Anthony Colandrea’s Nebraska debut had a moment that won’t show up as the flashiest play of the day, but it said plenty about what the Huskers are getting at quarterback.
Late in the third quarter, with Ohio having cut the margin to 28-21 and Nebraska staring at third-and-6, Colandrea didn’t force the issue. He saw room, tucked the ball and picked up nine yards to keep the drive alive. It wasn’t the kind of snap that ends up on highlight reels, but it was exactly the kind Nebraska needed on a scorching afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
That run set up the next big swing. On the very next play, Colandrea dumped the ball underneath to Mekhi Nelson, and Nelson turned the checkdown into a 51-yard touchdown, breaking through a tired Bobcats defense.
The sequence fit the story of the day for Nebraska’s new quarterback. After months of hearing about his mobility and the value of those chain-moving scrambles, the Huskers finally got the real thing in a game that demanded it. Colandrea didn’t just make plays with his legs; he helped steady Nebraska when the pressure started to build.
"It was a sweltering day, as hot on the turf as any in recent Memorial Stadium memory. But in his Husker debut, the QB showed a cool head when challenged and some fire when his teammates needed challenging, too.
"I think it was good for us to get punched in the face and have adversity for a second," Colandrea said. "Coming in at half, Coach Rhule just said, 'Play our ball.'
We did 21 days of fall camp. We've played together.
Just go out there and play football.""
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Linebacker Concern It Can't Ignore
Owen Chambliss was already trying to work his way back into Nebraskas defensive picture after missing much of fall camp and the opener with a hamstring issue, and now the Cornhuskers may have to keep waiting a little longer. Matt Rhule said the linebacker might not be available for the upcoming game against Bowling Green, a reminder that the Huskers are still sorting out a position group they expected to lean on this early in the season.
Rhule called Chambliss a valuable player, but he did not offer much clarity on when the injury might finally let up. For a Nebraska defense trying to settle in, the uncertainty matters, especially with a player whose role was supposed to grow once he got back on the field. The next update on Chambliss could tell the Huskers a lot about how soon they can count on being whole at linebacker. [Read more 🡒]
Former Nebraska Receiver Is Raising An Uncomfortable Question For Huskers Fans
Malachi Colemans latest performance came in a spot Nebraska fans know well, even if theyd probably rather not revisit it. The former Huskers receiver, now at Wisconsin, put together a strong showing against Notre Dame with 4 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while playing 40 snaps and drawing top offensive grades from Pro Football Focus for the Badgers.
For Nebraska, the uncomfortable part is not just that Coleman is making plays elsewhere, but that he has now moved multiple times within the Big Ten and is still flashing the kind of upside the Huskers once hoped to harness. Coleman also spoke after the game about areas he still wants to clean up, which only adds to the sense that his story is still unfolding - and that Nebraska supporters may be left wondering what might have been. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Depth Chart Hints At A Feel Good Breakthrough On Defense
Nebraskas depth chart stayed mostly steady from the previous week, but one addition stood out for what it says about the programs persistence: defensive end Mac Markway is back in the mix after working his way through three torn ACLs. For a defense that has spent the offseason trying to build more dependable depth, simply getting a player like Markway onto the chart is a meaningful step, and it fits with the broader theme around Matt Rhules roster-building approach.
Rhule said Markways role is expected to grow week by week, along with the roles of wide receiver Demitrius Bell and true freshman cornerback Danny Odem, all of whom saw the field in the opener. For Nebraska, the next few games will be about whether those early snaps turn into something more durable, especially on a defense where every useful piece matters and every bit of progress feels worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]