Nebraska is 4-0, and that record alone tells part of the story. The bigger question, though, is what the Huskers have actually shown through four games - and Adam Carriker’s read is that there’s real progress here, even if the next stretch will demand more.
The most encouraging sign has been Nebraska’s ability to string together quality football for long stretches. Carriker noted that across 16 quarters, the Huskers have played about 11 really good ones.
That kind of consistency has been missing in recent seasons, and it showed up again in the way Nebraska finished games. The Huskers have outscored every opponent in the fourth quarter, a detail that matters when a team is trying to build a new identity under Matt Rhule.
On offense, Dana Holgorsen’s group has shown it can win in more than one way. Anthony Colandrea has been especially sharp on third down and in the red zone, two places where drives either turn into points or die out. Nebraska hasn’t been tied to a single playmaker or a single approach to move the ball, and with Jamal Rule expected back, there should be even more flexibility ahead.
The defense has brought its own set of positives. Rob Aurich’s unit has been fast, physical and far more sound in the basics.
The Blackshirts have shown they can pressure quarterbacks, keep teams from turning the corner outside and cleanly handle the routine plays. Kwazi Gilmer has become one of the team’s biggest playmakers, and Nebraska has also gotten useful snaps from others when their numbers were called.
Vincent Genatone was a good example after spending the week on scout team before being ready when Nebraska needed him.
That said, the Huskers are not finished products. Michigan State had some success running downhill, and the offensive line has been solid without controlling games the way Nebraska would like. There have also been stretches where the level of play dips, and that kind of lull could be a much bigger problem against stronger Big Ten opponents.
That is where Carriker sees the real ceiling for this team: in the trenches. Big plays from the skill positions matter, but if Nebraska wants to keep this going once the schedule gets harder, the line play has to hold up.
For now, the Huskers have checked every box in front of them. They are 4-0, they have handled business, and they have given fans reasons to think this season can be different. The next test is whether that early momentum can survive when the competition ramps up.
In Other News...
Nebraska Just Lost A Big Reason To Like The Illinois Matchup
Illinois defense is headed into a new era at an awkward time for Nebraskas upcoming trip to Champaign. Bobby Hauck was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator after Illinois finished his first season as the playcaller ranked 101st nationally in points allowed, and head coach Bret Bielema said the two sides agreed a leadership change was best for the team.
For Nebraska, the timing matters because the Cornhuskers are scheduled to meet Illinois on Nov. 6, and any shake-up on that side of the ball can quickly alter the feel of a matchup. The Illini now have a defense trying to reset in-season preparations under a new voice, which means Nebraska can no longer count on seeing the same version of a unit it may have started planning for months ago. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Fans Face A Tough Memorial Stadium Ticket Reality
Nebraska fans are going to have to get used to a different kind of ticket scramble in the coming years at Memorial Stadium. As part of the University of Nebraskas $600 million renovation project, two major changes to the stadium will force season ticketholders to pick new seats for the 2027 and 2028 football seasons, adding a real layer of uncertainty to a process many supporters have followed for decades.
The project is expected to be finished before the 2028 season, but the road to get there will not be simple. The Holland Computing Center will be relocated, and fans should also expect temporary concessions arrangements during the rebuild, another reminder that this is a sweeping overhaul, not just a facelift. For longtime ticketholders, the next couple of seasons may come with a lot more seat selection stress than game-day comfort. [Read more 🡒]
Andrew Marshall Is Turning Nebraskas Secondary Into A National Story
Andrew Marshall has gone from a transfer addition to one of the biggest reasons Nebraskas defense is getting national attention. After the Week 4 win over Michigan State, he owned the highest PFN Impact Grade among cornerbacks, a fitting snapshot of how disruptive he has been during the Cornhuskers 4-0 start. The former Idaho defensive back has quickly settled into Nebraskas secondary and become a key part of a pass defense that is playing at a high level.
Against Michigan State, Marshall didnt allow a completion on any of the three passes thrown his way and came away with an interception, the kind of outing that reinforces why he has already picked up conference recognition. For Nebraska, the bigger question is how far this secondary can carry a team that looks increasingly legitimate on the national stage, with Marshall now at the center of that conversation. [Read more 🡒]