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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Eric Olson The Associated Press
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule is entering his fourth season with expectations of breaking out, but a tough schedule and key losses may make it difficult for the team to achieve success. The Cornhuskers have lost 30 straight games against Top 25 opponents and will face Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State this season. The team needs to replace Big Ten rushing leader Emmett Johnson, who left for the NFL, and find a way to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea, a transfer from UNLV, is expected to be a key player this season.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Nebraska's football team, under coach Matt Rhule, faces a tough road ahead in their 2025 season. With a record of 7-6 last year, expectations are high for the Cornhuskers to improve, but their schedule is brutal, featuring games against Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State. Additionally, they have three November road trips, which will be a significant challenge. The team's quarterback, Anthony Colandrea, was previously named Mountain West offensive player of the year in 2025 but has never faced the tough defenses he'll encounter in the Big Ten. To make matters worse, Nebraska has lost 30 straight games against Top 25 opponents, which makes a breakout season unlikely. The team is also rebuilding its defense under new coordinator Rob Aurich and will need to find someone to replace the production of former rushing leader Emmett Johnson. Despite these challenges, the Huskers have some promising receivers, including returnees Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and Luke Lindenmeyer, as well as transfer Kwazi Gilmer from UCLA.
Written for “Cornhuskers Season Outlook” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
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No political leaning scored for article 1123 · logged 2026-08-24
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — 2025 record: 7-6
Expectations
Pressure is building on Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, who is 19-19 overall and 10-17 in Big Ten play over three seasons.
asserted
who → build → seasons
A breakout will be difficult for a program that has lost 30 straight against Top 25 opponents.
asserted
that → lose → opponents
QB Anthony Colandrea was 2025 Mountain West offensive player of the year but has never faced the gantlet of defenses he’ll go against in the Big Ten.
asserted
he → face → Ten
Huskers need to find someone to replace the production of Big Ten rushing leader Emmett Johnson.
asserted
Huskers → need → Johnson
A defense that struggled to get pressure on the quarterback and stop the run is being revamped under new coordinator Rob Aurich.
asserted
that → struggle → Aurich
Huskers haven’t won more than seven games in a season since 2016.
asserted
Huskers → win → 2016
They should be able to win at least that many and go to a third straight bowl, but only because of their light nonconference schedule.
asserted
They → win → schedule
Strengths include WR
Rhule could have his best group of receivers with returnees Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr. and TE Luke Lindenmeyer.
uncertain
Rhule → include → Hunter
UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer is a potential difference-maker, and there are a number of talented youngsters.
asserted
Gilmer → be → youngsters
The offensive line brings back LT Elijah Pritchett and C Justin Evans is one of the best players at his position in the nation.
asserted
Evans → bring → nation
The linebackers are fast and physical with Vincent Shavers Jr. poised to break out and transfers providing an upgrade.
asserted
transfers → poise → upgrade
Weaknesses include running backs
Johnson’s departure created a gaping hole.
asserted
departure → include → hole
Mekhi Nelson is back after an offseason altercation in Florida (aggravated battery charges were dropped).
asserted
charges → drop → Florida
Penn State transfer Tikey Hayes could be a factor and Isaiah Mozee, who moved from WR, will contend for carries, as will spring game star Jamal Rule.
uncertain
Rule → move → carries
The defensive line was the reason Nebraska had the Big Ten’s 18th-ranked red-zone defense and struggled against the run.
asserted
Nebraska → have → run
Huskers also must find a way to get pressure on the QB.
asserted
Huskers → find → QB
QB Anthony Colandrea (transfer from UNLV) is experienced and gives offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen the running threat he didn’t have in Dylan Raiola.
asserted
he → give → Raiola
S Dwayne McDougle III (transfer from San Diego State) had four interceptions, three breakups and 55 tackles and was one of the keys for an SDSU defense that ranked sixth nationally in pass defense.
asserted
that → have → defense
LB Owen Chambliss (transfer from San Diego State) was the only underclassman on the All-Mountain West first-team defense after making 110 tackles, including 62 solos.
asserted
Chambliss → make → solos
He averaged league highs of 21 carries and 121 yards per game.
asserted
He → average → game
QB Dylan Raiola (transferred to Oregon) was the highest-ranked recruit in program history but didn’t live up to the billing and moved on for a fresh start.
asserted
Raiola → transfer → start
LB Javin Wright (graduated) made a team-leading 86 tackles and three sacks.
asserted
Wright → graduate → tackles
