Sunday Morning Quarterback with Jay Stockwell and Bob Frady

Nebraska had the resources, the facilities, and a schedule that set up perfectly. and somehow it still slipped away. This clip breaks down the frustration from a season that should have been different, and why fans are running out of patience. From missed opportunities to bigger program-level issues, this is an honest Husker conversation about expectations, accountability, and why “next year” isn’t good enough anymore. If you’re a Nebraska fan, you’ve felt this pain before.

Nebraska football is changing, but are they changing the right things?In this episode of Sunday Morning Quarterback, Jay, Bob, and George break down everything surrounding Nebraska’s bowl matchup, recent coaching changes, and what those decisions really signal about the program’s direction.We dive into:- Why this bowl game feels like a mismatch- Nebraska choosing a system over personnel- Defensive staff changes and what they actually mean- Transfer portal uncertainty, especially at quarterback- Whether this is real progress, or the same cycle repeatingThere’s optimism. There’s frustration. And there’s a familiar feeling Nebraska fans know all too well.Go Big Red!

Iowa Postgame and Butler fired!Wow…that was quick.Iowa rolled into town and - despite the heroics of team MVP Emmett Johnson - steamrolled the Big Red 40-16. While Jay was optimistic in calling for a Big Red victory, Bob saw this coming in last week’s podcast, predicting an Iowa blowout.The game actually started well and was a 1-point game late in the 2nd quarter. A late score put Iowa up by 8 at halftime. Not great, but not insurmountable. The problem is, Nebraska is a terrible second-half team.Not counting the tomato cans from Akron and Houston Christian, Nebraska was outscored 138-82 this season in the second half. The only two times they scored more than an opponent were the Michigan State and Northwestern games.There are really only two reasons for continually getting outscored in the second half. The first (and most obvious) is the lack of halftime adjustments by the coaching staff - time after time SMQ seemed to see a light switch go off with other teams that said “here’s how we’re going to beat them and they’re powerless to stop us.” The second reason is that the team is out of shape and gets worn down. With the advent of the 3-minute break on timeouts, you would think this is a lesser concern…but who knows.The end result? Embarrassment, combined with a serious re-thinking of Coach Rhule’s extension.While we were busy licking our wounds and wondering what was going to happen, Coach Rhule dropped a bomb and fired defensive coordinator John Butler. In a world where things move fast, THAT was fast. Whenever you make such a big decision, it begs one question: Did Rhule know that he was going to do this before the game? As business guys, Bob and Jay know that “knee-jerk” decisions aren’t really so knee-jerk.The next question is, what other dominoes are going to fall? While TJ Lateef did his best to run the offense, the Huskers went from over 25 points a game with Raiola (not counting the tomato cans) to only 18 with Lateef (and 13 in the last two games.) To be fair to Butler, if your offense can’t score, you’re already behind the defensive 8-ball.At SMQ, we think the problem is one of philosophy - we keep bringing in JV offensive and defensive philosophies into the Big 10. For the defense, we bring in a Pro-style defense that protects the pass first…while teams maul the Huskers in the run game. For the offense, we have long, long, long-developing plays that lack the speed needed to win in the Big 10.Letting Butler go is a good first step. The big question is - what happens next?

SUNDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: The “Corn Supremacy” EditionNebraska rebounds and defeats Iowa 21-14.Black Friday in Lincoln has always carried its own electricity, but this year’s Heroes Game feels especially charged. Nebraska sits at 7–4, coming off a humbling 37–10 loss at Penn State, licking wounds and reevaluating identity. Yet here come the Iowa Hawkeyes, the annual reminder that while both states grow corn, only one grows the kind people actually want to eat. Nebraska’s is sweet, golden, and worthy of a Thanksgiving table. Iowa’s… well, it looks like it was grown in a ditch beside a fireworks stand and tastes like gravelThis week marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nebraska football. With Dylan Raiola sidelined for the season and recovering from a fractured fibula, the offense now belongs to T.J. Lateef. The freshman brings California cool, but Black Friday in Lincoln demands something more elemental, grit that cuts through cold winds and pressure-filled drives. The question isn’t whether Lateef has talent. It’s whether he can shoulder the weight of a rivalry defined by razor-thin margins and emotional swings that carry through the entire offseason.If Lateef is going to succeed, he’ll need help from the most dependable unit on the team: the ground game. The Law Firm of Johnson, Nelson & Ives must be open for business from the opening whistle. Emmett Johnson has been the workhorse, but this is a game that demands depth and physicality. Mekhi Nelson and Kwinten Ives can spell him with the kind of complementary styles that challenge even Iowa’s famously stubborn front. Establishing the run does more than control the clock, it unlocks Lateef’s play-action ability and gives threats like Dane Key and Jacory Barney Jr. the downfield opportunities that Iowa hates to defend. Oh and let’s not forget about the tight ends. SMQ has been calling for the tight ends for weeks.On the defensive side, the Blackshirts must rediscover their bite. Without Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher after their departures to the pros, the burden shifts to Cameron Lenhardt and Elijah Jeudy to impose themselves at the line of scrimmage. Marques Watson-Trent remains the emotional heartbeat of this group, a missile against the run and a disruptor in passing lanes. Iowa’s offense thrives only when opponents make mistakes. Clean football takes the Hawkeyes out of their comfort zone.Special teams could likely be the difference and Mike Ekeler will have his group ready as always, the most dependable unit on the Husker’s squad.Ultimately, this game comes down to discipline. Iowa survives on field position, turnovers, and forcing opponents into ugly football. Nebraska cannot oblige them. No giveaways. No special-teams disasters. Make Iowa earn every inch, they usually can’t.Memorial Stadium will be loud, cold, and restless. Fans are tired of Iowa’s recent success in this rivalry, tired of close losses, and tired of watching the Heroes Trophy sit on the wrong side of the river. This feels like a day when the energy of Lincoln tilts the field.In a game where style points evaporate and toughness reigns, I’m picking the Huskers to take back what’s theirs.Prediction: Nebraska 21, Iowa 14.The Heroes Trophy returns to Lincoln, and the nation is reminded once again: the good corn grows west of the Missouri.

Nebraska vs. Penn State: Saturday Night Lights, Corn vs. Mysterious Cat CreatureVegas Odds Makers have this all wrong a +9.5 for NebraskaSaturday night in Happy Valley means one thing: national television, 100,000 fans, and a showdown between two programs that both believe they’re climbing back toward Big Ten supremacy. Nebraska rolls in with momentum, toughness, and a defense that has quietly matured into one of the more disruptive units in the conference. Penn State counters with talent, speed, and of course the Nittany Lion, a mascot that continues to confuse zoologists everywhere. Is it a mountain lion? A house cat with a gym membership? A taxidermy project gone wrong? No one really knows. But he’ll be there, leaping awkwardly and doing that single-paw flex he loves so much.Nebraska arrives with a swagger we haven’t seen in years, and a big chunk of that starts with TJ Lateef, the California-cool quarterback who plays like he’s ordering acai bowls between drives. Lateef has settled into the offense with surprising calm, reading defenses, making smart throws, and keeping plays alive with his legs. He’s not rattled by the moment, the noise, or the fact that a grown man in a furry lion suit is going to be screaming at him from six feet away. TJ’s seen weirder things in Los Angeles.Next to him is the engine of the offense, Emmett Johnson, the best running back in the Big Ten and the human embodiment of “we’re gonna keep running it and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.” If Emmett hits the second level, call your insurance agent because someone’s about to file a claim. Penn State’s linebackers may be fast but fast doesn't matter when you’re meeting a man who treats arm tackles like minor inconveniences and/or speed bumps on the highway to the end zone.Penn State’s defense will throw athletes at Nebraska, but this isn’t the old Huskers offense. This version has rhythm, purpose, and a nasty streak. And defensively, Nebraska is built for this kind of game. The Blackshirts have been punching offensive lines in the mouth all year, and they’d love nothing more than to turn the Nittany Lion into a nervous house cat by halftime.And speaking of the Lion, look, if that creature showed up on your porch at night, you wouldn’t run. You’d hand it a bowl of milk and call animal control. Meanwhile, real corn feeds nations, feeds livestock, and feeds victory. Corn is currency. Corn is power.Prediction: Under national-television lights, Nebraska leans on Lateef’s poise and Emmett’s relentless motor.Huskers 27, Penn State 23.

