Thomas Fidone finally got his first NFL catch, and that was the kind of moment that turned Week 7 into a memorable one for Nebraska alumni around the league.
The former Huskers had a little bit of everything on Sunday: useful special teams work, a strong defensive line showing, a fresh contract, and a long-awaited return to the field after a concussion stint. Not every result went their way, but several Nebraska names made their presence felt.
Fidone’s day stood out most in the New York Giants’ overtime win over the Houston Texans. He not only got into the game, he hauled in a 29-yard reception that nearly became his first career touchdown. That catch was the highlight of the week for a former Nebraska tight end who will probably remember Sunday for a long time.
Emmett Johnson also chipped in, even if the scoreboard didn’t cooperate. He’s still not seeing many carries because of Kenneth Walker's strong season for the Kansas City Chiefs, but he found ways to contribute anyway.
Johnson finished with 98 all-purpose yards, including 81 kickoff-return yards and 17 receiving yards. His 41-yard return was his longest of the season.
Still, the production came in a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
On defense, Cam Taylor-Britt turned in the best outing among Nebraska alumni. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he posted 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
Taylor-Britt is in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts after spending his first few years with NU alumnus Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals. Through this season, he has 13 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass breakups.
Maliek Collins didn’t fill up the stat sheet for the Cleveland Browns, but he did record a tackle in another tight win. Cleveland moved to 5-2 in 2026 after surviving yet another close one. Collins also had bigger news waiting off the field: he and the Browns agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension.
Cam Jurgens made an important return for the Baltimore Ravens after missing time in concussion protocol. It was his first game since being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles, and just getting back on the field mattered.
With Jurgens back, rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane moved to his natural spot at right guard. Baltimore jumped out to a 13-0 lead over the Bengals in the first half, but Joe Burrow and Cincinnati took over after the break, scoring 35 unanswered points in a 35-13 win.
Nebraska didn’t have a game this week, but its former players still left a mark across the NFL. For Fidone, though, Week 7 belonged to one first catch and one very near touchdown.
In Other News...
Nebraskas Promising Season Hinges On Fixing 3 Costly Problems
Nebraskas 5-2 start has kept the Cornhuskers in the conversation, but the way those wins have come has left a few rough edges that matter as the schedule tightens. The offense has had trouble keeping its ground game rolling once conference play begins, and quarterback Anthony Colandrea has ended up leading the rushing effort in several games, a sign that the balance Nebraska wants still needs work.
The bigger concern is how the team has managed games after halftime. Production has dipped in the third quarter, then the defense has been less dependable in the fourth, a combination that can turn a good season into a stressful finish if it lingers. Nebraska has given itself a solid foundation, but the next stretch will depend on whether it can smooth out those lapses and play more complete football when the margin gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Rhules Washington Test Just Got Trickier After Nebraskas Bye Week
Matt Rhule spent Nebraskas lone bye week doing what coaches always hope a pause can do: tighten the plan and buy time for bodies to heal. In his recap, Rhule pointed to the chance to adjust preparation while also monitoring the recoveries of Jamir Conn and Anthony Jones Jr., two players whose availability matters as the Huskers turn the page toward a new Big Ten test.
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Nebraskas Big Ten Path Just Got A Lot More Complicated
The Big Ten picture around Nebraska tightened up in a hurry over the weekend. Illinois knocked off Oregon 21-10 as a 9.5-point underdog behind backup quarterback Michael Clayton IIs two touchdown passes, while Iowa stumbled in a 13-10 loss to Minnesota with an offense that never found its footing and threw three interceptions.
For Nebraska, the timing matters because the Cornhuskers are coming out of a bye week into a crucial home game against Washington, and the league around them is no longer offering many easy assumptions. Rutgers and Michigan State have also been navigating recent games and bye weeks, which only adds to the shifting backdrop as Nebraska tries to sort out its path in a crowded Big Ten race. [Read more 🡒]