Adam Carriker breaks down Nebraska football’s matchup with undefeated North Dakota and explains why Anthony Colandrea and the Huskers cannot overlook this game. Adam examines Dana Holgorsen’s new offense, Jamal Rule’s big plays, the play in the trenches, and the pass rush under Rob Aurich.

Both offenses enter the game playing at a high level. Nebraska is averaging 52 points per game, while 3-0 North Dakota has consistently scored in the 40s. Those numbers could set the stage for an entertaining night game in Lincoln. Although Nebraska will be the favorite, North Dakota has played well enough to earn the Huskers’ full attention.

A major reason for Nebraska’s early success has been its balanced offense. The Huskers have recorded more than 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards in each of their first two games. It is the first time Nebraska has accomplished this in years. That balance has made the offense harder to defend and has helped Nebraska create more explosive plays.

Carriker discusses Anthony Colandrea’s improvement and whether the Nebraska quarterback can continue playing at a high and consistent level. He also takes a closer look at the Huskers’ wide receivers, their ability to stretch the field and the importance of maintaining balance between the running and passing games. Nebraska cannot afford to become predictable if it wants to keep moving the ball successfully.

The battle in the trenches will be one of the biggest keys to the game. North Dakota will try to challenge Nebraska with a physical style of football. Can the Huskers establish the running game, protect Colandrea and consistently pressure North Dakota’s quarterback? Nebraska’s performance along the line of scrimmage could determine how quickly the Huskers take control.

Carriker also examines Nebraska’s defense, the playmakers North Dakota brings into the matchup and the areas where the Huskers still need to improve. Nebraska should have the athletic advantage, but that will not matter if the team plays sloppy football. The penalties must be cleaned up, and the special teams unit needs to deliver a steady performance.

Carriker’s three keys to a Nebraska victory are simple: limit penalties, win the ground game battle and put together four complete quarters. The Huskers need to start fast, remain focused and finish strong instead of allowing North Dakota to hang around.

Can Nebraska protect its home field and improve to 3-0? Carriker gives his final thoughts and official score prediction in this preview and prediction show.

Can Nebraska protect its home field and improve to 3-0? Carriker gives his final thoughts and official score prediction in this preview and prediction show.

Program sequence

• 00:00   Intro
• 01:51   “Be Curious, Not Judgmental”
• 02:14   Nebraska vs. North Dakota Preview
• 03:32   Nebraska’s Offensive Balance
• 04:53   The Big Picture
• 07:00   Breaking Down Both Teams
• 07:40   Can Nebraska Dominate All Four Quarters?
• 08:55   Nebraska’s Run-Pass Balance
• 09:40   Huskers Finally Creating Explosive Plays
• 12:45   Anthony Colandrea’s Elevated Play
• 14:04   Breaking Down the Rushing Matchup
• 15:39   Nebraska’s Wide Receivers
• 16:00   Can Nebraska Maintain Its Balance?
• 17:00   Breaking Down the Defense
• 19:39   Nebraska Must Clean Up the Penalties
• 20:16   Special Teams Breakdown
• 24:05   Tom Osborne’s Hall of Fame Honor
• 25:10   Random Pictures and Facts
• 27:57   Keys to the Game
• 28:15   Nebraska’s Athletic Advantage
• 28:24   Three Keys to a Nebraska Victory
• 29:00   Final Score Prediction

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube and visiting HuskerMax.co4m daily.

On this day in 1987, LaMoure County Sheriff Luther Edmunds pushed county commissioners to hire a second deputy, citing long work weeks, increasing demands and the need for 24-hour coverage.

Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

By Patrick Springer
STAFF WRITER

LaMoure County Sheriff Luther Edmunds, at odds with county commissioners over hiring a second deputy, says he is exasperated almost to the point of swearing.

Swearing in, not swearing at. The sheriff says he considered deputizing county commissioners to help provide round-the-clock law enforcement to his southeastern North Dakota county.

But he dismissed that idea. Instead, at a budget hearing today, he will ask commissioners to accompany him and his deputy while on patrol.

“Maybe then they’ll see what we go through,” Edmunds said Monday. “To see what our job entails.”

Edmunds said he and his deputy, Marke Roberts, often put in 116-hour work weeks in order to provide 24-hour coverage. He wants the county commission to hire a second deputy and give him and his deputy $100-a-month pay raises.

Failing that, he would like a $200-a-month pay raise for he and his deputy. Edmunds’ salary is $18,200 a year. Working a 116-hour week, his wage would be something more than $2 an hour — less than the minimum wage.

An elected official, Edmunds acknowledged he asked for the job. “But I have a deputy,” he said, adding he worries the deputy will go elsewhere if a back-up is not supplied.

“I’d rather have a deputy than a pay raise,” he said.

Besides the $15,500 a year Edmunds would pay a trained deputy, the county would have to pay a $7,000 car allowance, the sheriff said. The law officers use their own cars and are paid mileage.

Not all on-duty hours are spent on the street. Many hours are spent at home on call. “There’s no way that you can take off with the family and go somewhere,” he said.

Milt Lacina, LaMoure County Commission chairman, said the board is trying hard to meet the county’s needs without raising property taxes.

Lacina does not favor adding a deputy. “I don’t think we need one,” he said. “I really don’t.”

But Lacina said the raise issue is negotiable. The commission is considering a plan to raise by $50 the county’s monthly contribution to each employee’s health insurance.

“If we give them any more raises we’ll have to raise taxes, and we’re trying to avoid that,” Lacina said. “We’re right on the edge now.”

The need for a second deputy never was raised before Edmunds asked for one this year, Lacina said, questioning the sudden need. Edmunds was elected sheriff last fall; he was a deputy for the previous two years.

Edmunds said the job of law enforcement is becoming increasingly complex, and therefore time-consuming. There is more crime, and the demand for serving civil papers is up significantly, he said.

“So really we’re doing a whole lot more than they used to,” Edmunds said.

Lacina said he has no complaints about the service given by the sheriff’s office, but questions Edmunds’ position.

“It’s funny the last sheriff didn’t complain,” he said.

Edmunds’ predecessor, Ray Laning, who was LaMoure County sheriff for four years, said he did not complain — but believes a second deputy is needed.

“We needed one,” he said, “but I never asked for one. I guess I was raised in the old school where if you had a job you do it.”

Laning added, “If I had to vote on it, I’d vote for another deputy.”

If taxpayers were aware of the need, they would agree, he said. “I think if they knew the situation, they’d go along with it,” he said.

Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.