Nebraska has had Rutgers’ number for a long time, but the Scarlet Knights may be bringing a much more dangerous offense to the table in 2026.
That’s the wrinkle for Husker fans: the Cornhuskers are 7-0 against Greg Schiano’s program, which makes Rutgers easy to shrug off at first glance. But this version of the Scarlet Knights has a legitimate quarterback in Dylan Lonergan, and that changes the conversation heading into the Nov. 14 matchup.
Lonergan arrived at Rutgers from Boston College through the Transfer Portal this winter and won a battle for the starting job against AJ Surace. If he keeps that role through the season, he’ll be the one steering an offense that has plenty of firepower around him.
His 2025 season at Boston College was sturdy even if the team around him was not. The Eagles went 2-10, but Lonergan completed nearly 67% of his passes for 2,025 yards, 12 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions.
He topped 300 passing yards three times, and Boston College lost all three of those games. The Eagles’ only win against an FBS opponent came in the season’s final week, a 34-12 victory over Syracuse, though Lonergan was limited by injury to just two pass attempts and left early.
Rutgers also has skill talent that gives Lonergan a real platform. Antwan Raymond ran for 1,241 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025.
KJ Duff added 60 receptions and 1,084 receiving yards, and he picked up multiple preseason honors. Up front, Schiano has said the starting offensive line is mostly set as the 2026 season approaches.
That combination is enough to make Nebraska take notice. The Huskers’ defense still has plenty of unanswered questions, even if the late-November timing gives the unit a chance to settle in by then. If Lonergan settles in quickly and Nebraska’s defense doesn’t come together the way Rob Aurich wants, Rutgers could be a much tougher assignment than the historical record suggests.
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Singleton has been just as encouraging on the other side of the ball, logging meaningful defensive snaps and showing up where it matters most for a safety trying to stick. He led the Chiefs in tackles in one game and drew a strong grade from Pro Football Focus, signs that he is not just surviving preseason reps but making a legitimate push for regular-season playing time. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Enters A Crucial Stretch With Health Concerns Mounting
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Nebraska Still Has A Few Big Questions Heading Into The Opener
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There are also a few individual names worth tracking as the season approaches, including Riley Van Poppel and Victor Evans. The offensive line still has questions to answer, and special teams gives Nebraska at least one reason for optimism after Phil Steele ranked it No. 22 nationally. Even with the opener looming, this is still a roster in motion, and the next round of decisions could matter just as much as the first game itself. [Read more 🡒]