Nebraska
What Went Wrong for Nebraska Football Against Minnesota — and What Comes Next
The title of last week’s article was the following: Nebraska Football’s Emerging Identity – Clutch, Grit, and Closing Time. It would be fair to question everything we thought we knew about this team after their dud of a performance at Minnesota on Friday night. The Big Red either thought they could just show up and win easily, or they failed to show up entirely. Either way, it made for a dreadful performance against the Gophers.
We cover it all in the Topline Takeaways.
CHEERS TO THAT
Special Teams. It is literally hard to find anything positive to point to after that game. That said, Special Teams continues to be a bright spot for this Nebraska team, and Mike Ekeler’s unit accounted for all of the Huskers’ points on Friday night. Additionally, Archie Wilson (who had to punt five times) looked fantastic, averaging nearly 45 yards per punt, and Jacorey Barney had a nice looking 30 yard punt return. The Huskers will need Special Teams to continue to execute at a high level as they look to rebound, both next week vs. Northwestern and beyond.
Husker Nation. Hats off to you, Husker fans. After a strong contingent showed up against Maryland, Nebraska fans were again well represented in the Friday night tilt vs. Minnesota. In both games, you could actually hear the strong Husker fan presence in each respective stadium on TV. Nebraska fans are absolutely the best on planet earth, and they deserve much better than what this football team has shown for the last decade. The play on the field is going to turn around, and when it does, it will be well deserved by Husker Nation.
REASONS FOR CONCERN
Not Showing Up. Head coach Matt Rhule said after the game that the team was out of whack the entire game, and that nothing he saw in practice during the week suggested that such a performance was coming. It certainly happens to teams, but it’s pretty aggravating from a fan perspective. For Nebraska fans in particular, we never seem to have the payoff of a major win over a ranked opponent, or a special season where everything comes together. It’s only “they didn’t show up” type of games. The Big Red will still have an opportunity to get some wins that would be very meaningful to the fan base, namely against USC, Penn State, and Iowa. Winning one or more of those would go a long way toward making a game like this easier to swallow.
Sacks, Sacks, and More Sacks. At this point, the sacks are on everybody. At times, offensive linemen completely got beat by Minnesota’s defenders. Other times, quarterback Dylan Raiola held the ball too long. It’s been such a problem this season, you have to start questioning the coaching as well. What is happening with the scheme that Raiola keeps ending up on the ground? Are the offensive linemen not being coached properly? Are receivers not getting open? Is Dylan not seeing them? Why do we stick with this straight drop back game over and over? Could we not try more run-pass options, slants, screens…something to try to keep the defense off balance?!?! It’s maddening to watch, and there is absolutely more going on than just offensive linemen getting beat repeatedly.
Run. The. BALL!!!!!! According to a tweet from Omaha World Herald reporter Sam McKewon, Nebraska called 38 pass plays and only 16 runs. This is getting really old. Nebraska is flat out not committed to the run game on a consistent basis, in a league where you absolutely have to be able to run the ball. The Huskers’ inability to run the ball played right into Minnesota’s game plan, and it is sickening to watch other teams beat Nebraska at something we used to do better than anyone: smash mouth football. Rhule has talked about being committed to the run, but that’s simply not what we’ve seen this season.
It seems to me that Nebraska still doesn’t know what its identity is, especially on offense. I don’t want the Huskers ever to settle for being Minnesota or Iowa, but those teams know exactly who they are and how they want to win. It’s hard to say the same is true of Nebraska football.
BOTTOM LINE
Despite all the frustration from Friday night’s loss, my Common Fan Podcast co-host MattyO made a great point the day after the game: we still have five games left, and I want to enjoy them. We only get to do this 12 Saturdays a year, and the Huskers have nearly half a season left to play. As infuriating as it was watching the game (and still is thinking back on it), Nebraska has done a lot of good things this season, and we shouldn’t write off their ability to bounce back. Win against Northwestern this week, and they’ll be 6-2, bowl eligible, and we’ll see what they can do in November.
Speaking of Northwestern, the Wildcats will come into Lincoln at 5-2, much better than most people predicted prior to the season. They just beat Purdue (which put up 20 points on the way to almost beating Minnesota) 19-0, and this will not be an easy out for the Big Red. This is an important test for Matt Rhule’s young team. They need to get up off the mat and show that they can be the ones to throw a punch.
As always, GBR for LIFE.
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(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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