Stukenholtz: In Extreme Heat, Nebraska Cooked when it Mattered Most

LINCOLN — If you left Memorial Stadium early, I don't think anyone would blame you. I certainly won't. 95 degrees with a heat index around 105? It even reached at least 140 degrees on the turf! The heat was gross out there. Gross. You know what else was gross? The first play from scrimmage turning into a 68-yard throw to a wide-open receiver on a coverage bust. Or nine Nebraska penalties for 65 yards, more than they committed in any single game in 2025. There was a facemask to extend an Ohio field goal drive. An unnecessary blindside block to negate a long touchdown. Multiple offside fouls on kickoffs. After halftime, it didn't look any better when new Husker starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea took a big intentional grounding loss. Archie Wilson punting from inside his own 5-yard line is not what you want to see after just three plays. This after they squandered Nyziah Hunter's trademark screen before the half, blowing their chance to win the 'middle eight' segment of the game. Ohio had a chance to take the lead on a third field goal on the ensuing drive. Facing a tough field-position situation, the Blackshirts held Ohio to just 24 yards and forced a field goal attempt. It missed wide right. Nebraska responded by turning up the heat on offense. First, it was an 11-play, 73-yard drive that included a third-down conversion and a fourth-down conversion, both on the ground. Colandrea finished it off with his wheels on a 13-yard touchdown run along the sideline. Then, an 8-play, 69-yard march with a 3rd & 12 converted to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer for 15 yards. That drive also reached the end zone via the legs of Mekhi Nelson, one of three NU running backs operating in a committee – for now. The two touchdowns put Nebraska up 28-13. Even though the Bobcats scored to tighten things up again, Colandrea kept leading scoring drives, ending the game on a run of five straight possessions crossing the goal line. Right around the time Kwazi Gilmer scored the final points of the game on his 9-yard touchdown to make it 49-21, I overheard someone say, 'Remember when this was a one-score game in the fourth quarter?' As low-stress as this one finished up, it certainly could have been a tension convention. You may be one of many who were frustrated with the disjointed first half. Perhaps you thought your pessimistic priors were being confirmed before your eyes. Memorial Stadium murmurs and group texts were not as sunny as the weather. Owen Chambliss, the starting linebacker with the green dot helmet in charge of lining guys up in the Rob Aurich scheme he knows so well, missed this game due to injury (Matt Rhule said he expects him back next week). Still, they held Ohio to 303 total yards of offense, 68 of which came on the first pass play. Less than 50% of their passes were completed. Credit where credit is due. Offensively, no turnovers and 49 points is a great start. I can't recall any turnover-worthy plays, either. Colandrea used his legs at times but didn't seem overly reliant on them. There were some drops that pulled his completion percentage down to 56% on 18-of-32 passing. He was only sacked twice and ended up with a positive 23 yards rushing and a touchdown. How about that run game? With so much offseason consternation about the group of unproven backs, all they did was churn out 248 rushing yards on nearly six yards per attempt. Mekhi Nelson scored a touchdown rushing and receiving. Jamal Rule, in his first game as a true freshman, turned 17 touches into 169 total yards and three scores. That'll play. All in all, a positive performance to kick things off in 2026. I want to see Chambliss on the field and a second game jump from Colandrea. Oh, and one more thing – more of that six offensive linemen AND two defensive linemen short yardage formation, please! Best Newest first Oldest first