Nebraska’s 49-21 season-opening win over Ohio gives the box score plenty of shine, and the Huskers also did what they were supposed to do against a MAC opponent that looks capable of making noise this fall. But the game itself came with some unease for anyone who watched it unfold.
On this week’s Corn Nation Overreaction, Jake and Greg dug into the result and the way it played out. The final margin was decisive, and Nebraska covered the spread, but that doesn’t mean the performance felt clean from start to finish. Ohio isn’t just some throwaway opener; the Bobcats are a legitimate team and should be in the mix for the MAC crown, even if Western Michigan may have something to say about that.
What stood out most was the way Nebraska handled the game after halftime. From one view, it looked like a team that spent the first two quarters in a real fight, then came out of the break and made the adjustments needed to take control in the second half. That kind of response has not always come easily for recent Huskers teams, which makes this version of the win feel different.
The other major storyline was the debut of freshman Jamal Rule. He turned in a breakout performance, rushing for more than 100 yards and finding the end zone three times in his first college game.
He wasn’t carrying the offense alone, either. Anthony Colandrea helped power the attack through the air, throwing for nearly 300 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Has A Linebacker Concern It Can't Ignore
Owen Chambliss was already trying to work his way back into Nebraskas defensive picture after missing much of fall camp and the opener with a hamstring issue, and now the Cornhuskers may have to keep waiting a little longer. Matt Rhule said the linebacker might not be available for the upcoming game against Bowling Green, a reminder that the Huskers are still sorting out a position group they expected to lean on this early in the season.
Rhule called Chambliss a valuable player, but he did not offer much clarity on when the injury might finally let up. For a Nebraska defense trying to settle in, the uncertainty matters, especially with a player whose role was supposed to grow once he got back on the field. The next update on Chambliss could tell the Huskers a lot about how soon they can count on being whole at linebacker. [Read more 🡒]
Former Nebraska Receiver Is Raising An Uncomfortable Question For Huskers Fans
Malachi Colemans latest performance came in a spot Nebraska fans know well, even if theyd probably rather not revisit it. The former Huskers receiver, now at Wisconsin, put together a strong showing against Notre Dame with 4 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while playing 40 snaps and drawing top offensive grades from Pro Football Focus for the Badgers.
For Nebraska, the uncomfortable part is not just that Coleman is making plays elsewhere, but that he has now moved multiple times within the Big Ten and is still flashing the kind of upside the Huskers once hoped to harness. Coleman also spoke after the game about areas he still wants to clean up, which only adds to the sense that his story is still unfolding - and that Nebraska supporters may be left wondering what might have been. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Depth Chart Hints At A Feel Good Breakthrough On Defense
Nebraskas depth chart stayed mostly steady from the previous week, but one addition stood out for what it says about the programs persistence: defensive end Mac Markway is back in the mix after working his way through three torn ACLs. For a defense that has spent the offseason trying to build more dependable depth, simply getting a player like Markway onto the chart is a meaningful step, and it fits with the broader theme around Matt Rhules roster-building approach.
Rhule said Markways role is expected to grow week by week, along with the roles of wide receiver Demitrius Bell and true freshman cornerback Danny Odem, all of whom saw the field in the opener. For Nebraska, the next few games will be about whether those early snaps turn into something more durable, especially on a defense where every useful piece matters and every bit of progress feels worth tracking. [Read more 🡒]