Swimming pools, movie stars, and VICTORYThe Big Red brings an old-fashioned Big 10 offense to Pasadena to come away with the victory!The Big Red flew into Los Angeles after last week’s defeat to USC at a pivotal point. Without Dylan Raiola - and facing a resurgent UCLA team - would the Huskers have what it took to shake off the loss? Would true freshman TJ Lateef be able to survive behind a porous offensive line? Would we win enough games to go a warm-weather bowl game?For 2+ seasons, the team at SMQ has been screaming for (1) POUND THE ROCK, (2) quick crossing patterns, and (3) 4-5 TE passes per game. You know, BIG TEN FOOTBALL! It turns out that Meatloaf was right - “two outta three ain’t bad.”SMQ has strong feelings for the UCLA game plan. While the final score was 28-21, the real final score was a resounding 39-15! THIRTY-NINE runs against 15 passes. At one point, we even said “maybe they should take a shot downfield!” The Huskers were a study in ball control. Emmett Johnson was a workhorse with 28 carries and TJ Lateef showed just enough speed to keep UCLA’s defense on their heels. The passing game was crossing routes and screens that got the ball out of Lateef’s hands quickly and efficiently.Against all odds, we even saw the inclusion of a WHEEL ROUTE, which SMQ has been screaming about all year! What happens? Touchdown!One thing you didn’t hear about this game? Complaints about the offensive line. While our TE’s didn’t have a catch, they provided power in the running game with multiple “heavy” sets. The Big Red opened lanes for Johnson to let the Huskers “pound the rock and eat the clock.”Lateef was decisive with his runs and finished 13-15 in passing. The kid can play. Being back home could have been a challenge but the Big Red faithful filled the stands and were loud and proud for the Huskers.The result? Victory! 7-3 is a nice place to be.

Sunday Morning Quarterback – Nebraska vs. UCLA: Corn vs. Anthropomorphic BearsHuskers will thrive with TJ Latiff and Emmett Johnson emerging as a new dynamic duo in the Big 10.Saturday night under the lights at the Rose Bowl, Nebraska marches into Pasadena for a fist fight without their leader Dylan Raiola. UCLA may have the palm trees, the sunshine, and a few anthropomorphic bear mascots, but Nebraska has something far more real, a team built on grit, growth, and good old-fashioned corn-fed toughness with the league’s best running back, Emmet Johnson and a new quarterback TJ Lateef, who is very comfortable in California. This is a dynamic duo that has the potential for a record night.Let’s start with the obvious: Bruins aren’t real (mostly in children’s fables). Corn is. You can feed your family with corn. You can power your car with corn. Heck, you can even brew a little something from it for after the game. Meanwhile, try to find a real-life bruin wandering around Los Angeles, you’re more likely to run into a TikTok influencer in a retro jersey. Advantage: Corn.This game is about more than mascots and metaphors, though. It’s about identity. Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers are at a crossroads with a new quarterback. The defense has found its rhythm in the secondary, but the trenches are concerning. Will TJ Lateef have a breakout game or wilt under the lights? SMQ predicts a breakout game.On the other sideline, UCLA’s high-octane offense can score in bunches, but their line play has been shaky against physical teams. If the Blackshirts can contain the edges and force UCLA into long third downs, the “Corn Curtain” could turn the Rose Bowl into a long night for the blue and gold.SMQ predicts that for Jerry Neuheisel it will not be a great day to be a Bruin. Nico Lamaleava will be pressured and contained. Matt Rhule will emerge from this crossroads with a victory and continue year three of his rebuild with momentum heading into Thanksgiving.Prediction: Nebraska 21, UCLA 14.Corn is greater than Bears all day every day.

