As hard as we all try, not every single week of football season contains a Christmas-tree light flashing headline. But is there always something going on?
Absolutely.
Every now and again, this column just likes throw a little of everything at you, and isn’t that easier and more fun when you don’t have the time to sit down and get absorbed in something? My fellow bathroom readers know what I’m talking about.
That will do for an intro – let’s dive in.
MARYLAND WEEKEND IS…HOMECOMING?
Yep.
After three home games to open the season and a trip
to East Lansing, it is already time for homecoming this weekend. And, of course, I jumped in and poked fun at this in the weekly HT Watch/Listen column.
But I took a second look and realized something.
The next Homecoming option would be the return home after the trip to Eugene to face the Ducks. However, that’s Halloween and we’ve already committed to the Our Red Burns Brighter night against Washington and, hopefully, the students looking like this. Yeah, it’s a pipe dream, but just think about it.
Anyway, with the Iowa game on the road to finish out this season, that leaves only one more slot – Nov. 21 against Ohio State. Not exactly the top choice of opponents on whom to count on for a victory over after the king and queen are crowned.
So, here are sincere apologies to the all admins involved for my mockery – Maryland was truly the top choice.
A Few Thoughts on Maryland Weekend
- Which Maryland will we see? The one who just got shellacked by UCLA? Or the one who fought back late in a 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech? No matter, after the latter game, anything less than a convincing win Saturday will leave some currently happy fans grumbling.
- Which should matter zero to the players. They just need to stay focused and TCOB.
- As far as the two big injuries, I expect Jamal Rule to sit this one out – RB is obviously a deep room – and Jacory Barney to play, because he wears a single-digit number for a reason and it may come to him being held down and strapped to a gurney a la Hannibal Lector to keep him off the field.
- Real quick, here are my favorite five stories of Husker Football 2026 so far – in no particular order:
- 1) Anthony Colandrea playing as well as advertised so far – and more. The scrambling was expected. The missile-like velocity coupled with touch such as the 44-yard TD to Kwazi Gilmer was not.
- 2) Jamal Rule bursting on the scene as a true freshman – and the almost 4 minutes of bowling talk at his first presser appearance. The tweet inviting everyone to join him at Sun Valley Lanes? 100% on his very early brand as well. He has been a joy.
- 3) Vince Genatone’s 2-TD day. What else needs be said? And there may be more left for the North Platte native in his final season.
- 4) Geep Wade and Rob Aurich. It’s VERY early, but initial returns on these two are excellent. Their toughest opponents are still in front of them, but folks like what they see so far. They may end up being Matt Rhule’s finest off-season staff changes yet.
- 5) The 2026 transfer class. 11 of the 17 occupy at least a share of the 22 starting positions.
A FEW SIGHTS FROM HUSKER SOFTBALL FALL BALL
There will be more of a write-up following the exhibition and intrasquad scrimmage season, but here’s some shots from Thursday afternoon’s live scrimmage. They also swept Kansas last Saturday with a pair of shutouts, winning 6-0 and 7-0, including 4 total HR’s, 2 by Jesse Farrell.
They will play a pair against UNO on Sunday beginning at 1pm – concessions will be open and admission is FREE.
- Let’s start off with a shot of Ohio St transfer and 2025 Freshman All-American Lorin Boutte whose 2026 season was riddled by injuries.
- And now a few clips of the new additions to the Huskers staff in 2027. Here is Lorin ringing up Alexis Jensen who hit .315 as a frosh in ‘26
- Next is southpaw hurler Faith Aragon, an NMSU transfer who went 21-10 for an Aggie team who finished 27-27.
- Finally, Lakeview’s Cali Bentz, a freshman, is name to remember. Check out her stuff here as well.
While this squad won’t be as old (17/23 upperclassmen) as the 2026 WCWS team – and no, there is no replacing Jordy Bahl – the pitching staff has actually gotten deeper with Alexis Jensen going from freshman to ace to lead the group above.
And one more tip – be ready to enjoy the freshman middle infield combo of Lucy Thompson and Shelby Southard. They are going to turn heads, as well as a large number of double plays in ’27.
A SWEEP OF #16 PENN STATE TURNS OUT TO BE EVEN MORE GRATIFYING for the #1 NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
It seems as if Texas – after 1) Steve Sarkisian’s ridiculous treatment of Holly Rowe, 2) Arch Manning and other finding an AI video of Sark slapping her hilarious and 3) on-field celebrations against Tennessee consisting of mimicking unzipping and peeing as well as wiping a hand on the crotch and smelling it – has competition from Penn State which is the true GOAT when it comes to horrifying behavior by its ranks.
The Nittany Lions, who have become the landing spot for disgruntled former Husker volleyballers, had a fan grab the bull by the longhorns when it came to crappy behavior, while being swept out like last night’s trash – which they sort of were:
And if allegations are true, this wasn’t a lone chuck-knuckle with a dry-erase board. Chants of “DUI!” also rang out from the stands as well.
If the idea was to rattle Harper Murray, it failed miserably. She led the team with 13 kills on .400 hitting and had 4 blocks and a pair of aces on the serve. She also appeared to have a couple things to say to her opponents over the course of the match.
One might think a university with Penn State’s disgusting history would try to be constantly rehabilitating their image. We’ll just keep wishing Izzy Starck well at Pittsburgh.
Some Final Thoughts
- I really do not hold Penn State in high regard. James Franklin has to feeel reborn at Virginia Tech.
- I’ve watched former Omaha North Viking Donovan Jones pull off his sack-forced fumble-fumble recovery countless times this week. How about one more?
- Even if Jamal Rule’s outlook improves, I’d strongly lean towards a weekend off and, hopefully, full recovery for Indiana. I know “Next man up!” is part of football, but I’m also a fan of, “All hands on deck!”
- Carter Nelson is designated as OUT this weekend, and please don’t let this be another long stretch of games lost to injury. Kid reportedly worked his ass off to get back behind Luke on the depth chart and deserves for good things to start happening.
- We’re just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Owen Chambliss.
- Same with Quinn Clark. The size, hands and athleticism are starting to flash – and so is the confidence.
- In Clark, could we finally have a receiver for the back corner fade – a call which generally just enrages me when made inside the opponents’ 10?
- I think fans like what they see so far, but are also still well in “show me” mode. The run of those games starts next Saturday with you know who.
GO BIG RED
