Nebraska’s injury report brought one unexpected wrinkle Thursday, and it landed at a spot the Huskers can’t really afford to stress over. Running back Mekhi Nelson showed up as questionable ahead of Saturday’s game against Maryland, even though he wasn’t on the first report of the week.
That matters because the rest of the backfield picture is already murky. Jamal Rule was listed as doubtful earlier in the week, and that status hasn’t changed, which points toward him being unavailable against the Terps. If both backs are out, Nebraska would be leaning hard on the remaining pieces.
Isaiah Mozee has done his part to keep things moving. He’s totaled 149 yards on 31 carries, good for 4.8 per attempt, and he’s also flashed the kind of big-play ability that changes a drive in one snap, with multiple runs of more than 20 yards. On top of that, he’s been a reliable option as a pass catcher.
Nelson, though, is the one Nebraska would love to have available. He’s been electric when on the field, piling up 333 total yards this season and averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Jacory Barney is also questionable, while Brendan Black is probable.
On the recruiting front, Nebraska appears set to get a major visitor on campus. According to Bobby Schneider, the Huskers are expected to host 5-star EDGE David Jacobs, with help from Trae Taylor.
Jacobs is a huge name for any program to land in the building. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound defender is ranked No. 3 overall in the 2027 class by the 247 Sports composite rankings, and he’s already committed to Ohio State since last December. He’s also been productive in a big way early in his high school career, recording 34 sacks in his first three seasons.
Whether that turns into a real flip race is another question, but the visit itself is a major development. Like Trae Taylor, Jacobs would count as a game-changing commitment.
And over in volleyball, Nebraska kept rolling.
The Huskers swept Penn State, improving to 14-0 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play. Nebraska hit .419 as a team and held the Nittany Lions to .230.
The win also stretched Nebraska’s road and neutral-site winning streak to 21 matches, tying for 13th all-time in NCAA history and ranking as the third-longest run in program history.
There was a milestone for Dani Busboom Kelly, too. The sweep gave her career win No. 250, and she became the fourth-fastest coach to reach 250 all-time Division I wins in women’s college volleyball history. She reached that mark in her 295th career match, trailing only Heather Olmstead, Dave Shoji and Andy Banachowski.
Bergen Reilly turned in another big night, finishing with 34 assists, 16 digs and three blocks for her 46th career double-double. That assist total moved her to third all-time in program history with 4,145, passing assistant coach Kelly (Hunter) Natter. Reilly guided an offense that had five Huskers hitting above .300.
Harper Murray added 13 kills on .400 hitting, along with four blocks, three digs and two aces. Andi Jackson was also part of Nebraska’s balanced attack.
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 🡒]
Maryland Faces A Bigger Question Than Nebraska This Week
Nebraskas fast start has turned a trip to College Park into more than just another conference game, because the Cornhuskers arrive at 4-0 after winning at Michigan State with a balanced effort on both sides of the ball. Anthony Colandrea helped drive the offense with two touchdown passes and plenty of production on the ground, while the defense made life miserable for the Spartans by piling up six sacks and forcing three turnovers.
Maryland, meanwhile, is the team with the heavier questions hanging over it as it prepares for Nebraska. The Terrapins have the kind of returning talent that should make them competitive, but injuries and uneven play have kept them from finding a steady rhythm, and the bigger issue has become whether the coaching staff can get more out of a roster that still has pieces worth watching. [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 🡒]