Nebraska and Iowa rarely have reason to pull in the same direction, but Saturday brought a moment that cut through the rivalry. Both schools took time to honor Derek Phillips, an Iowa marching band member who died last week after collapsing from the heat during the Hawkeyes’ game against Northern Illinois.
The tribute hit hard. Phillips’ bandmates remembered him during their halftime performance, and the scene left several members visibly struggling to hold it together. Nebraska showed its own respect by wearing Gold and Black ribbons on the marching band uniforms, a simple gesture of solidarity for a community dealing with a painful loss.
In some instances, the rivalry doesn’t matter. This is certainly one of them.
On the field, Nebraska had a much different kind of Saturday. The Huskers rolled past Bowling Green 56-7 in a game that looked lopsided from the start.
Nebraska held the Falcons to fewer than 40 yards of offense in the first half while piling up just over 330 yards itself. The second half wasn’t quite as overwhelming, but the final score still gave Husker fans plenty to like as the season moves deeper into the schedule.
The win also brought a welcome return on defense. Owen Chambliss, who missed the opener against Ohio because of a hamstring injury, made his Nebraska debut and contributed four tackles. He didn’t take over the game, but getting back on the field healthy was the important part, and he’ll have a chance to build on it next week.
There was also a notable performance from a future Husker. Tory Pittman had a big week for Millard North, scoring three touchdowns on offense and forcing a fumble on defense. The 5-star commit has said he wants to show Matt Rhule and company that he can play both ways in college, and outings like that only strengthen his case.
Nebraska volleyball had its own drama on Saturday. The Huskers were shaky early against Georgia Tech, dropping their first set of the season and falling behind 5-0 in the second. But after that slow start, Nebraska responded and turned the match around in a hurry.
In Other News...
Matt Rhule Has Another Coach Wanting Nebraskas Program Blueprint
Eddie George left Lincoln with more than a tough loss to explain. After Nebraskas decisive win over Bowling Green, the Falcons head coach had plenty of praise for Matt Rhule, pointing to the way Nebraska is being built under its third-year coach. George made clear he views Rhules approach as something worth studying, the kind of program blueprint that can draw attention from around the sport when a team looks organized, physical and steady.
For Nebraska, it was another sign that Rhules work is resonating beyond the Big Ten. George said he wants to learn from Rhule and get advice on how to keep improving his own program, a reflection of both Nebraskas momentum and the respect Rhule has earned in a short time. George also talked about his own coaching path and the progress Bowling Green has made, but the broader takeaway was simple enough: Nebraskas rebuild is becoming the standard other coaches want to understand. [Read more 🡒]
Colandrea Gave Nebraska Hope But One Sloppy Issue Still Lingers
Anthony Colandrea gave Nebraska plenty to like in the first half, looking poised in the pocket and sharp with the ball as he completed 17 of 20 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. The offense also kept leaning on its three-back rotation, the so-called Husker Hydra, and that group helped cover for Emmett Johnson by piling up 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns while the rest of the team tried to find a rhythm.
Still, there was a messy moment that hung over the cleanest stretches of the day, even if it was officially logged as Colandreas first interception of the season. The play came off a fumble by Jacory Barney after JoJo Johnson stripped the ball, a reminder that Nebraskas issues are not limited to one phase, especially with special teams also drawing flags on punt returns and adding to the sense that the Cornhuskers are still sorting out the small stuff. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas NFL Presence Just Hit A Level Fans Wont Ignore
Nebraskas NFL footprint is still recognizable when opening week arrives, but it is not as deep as it has been in recent seasons. Nine former Cornhuskers are on active rosters for the start of the 2026 season, the programs fewest in at least five years, a reminder that the pipeline to Sundays remains alive even as the total shrinks. The list still includes familiar names such as Ameer Abdullah, Maliek Collins, Luke Gifford and Cam Jurgens, along with younger former Huskers like Thomas Fidone II, Emmett Johnson and Ty Robinson.
Cam Taylor-Britt is part of that group, though his season wont begin right away because of a first-week suspension. Even with that wrinkle, Nebraska fans can still point to a mix of established veterans and recent additions spread across NFL rosters, which is what makes the number notable in the first place. It is not the biggest wave the program has sent to the league, and thats why the count stands out. [Read more 🡒]