During a recent trip to Alaska, I saw firsthand that Husker Nation knows no boundaries. From Denali to Ketchikan, the sea of red was alive and well. It was amazing to see so many fellow Nebraska fans at the farthest reaches of the country, swapping stories of the team’s history and future while marveling at glaciers and wildlife. It’s a testament to the loyalty of Husker fans that, no matter where you go, there’s always a friendly face sporting the iconic “N.”
My adventures even continued during a layover in Denver’s airport, where I caught the Huskers’ game against Colorado. The spirit in the air was electrifying—though not all of it positive. Among the travelers, I witnessed an approximately 8-year-old child cursing the Huskers as his parents laughed. Sadly, it was a reminder of how rivalries can sometimes bring out the worst. It’s one thing to enjoy the competition, but watching kids mirror such negativity isn’t what sports are all about.
The Colorado Game: Huskers Set the Tone
That scene didn’t take away from what the Huskers accomplished on the field. Nebraska’s 28-10 win over Colorado was a defining moment early in the season. Nebraska’s defense was outstanding, holding Colorado to just 16 rushing yards, which marked their fewest allowed since 2020. The Huskers were all over the Buffs’ offensive line, sacking their quarterback six times, with four sacks coming in the first half alone. Tommi Hill’s pick-six was the exclamation point, and Dante Dowdell’s 74 rushing yards and two touchdowns proved that the Huskers are capable of wearing teams down both offensively and defensively.
The victory also gave Nebraska its 50th win over Colorado in their historic rivalry, and for Coach Matt Rhule, it was a major boost in just his second season at the helm. After years of uncertainty, it seems that Rhule is bringing the Blackshirts’ defensive toughness back to Lincoln in full force.
Looking Ahead: Huskers vs. Northern Iowa
The Huskers now turn their attention to Northern Iowa, a program coming off a gritty 17-10 win over St. Thomas (Minn.). This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, but don’t let UNI’s FCS label fool you—they’re ranked No. 21 in the FCS coaches poll and average nearly 300 rushing yards per game.
Nebraska’s defense, which has been nothing short of suffocating, will look to continue its dominance, as the Blackshirts have allowed a mere 36 rushing yards per game this season. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be key, but equally important is Nebraska’s balanced offensive attack, averaging 186 rushing yards and 234.5 passing yards per game. With the Huskers playing their second of three straight night games at Memorial Stadium, expect the crowd to be loud as Nebraska tries to cap its non-conference schedule at 3-0.
Positive Poll Position but Caution Ahead
Nebraska’s strong start has also vaulted them into the national rankings for the first time since 2019. They currently sit at No. 23 in the AP poll and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. While it’s thrilling for fans to see the Huskers return to national prominence, it’s important to keep things in perspective—it’s still early, and the real tests will come during Big Ten play. The game against Northern Iowa offers a great opportunity to fine-tune before the grind of the conference schedule begins, but for now, Husker fans have every reason to be excited about this team’s potential.
