Nebraska kept the momentum rolling last week, and now the Huskers get to bring a 4-0 start home for homecoming.
That road win over Michigan State wasn’t spotless, but it was convincing enough to keep Nebraska moving forward in a 2026 season that has started to look increasingly real. Anthony Colandrea kept the offense humming with two more touchdown passes and a team-high 66 rushing yards, while the passing game stayed in sync with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
When star freshman Jamal Rule went down early, Mekhi Nelson stepped in and delivered 61 rushing yards and a score. Kwazi Gilmer also made his mark, hauling in a deep strike from Colandrea for Nebraska’s first touchdown and finishing with 104 receiving yards.
The defense did plenty of heavy lifting, too. Nebraska piled up six sacks and forced three turnovers - one fumble and two interceptions - while repeatedly punishing a Michigan State offensive line that never seemed to settle in.
Williams Nwaneri accounted for two sacks, and Owen Chambliss added an interception along with a team-high eight tackles. Whenever Michigan State tried to swing the game’s momentum, Nebraska had a response.
Now the Huskers turn to Maryland, a team that came into the season with real hope and plenty of pressure.
Mike Locksley was staring at a hot seat after back-to-back 4-8 seasons, but the Terrapins had reasons to believe 2026 could look different. They kept star quarterback Malik Washington after improved NIL support, returned key defensive pieces like sack leader Sidney Stewart and former five-star defensive end Zahir Mathis, and added one of the country’s top prospects in Zion Elee. Maryland also brought back its all-conference punter and Lou Groza award-winning placekicker.
But the questions never really went away. The Terps had to rebuild their wide receiver room through the transfer portal, and most of the secondary from 2025 had to be replaced after that group led Maryland to its most interceptions since 2010. Then preseason camp brought a major blow when Mathis was lost to injury, and the ceiling on the defense changed immediately.
Maryland looked fine early, blasting Hampton 62-0 and UConn 38-14, but the last two weeks have been a mess. Virginia Tech beat the Terrapins 35-26, and UCLA followed with a 54-3 rout.
The biggest problem is the run game, and it’s hard to ignore how bad that has been on both sides of the ball. Virginia Tech and UCLA combined for 397 rushing yards in those wins, while Maryland managed just 103.
DeJaun Williams and Iverson Howard are the likely lead backs Saturday, but the Terps haven’t found much traction there. The passing game, at least, has some stability with Washington at quarterback.
Wyoming transfer Chris Durr Jr. leads the way with a Big Ten-best 35 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Protection has mostly held up - Maryland has allowed five sacks in four games - but the lack of production on the ground points straight back to the line.
Defensively, the Terrapins still have some talent, and they spread the production around. Six different players have at least one sack, with DD Holmes leading the group at 2.5. Eyan Thomas, listed at 337 pounds, has a pair of sacks and tackles for loss, while Carlton Smith and Daniel Wingate pace the team in tackles with 26 and 25.
Even with that personnel, Maryland has underachieved. The Terrapins should be causing more problems up front, but they’ve given up 445 and 475 yards in their last two games. That opens the door for Nebraska to focus on Washington and the Maryland receivers and try to make the offense one-dimensional.
The matchup sets up well for the Huskers, and the expectation here is that they keep handling business and head into next week’s game against Indiana at 5-0.
In Other News...
Nebraska Volleyball Had Fans Cracking Up Over One Awkward Viral Moment
A recent Nebraska volleyball press conference produced the kind of awkward, funny moment that can take on a life of its own once it hits social media. A clip from the session featuring a Cornhuskers player quickly circulated online after she tried to compliment a teammates skill, calling it harder than expected and praising her ability to move the balls.
For a program already ranked No. 1 nationally, the viral moment was a reminder that even in a season built around expectations and polish, players still have to navigate live interviews in real time. Under John Cook, Nebraska has long been known for success on the court, but this was one of those off-court snippets that gave fans something lighter to latch onto while the bigger volleyball picture keeps rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Backfield Concern Fans Didn't See Coming
Nebraskas backfield is starting to look a little thinner at the wrong time, with the latest injury report listing Mekhi Nelson as questionable ahead of the Maryland game and Jamal Rule still doubtful. For a team trying to keep its offense steady and its game plan balanced, even a couple of uncertain names in the running back room can change how the week is approached, especially when the Huskers are trying to stay ahead of the curve on both sides of the ball.
There is at least some good news on the horizon for the program, with Nebraska expected to host five-star EDGE recruit David Jacobs for a visit, a notable development on the recruiting trail. And across the athletic department, Nebraska volleyball kept rolling with a sweep of Penn State, extending its win streak and giving Dani Busboom Kelly her 250th career win, a reminder that the schools momentum is coming from more than one place. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska's 4-0 Start Feels Real For One Big Reason
Nebraskas 4-0 start has put some real substance behind the early optimism in Lincoln, and it is not just because the record looks shiny in September. The Huskers have gotten the kind of support that can stabilize a hot start, from favorable officiating to quarterback Anthony Colandrea settling in, while a strong defense and contributors like Kwazi Gilmer have helped turn close stretches into something that feels more sustainable.
Maryland is next, and that matchup should say plenty about how sturdy this beginning really is. The Terrapins bring an offense that will test Nebraskas defense in a way the first month has not fully done yet, so this trip into the Big Ten grind could reveal whether the Huskers first 4-0 opening since 2016 is the start of something lasting or just a fast start that still needs more proof. [Read more 🡒]