson’s 1,451 rushing yards and 251 carries both led the Big Ten and were among the NCAA leaders. He also caught a team-high 46 passes and scored 15 touchdowns, as his 1,821 yards from scrimmage were second across the NCAA. Those eye-popping numbers earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well as the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Strengths
- Hits rushing lanes with authority
- Makes sharp cuts at top speed
- Decisive north-south runner
- Good acceleration into the second level
- Legitimate receiving threat
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have breakaway speed
- Has trouble creating yards when the hole isn’t there
- Must maintain balance better through contact
- Doesn’t break many tackles
- Only one year of high-level production
Emmett Johnson 2026 draft outlook
Johnson’s 2025 tape and production are worthy of a high pick, but teams looking for a featured back might be wary of his lack of power. Still, Johnson has a strong chance of being picked somewhere on the second day and shouldn’t last later than the fourth round. His decisive one-cut and go style and receiving ability gives him a strong chance to be an instant contributor with an incredibly high upside of a potential starter.
New Orleans has had success with late-round picks and undrafted players at running back. Emmett Johnson won’t last that long. But, if Johnson slips into Day 3, the Saints could be tempted to add him and bolster their backfield in multiple ways.
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