Nebraska got a mixed bag in the first Big Ten availability report for its Halloween matchup with Washington, but the Huskers did get one notable boost: running back Jamal Rule is not listed at all, a sign he appears ready after missing part or all of the last four games.
The report also points toward the return of another key piece. Riley Van Poppel and Isaiah Mozee are both listed as probable, with Van Poppel in line to come back after missing the games against Indiana and Oregon.
Mozee’s status is encouraging too after offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said Tuesday that he returned to practice Monday, a surprise after Matt Rhule said following the Oregon game that Mozee would be out “for a while.” Mozee still isn’t fully back, but the designation gives him a strong chance to play Saturday.
Nebraska did not get all good news, though. Safety Jamir Conn remains out, leaving the Huskers without one of their best defensive backs after he also missed the Oregon game. Caleb Benning filled in well in his first career start, finishing with 12 tackles and forcing a fumble.
The rest of Nebraska’s players listed as out are either dealing with longer-term injuries or have already been ruled out for the season:
Jamir Conn (DB)
Anthony Jones Jr. (DL)
Larry Miles (WR)
Kahmir Prescott (DB)
Vincent Genatone (RB)
Jase Reynolds (LB)
Jacob Bower (LB)
Gabe Moore (DL)
Washington’s side of the report brings its own uncertainty, starting with quarterback Demond Williams. Jedd Fisch listed Williams as questionable, along with linebacker Xe'ree Alexander and running backs Jayden Limar and Trey Cooley. Limar and Cooley are Washington’s 2nd- and 3rd-leading rushers among the Huskies’ running backs.
The Huskies also listed running back Ansu Sanoe and offensive linemen Justin Hylkema and Jake Flores as doubtful. Meanwhile, running back Jordan Washington, wide receiver Christian Moss, EDGE Ramzak Fruean, running back Quaid Carr, offensive lineman Landen Hatchett, and safety CJ Christian are all out.
Fisch said earlier this week that he would not name a starting quarterback until Saturday, and Williams’ questionable tag adds another wrinkle. He has been banged up, but Fisch had indicated he would compete with Elijah Brown for the job against Nebraska. This report may point toward Brown, or it may just be Washington keeping things close heading into kickoff.
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Nebraskas blackout look will meet a prime-time setting at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night, with a 7 p.m. kickoff against Washington and a forecast calling for mild weather with only a slight chance of showers. It is the kind of stage that should feel big even before the first snap, especially for a Huskers team trying to steady itself in a game that already carries plenty of weight.
The matchup also brings some familiar concerns into the spotlight, starting with Nebraskas special teams issues, most notably in punt returns. Add in an injury situation that still needs watching and a Washington offense that has shown enough recent life to demand respect, and the margin for error feels thin. For Nebraska, this is the sort of night that can shape the mood around the program quickly, because in a can't lose spot, even the smallest mistake tends to loom large. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Just Landed An Early Opening With A Coveted Missouri RB
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Sharp is a four-star running back with scholarship offers stacking up from multiple programs, and his appeal goes well beyond carrying the ball. He has shown value as a runner, receiver and return specialist across his freshman and sophomore seasons, the kind of versatility that tends to keep schools watching closely once the offers start rolling in. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Faces A Tough Washington Twist No Scout Team Can Replicate
Washington comes into its meeting with Nebraska off a bye week, and Jedd Fisch has been leaning into the value of a hard, physical practice schedule as the Huskies get back to game speed. For the Cornhuskers, that creates a prep problem that is tough to solve on a scout team, because Washington is dealing with more than just fresh legs. The Huskies have had to navigate a season-ending injury to starting center Landen Hatchett, which changes the feel of their offense in a hurry.
There is also some uncertainty under center, with Demond Williams Jr. and Elijah Brown both in the mix at quarterback, giving Nebraska a moving target as it studies film. Defensively, Washington has been disruptive enough to rank 11th in the Big Ten and has shown a knack for forcing turnovers, even if red zone defense remains a soft spot. For Nebraska, the challenge is not just matching the physicality of a rested team, but trying to sort out a couple of pieces that could reshape how this one looks when the ball is finally kicked off. [Read more 🡒]