Matt Rhule already has a read on Eddie George.
Not because George is just the former Heisman winner Nebraska fans have argued about for years, or the ex-NFL All-Pro, or the coach waiting on the other sideline Saturday. Rhule’s connection goes deeper than that.
"I consider Eddie a friend," Rhule said.
The link runs through one of Rhule’s longtime friends, a member of his wedding party, who worked as George’s strength coach at Tennessee State. Rhule has seen George build before, and he knows the shape of that work.
"I know what Coach George did there. Tough, physical team," Rhule said.
That’s the version George is trying to create at Bowling Green now. His first Falcons team went 4-8 last season, and the new one already took a hit in Week 1. Rhule said the opener showed enough to demand attention.
"They played a battle last week ... Quarterback was excellent. They've got a diverse run game ... that will challenge you," Rhule said.
He also singled out the tight ends and a linebacker, and both lived up to the billing in the opener. One tight end went for 102 yards. The linebacker piled up 16 tackles.
"Defensively, they played really well in the last game," Rhule said. "It will be a great challenge and test for us this week to improve on the things we're not doing well, and also focus on an excellent opponent."
Bowling Green’s Week 1 loss came against an FCS team, but not a soft one. Tarleton State was 12-2 a year ago, beat Army at West Point and reached the FCS quarterfinals. The Texans also beat Nebraska’s Week 3 opponent, North Dakota, 31-13 during that playoff run.
Even so, it was the kind of opener Bowling Green would love to erase.
In Other News...
Tony Whites Rough Start Is Changing How Nebraska Fans See His Exit
Tony Whites first season away from Nebraska has not unfolded the way Florida State hoped. The Seminoles defense has drawn criticism for poor performances in 2026, and one sequence against SMU, where a defenders unusual pre-snap behavior spread quickly on social media, only amplified the scrutiny. For Nebraska fans watching from a distance, it has become a fresh lens on a coordinator who left Lincoln with plenty of attention attached to his name.
The early returns in Tallahassee have also given Nebraska plenty to compare against as it moves forward with Rob Aurich now in charge of the defense. Whites units had earned respect during his time with the Cornhuskers, but Florida States struggles have made his departure look different in hindsight, even if Nebraskas own hopes now rest on whether Aurich can build on that foundation. The way Whites exit is being discussed says as much about the pressure of the job as it does about the memories he left behind. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Suddenly Loses A Bigger Role Player At A Thin Position
Nebraskas tight end room took another hit when Mac Markway announced he is stepping away from football after a run of season-ending injuries, including repeated ACL tears. The former LSU transfer had been in line for a bigger role for the Huskers, and coach Matt Rhule had recently praised the way Markway was earning more playing time, making the news a tough one for a position group that has not exactly had much margin for error.
Markway said his knees would not let him perform at the level he wanted, and he chose to retire rather than keep pushing through the pain and uncertainty. Even with his playing days over, he made clear he still wants to stay around Nebraska football off the field, thanking his coaches and teammates as he closed the door on a career that never really got the chance to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Is Testing How Safe Nebraskas 2026 Class Really Is
Florida States push into Nebraskas 2026 class has added a little late-summer intrigue to a group the Cornhuskers would prefer to keep intact. The Seminoles are reportedly after three Nebraska commits in offensive lineman Timi Aliu, defensive lineman Errol Demontagnac and defensive back Jailen Hill, a reminder that even a class that looks solid on paper can attract heavy outside attention when other programs like the fit and start circling.
Recruiting analyst Tim Verghese has said Florida State is making real efforts, but so far there has not been much traction behind the scenes. Demontagnac did not make the visit he had been expected to take, while Aliu has already been to Tallahassee and still remains committed to Nebraska, which is the kind of development the Huskers can live with for now. Florida States staff connection to former Nebraska coaches only adds another layer here, but the bigger question is whether the Seminoles can turn interest into something more serious before this recruiting fight settles down. [Read more 🡒]