Week 6 gave former Huskers a little of everything across the NFL: a sack from Maliek Collins, a bigger workload for Emmett Johnson, and a first pro touchdown for Nate Boerkircher.
Collins was the headline act among the Nebraska alums, turning in a strong day for the Browns in their win over the Ravens. The defensive tackle started and finished with three tackles and an 8-yard sack. He was on the field for 40 defensive snaps and three more on special teams.
Johnson’s role expanded for the Chiefs in their win over the Chargers, with kick return work added to his responsibilities. He carried the ball three times for six yards and caught two passes for 18 yards, then handled two kickoff returns for 50 yards. He logged 18 offensive snaps and 10 on special teams.
Boerkircher made the kind of play that sticks. The Giants tight end started and hauled in his first NFL touchdown, a 1-yard, one-handed grab, in New York’s 34-31 loss to Houston. He finished with two catches for eight yards while playing 39 snaps on offense and six on special teams.
Ameer Abdullah was busy on special teams in Jacksonville’s loss to Houston, returning four kickoffs for 118 yards. He briefly left the game because of injury and was on the field for seven special teams snaps.
Cam Taylor-Britt worked as a reserve defensive back in the Colts’ loss to the Titans, contributing one tackle on defense and one on special teams. He played 24 defensive snaps and 11 on special teams.
Luke Gifford started at linebacker for the 49ers in their Monday night win over Washington, but his night ended with an injury. He recorded one defensive tackle and played four defensive snaps and nine on special teams.
Thomas Fidone started at tight end for the Giants and saw a heavy workload in the loss to the Saints, taking part in 29 offensive snaps and 21 on special teams.
The remaining former Huskers on NFL rosters were not listed with game action: Cam Jurgens with the Ravens, Ty Robinson with the Eagles, and the players on practice squads - Dane Key with the Broncos, Isaiah Neyor with the Packers, Henry Lutovsky, Ben Scott and Javin Wright with the Buccaneers, DeShon Singleton with the Chiefs, Ben Stille with the Lions, Trey Palmer with the Saints and Jack Stoll with the 49ers.
In Other News...
Nebraskas Big Ten Path Just Got Stranger At The Perfect Time
The Big Ten picture has gotten a little murkier at the exact moment Nebraska needs clarity, with several league teams dealing with injuries to starting quarterbacks. For the Cornhuskers, that adds another layer to the prep work as they try to regroup from their own recent losses and sort through what the road ahead might look like.
The ripple effect matters because Nebraskas upcoming opponents are among those working through uncertain quarterback situations, and the timelines vary enough to keep game-planning in flux. Ohio State is already one of the more notable cases, with Julian Sayin confirmed to be out several weeks because of a throwing-shoulder injury, and the rest of the league may not be much more settled when Nebraska gets there. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Bye Week Grades Show Who Has Carried This 5-2 Start
Nebraska heads into its bye week at 5-2, a record that reflects both progress and some frustrating near-misses after two close losses. There has been plenty of turnover around the program, from new faces on special teams and defense to a clear emphasis on getting the offensive line where it needs to be, and the early returns show a team with a few defined strengths even as the overall profile still leaves room to grow.
Anthony Colandrea has been the top offensive performer in the grading, giving the offense a steady leader as the Cornhuskers sort through the next phase of the season. On the other side, linebacker Owen Chambliss has emerged as the highest-graded defensive transfer, part of a group that has helped Nebraska flash in rushing and coverage while the teams overall grades sit in the mid-40s nationally. The bye comes at a useful time, with the good and the not-so-good both laid out clearly enough to make the next stretch feel especially important. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska's Quarterback Situation Just Got More Complicated After Rhule's Remarks
Matt Rhule spent part of his postgame remarks putting Nebraskas quarterback picture in a sharper light, and not just because of what Anthony Colandrea can do with the ball in his hands. Rhule pointed to Colandreas dual-threat skill set and the way the Huskers have leaned on zone read concepts, while also crediting Oregons defensive front for making life difficult. At the same time, he stressed that the offense needs cleaner play up front, since the lines performance can shape how often Colandrea gets to operate on the move.
Rhule also made a point of pushing back on the outside noise that has started to swirl around the quarterback room. He said Colandrea has shown good judgment on scrambles and urged people not to buy into negative narratives about whether teammates are behind him, even as rumors have linked him to possible SEC interest. For Nebraska, the issue is bigger than one game or one play call now, because the way the staff frames Colandreas role may say as much about the quarterback plan going forward as the snaps themselves. [Read more 🡒]