Nebraska throws victory into the jaws of defeat against the worst coach in the Big 10The Big Red start hot but fail down the stretch. Plus, why do we hate our tight ends so much?It was Blackout Night in Lincoln. The crowd was pumped. The team came out firing. Our offense finally got the message and began the game by pounding the rock. Emmett Johnson - one of the two best backs in the Big 10 - turned in an Ahman Green-type performance with 29 (!) carries for 167 yards and a touchdown, the most number of carries since Roy Helu toted the football 28 times against Missouri in 2010.The result? USC spent a lot of time grasping hand-warmers and tossing bad passes. At halftime the Cornhuskers led, 14-6. There was joy in Lincoln.Then came the dreaded halftime adjustment. USC outscored the Huskers 15-3 in the second half. This, despite facing quite possibly the worst big-game coach still employed in th Big 10 - Lincoln Riley. He needed an extremely fortunate trick play to get USC back into the game, when all they really had to do was run the ball over and over - as Nebraska could not stop the run. Dylan Raiola did what he could to keep Nebraska pointed in the right direction until he got crushed on a sack and broke his leg. His injury - combined with a prior injury to Elijah Pritchett - meant that the Huskers would have some real challenges matriculating the ball down the field.If you really think that Nebraska has a leaky offensive line, then there’s an antidote that Nebraska firmly refuses to take - the 5-yard pass to the tight end. For three seasons, we’ve watched long-developing plays turn into sacks (and now, a broken leg) and this game was no exception. While you might want to blame Holgerson, the fact that it’s spanned two OC’s puts the blame squarely on Coach Ruhle.It seems like it would be easier to find someone in the witness protection program than to find a Nebraska tight end. While SMQ appreciates the fact that being an OC is tough, we also know that throwing a 5-yarder to a tight end is way easier than a 20-yarder to a wide receiver - especially when it’s windy and cold.Enter TJ Lateef, the dual-threat freshman from California. The coaching staff seemed to strap him with an ultra-conservative game plan, including NOT going for it on 4th and 1, taking a highly questionable timeout, then missing the field goal. Even if they had ran the play and failed, it would probably not have been a worse outcome than what actually happened. The kid has a cannon. Let him eat.Overall, Nebraska threw victory into the jaws of defeat, primarily because of coaching and an offensive philosophy that continues to ignore the realities of playing in Memorial Stadium. Here’s hoping that light dawns on the staff sooner rather than later.

USC invades Lincoln!Was the Minnesota game an aberration - we’ll find out soon!Here we go with the kickoff of a “Former Pac-10 Back-to-Back” set of games. First up? The Trojans of USC.Lincoln Riley is a whiz at recruiting and developing quarterbacks. Winning tough road games? That might be another matter.USC comes to town with a high-powered offense and a low-powered defense. Will they score points? Of course - they’re a Ferrari on offense. Will they give up points? They’re a Ferrari on snow on defense.USC’s biggest enemy in this game might be…the airplane. The last two times they’re ventured east from the warm climate, sandy beaches, and mind-numbing traffic of Southern California, they’ve come up losers and given up 34 points. Here’s hoping for a three-peat!USC’s second worst enemy might be…the weather. It’s in the 80’s this week in LA but kickoff should be somewhere in the mid-40’s in Lincoln. While no self-respecting Husker fan would consider that to be cold, the thin-skinned West Coasters might be getting more than a little chill AND have a terrible case of the winds.The plan for Nebraska? Try not to turn this into a track meet. Control the rock and the clock. Will they be able to resist winging it at every turn? Doubtful.This is Nebraska’s “stake in the ground” game for the rest of the season. Are the Huskers tough enough to beat a ranked team? Will their “Blackout” uniforms provide the perfect antidote for the “Surrender Whites?” Will the denizens of the University of Spoiled Children be able to handle the cold? We shall see!USC - 33Nebraska - 34

