Nebraska gets one more nonconference test before Big Ten play, and this week’s spotlight falls on the quarterbacks.
After the Huskers rolled Bowling Green 56-7 on Saturday, they’re back at Memorial Stadium to face North Dakota. On the surface, the comparison looks pretty tight: Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea has been sharp through two games, and North Dakota’s Jerry Kaminski has piled up even bigger numbers while helping the Fighting Hawks jump to 3-0.
The catch is the level of competition. North Dakota is an FCS program, and while it’s a strong one, its first three opponents have combined for just 2-7 records. That doesn’t erase what Kaminski has done, but it does frame it.
Colandrea looked far more settled against Bowling Green than he did in the opener against Ohio. After completing 18 of 32 passes in that first game, he bounced back by going 20 for 24 for 222 yards and four touchdowns in Nebraska’s lopsided win. All four scoring throws came before halftime, helping Nebraska build a 35-0 lead and take control early.
He did get tagged with his first interception on the Huskers’ opening drive, after the ball was ripped away from Jacory Barney Jr. But that mistake didn’t linger. Nebraska answered by scoring touchdowns on each of its next five possessions.
Through two games, Colandrea has completed 38 of 56 passes for 497 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He’s also run for 56 yards and a touchdown. His PFF numbers reflect the strong start: a 91.5 overall grade, an 85.7 passing grade and an 88.4 rushing grade.
That’s a noticeable jump from his 84.3 overall grade after the Ohio game, and it’s exactly the kind of start Nebraska wanted when it brought in the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Colandrea has shown he can work from the pocket, extend plays when things break down and force defenses to account for his legs.
Kaminski, though, has been putting up video-game numbers of his own.
He entered 2026 after accounting for 3,177 all-purpose yards and 34 total touchdowns last season, helping North Dakota reach the second round of the FCS Playoffs. He opened this year with 232 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 42-21 win over LIU, then followed that with five touchdown passes in a 62-26 win over St. Thomas.
His best outing may have come Friday night against Portland State, when he completed 21 of 29 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-23 victory. He also added 56 rushing yards as North Dakota rolled up 627 yards of total offense.
Through three games, Kaminski has thrown for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns. He owns a 90.0 overall PFF grade, including an 89.6 passing grade and a 67.4 rushing grade. The rushing grade trails Colandrea’s, but his work against Portland State showed he can still hurt a defense with his feet.
So yes, the numbers are elite. But Nebraska is walking into a very different test than the one North Dakota has seen so far.
The Fighting Hawks have been dominant, scoring 151 points in three games, but LIU, St. Thomas and Portland State haven’t provided the kind of challenge the Huskers can offer.
For Saturday, that’s the real measuring stick.
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Colandrea Gave Nebraska Hope But One Sloppy Issue Still Lingers
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Still, there was a messy moment that hung over the cleanest stretches of the day, even if it was officially logged as Colandreas first interception of the season. The play came off a fumble by Jacory Barney after JoJo Johnson stripped the ball, a reminder that Nebraskas issues are not limited to one phase, especially with special teams also drawing flags on punt returns and adding to the sense that the Cornhuskers are still sorting out the small stuff. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Showed Class In A Rivalry Moment Fans Wont Forget
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The on-field story still had plenty to say for the Cornhuskers, who backed up the emotional moment with a decisive win. Linebacker Owen Chambliss also made his return from injury and was part of the defense with tackles, giving Nebraska a little more depth as it moved on from a weekend that will be remembered for much more than the final score. [Read more 🡒]