Huskers Head East to Face Rutgers

Nebraska heads on the road for a second consecutive week, as the Huskers travel to Piscataway, N.J. to take on Rutgers on Saturday. The game from Rutgers' SHI Stadium is set for an 11:30 a.m. CT kickoff on BTN.  The contest can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and its affiliates, Huskers.com and the official Huskers App. 

The Huskers will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak following a 24-13 loss at Illinois on Friday night in Champaign. The loss dropped NU to 5-4 overall on the season and 2-4 in Big Ten Conference play. The Huskers jumped to a 7-0 lead at Illinois, but the Fighting Illini tied the contest at halftime and took control in the second half and held on for the 11-point victory.

Nebraska once again out-gained the opposition, totaling 426 yards of offense to 376 yards for Illinois. However, NU was unable to convert multiple scoring chances in Illinois territory, while the Illini were efficient in their scoring opportunities.

Rutgers comes into Saturday's game with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Big Ten Conference action. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 31-10 loss at Wisconsin on Saturday, a game in which Rutgers was tied midway through the second quarter, but saw the Badgers pull away for the win. Coach Greg Schiano is in his second stint at Rutgers and his 18th season overall with the Scarlet Knights.  

The matchup is the fourth meeting between the schools since 2020, with three of those matchups coming in Piscataway. The last three meetings in the series have all been decided by seven or fewer points. 

2026 Season Notables
Nebraska opened the 2026 season by winning its first five games before dropping the past four, including three one-score losses.

• Nebraska's 5-0 start was its first unbeaten record through five games since 2016, and just NU's sixth 5-0 start since 2016. 
• Nebraska won its first two Big Ten games for the first time since 2017.
• Nebraska won each of its first five games by at least 18 points. Nebraska last won five straight games by at least 18 points at any point in a season in 1997. The last time Nebraska won each of its first five games by at least 18 points was in 1983.
• Nebraska completed non-conference play unbeaten for the third straight season. This is Nebraska's longest streak of unbeaten non-league seasons since a five-year stretch from 1997 to 2001. Nebraska has now won 11 straight regular-season non-conference games dating back to 2023.

Blackshirt Defense Among Nation's Best
The Nebraska defense is among the nation's best in 2026. Nebraska ranks among the top 20 nationally in numerous statistical categories, including total defense (282.4 ypg, 12th), scoring defense (16.6 ppg, 17th), rushing defense (90.3 ypg, 11th), pass efficiency defense (116.02, 17th) and third-down defense (25.4%, 1st).

• The Husker defense has excelled on third down, allowing opponents to convert a nation-best 25.4 percent. In Big Ten play, Nebraska held Indiana to 1-of-10, Maryland to 1-of-14 and Oregon to 3-of-17 on third downs.
• Nebraska held its first eight opponents to 23 or fewer points. It marked the first time Nebraska held the first eight opponents in a season to 23 or fewer points since 1996.
• Nebraska has held each of the past four opponents (Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Illinois) to seven or fewer points in the first half.
• Nebraska has allowed less than 100 rushing yards six times, including a season-low 32 rushing yards to Washington. In Big Ten games, Nebraska is allowing 81.7 rushing yards per game. In addition to the season-best effort against Washington, NU held Michigan State to 39 rushing yards, and Indiana to 65 rushing yards, the Hoosiers' lowest total over the past two seasons. Nebraska is allowing 85.1 fewer rushing yards per game this season than in 2025, the fifth-most improved rush defense in the nation.
• Against Bowling Green, Nebraska allowed only 169 total yards, the fewest by the Blackshirts since allowing 160 yards to Houston Christian last season. North Dakota picked up only 205 yards against the Huskers.
• Nebraska allowed Bowling Green just nine first downs, while North Dakota picked up 10 first downs against the Blackshirts. It was the first time Nebraska has allowed 10 or fewer first downs in consecutive games since the first two games of the 1999 season. 
  

Offense Showing Balanced Attack
The Husker offense has shown balance in 2026, highlighted by early-season success. Nebraska ranks in the top 40 in rushing offense (181.7 ypg, 36th), total offense (425.0 ypg, 34th) and third-down conversion percentage (49.2%, 16th).

• Nebraska has topped 200 yards in both rushing and passing four times in 2026, including each of the first three games. That marked the first time Nebraska reached that statistical milestone in three straight games since 2016. Nebraska has now topped 200 yards in both categories six times in Rhule's tenure. 
• Nebraska surpassed 500 yards in each of the first two games, marking the first time NU had topped 500 yards of total offense in back-to-back games since against Akron and Houston Christian in 2025. The Huskers have topped 500 yards five times under Matt Rhule.
• Nebraska scored three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns against Maryland. NU has had at least one rushing and passing touchdown in seven of nine games this season.
• Nebraska scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games. It was the first time Nebraska scored more than 30 points in five consecutive games since 2018, and the first time NU scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games since 2014. 

Husker Standouts Earn Mid-Season Honors
Several Huskers have been recognized in recent weeks with honors, adding to a number of preseason honors for Husker players.

• Cornerback Andrew Marshall was named a first-team Midseason All-American by On3 and Sports Illustrated for his standout play in the NU secondary, while also being adding to the Bednarik Award Watch List.
• Linebacker Owen Chambliss and center Justin Evans were both named second-team Midseason All-Americans by The Athletic. Chambliss is Nebraska's leading tackler, while Evans anchors a veteran offensive line.
• Punter Archie Wilson was named to the Ray Guy Award Midseason Watch List. He was also the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for his effort against Washington. Wilson is averaging 44.9 yards per punt and has downed 14 of his 33 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line.

A number of Huskers were named to watch lists prior to the start of the 2026 season.

• Jacory Barney Jr. was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, which is presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Barney had 45 catches for 484 yards and five receiving touchdowns in 2025, and he also had 22 punt returns for 270 yards, ranking 13th nationally with an average of 12.3 yards per punt return.
• Chambliss was named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best linebacker. Chambliss was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection last year at San Diego State, when he led the Aztecs with 110 tackles.
• Anthony Colandrea was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, an award presented annually to the College Player of the Year. The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year at UNLV last season, Colandrea was one of four FBS quarterbacks with 4,000 yards of total offense in 2025.
• Donovan Jones was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list. The Wuerffel trophy honors student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. Jones is one of the most active Huskers in the community.
• Evans was named to the watch list for the Rimington Award, presented annually to the nation's top center and named after former Husker center Dave Rimington. Evans started all 13 games at center for Nebraska in 2025, and he is regarded as the No. 1 graded center in the country by PFF College and a preseason second-team All-American by The Athletic. He is also part of the Jason Witten College Man of the Year watch list.