Huskers were embarrassing in Minnesota: 9 sacks and no touchdowns.Matt Rhule to Penn State suffers a fatal blow. PJ Fleck deserves more consideration than Matt Rhule.Friday night in Minneapolis, the Nebraska Cornhuskers under Matt Rhule ran into a buzz saw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and walked off the field 24 to 6 wondering how it could go so wrong. Early on, Nebraska appeared to have its bearings with two long drives and respectable field position, but instead of touchdowns the Huskers settled for field goals. That first red zone stumble foreshadowed the disaster to come.Minnesota brought relentless pressure, and Nebraska’s offensive line folded. Nine sacks allowed, a school record for Minnesota in this rivalry. Quarterback Dylan Raiola was hurried, flushed, hit, and harassed all night long. Combine that with the loss of two offensive linemen, guard Rocco Spindler to a broken finger and tackle Elijah Pritchett ejected for targeting, and you had a recipe for chaos.What makes this one sting even more was the short week after the Maryland game, limiting preparation time, and the swirling rumors about Rhule’s candidacy for the Penn State job that didn’t exactly help keep the focus razor sharp. The sideline chatter made a difference.Critically, Nebraska didn’t score a touchdown. Not one. For the first time in the Matt Rhule era, the Huskers went an entire game without finding the end zone. Two field goals, a hushed locker room, and the palpable sense of a program stumbling. On the flip side, Minnesota executed perfectly, including a 98-yard, 14 play drive in the third quarter. Their backs ran with purpose, and the Gophers punched through Nebraska’s front seven and pride.Nebraska had the talent on paper. Unfortunately, the game is played on grass. They can rush, they can pass, they’ve got the big recruits. But when the game got nasty, when Minnesota decided to make it a trench fight, the Huskers wilted. The narrative now isn’t just “we lost.” It’s “we got embarrassed.” And given the fact that rumors about Rhule’s future hovered all week, one wonders if the head coach was mentally checking the calendar instead of the tape.To borrow from Carl Spackler, Nebraska came in with a license to kill Gophers but instead managed to shoot themselves in the foot. The Huskers had the targets lined up, the motivation in place, and every reason to make a statement, yet they fumbled the opportunity in spectacular fashion. Now the question remains: can Nebraska bounce back and show up for Northwestern next week, or is this unraveling the start of something deeper? Because if you surrender nine sacks and fail to score a touchdown, you’re not just off, you’re lost.Matt Rhule needs to drop the podcast, cancel the Pat McAfee appearances, drop the special uniforms, skip the hair salon and eat some junk food. Then take Mike Ekeler to lunch and ask him how to just focus on being a great football coach. Rhule forgot about that this week, and his team paid the price. Consequently, Husker Nation has more questions than answers. Hopefully the Northwestern game fills in the blanks for the most loyal fan base in college football.

Big November Tests Await After Huskers Take Care of Business vs. Upstart NorthwesternCommitment to the run and 4th quarter situational excellence carry the day.On a crisp fall evening in Lincoln, Nebraska showed grit, discipline, and timely execution in a 28–21 victory over Northwestern. The win pushed the Cornhuskers to 6-2 on the season and reestablished their momentum heading into the back half of the Big Ten schedule.First Half: Slow Grind and Defensive BattleBoth teams opened with strong defensive efforts. Nebraska struck first midway through the first quarter when running back Emmett Johnson capped a 69-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run to give the Huskers a 7–0 lead. Northwestern responded with a pair of Jack Olsen field goals, one from 40 yards and another from 25, after stalling deep in Nebraska territory. The Wildcats’ ground game, anchored by running back Caleb Komolafe, found some rhythm, but the Husker defense tightened when it mattered most. Nebraska took a narrow 7–6 lead into halftime.Third Quarter: Momentum Turns RedThe second half started with a thunderbolt. Nebraska’s return man Kenneth Williams took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house, igniting Memorial Stadium and putting the Huskers ahead 14–6. Moments later, quarterback Dylan Raiola found receiver Nyziah Hunter on a 12-yard touchdown pass after a Northwestern turnover, pushing the lead to 21–6. The Wildcats fought back late in the quarter with a four-yard scoring run by Komolafe to trim the deficit to 21–13, setting up a tense final period.Fourth Quarter: Northwestern Surges, Nebraska RespondsNorthwestern found life early in the fourth when Komolafe broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Preston Stone hit Hayden Eligon II for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 21 with just over 11 minutes remaining. But Nebraska refused to fold. Raiola calmly led a 13-play, 64-yard drive, converting four third downs along the way. Johnson finished it off with a four-yard touchdown run to put the Huskers back in front 28–21. The defense took it from there, forcing a turnover on downs in the closing minute to secure the win.Game NotesJohnson led Nebraska with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Raiola showed poise in key moments. Komolafe paced Northwestern with 125 yards on the ground and two scores. The special teams touchdown by Williams proved to be the difference.Nebraska’s ability to finish drives, control the fourth quarter, and deliver on special teams underscored a team maturing under Matt Rhule, one that now sits firmly in the Big Ten title hunt as USC comes knocking.

Nebraska vs Northwestern PregameTwo weeks ago, the fans of the then-mighty Cornhuskers were flying high and ready to take on any and all comers in the Big 10.It's amazing the difference a week makes.After last week’s pantsing by Minnesota, the Huskers now face a must-win game against the Wildcats of Northwestern. Two weeks ago, Husker fans would have predicted this game would be a blowout. Today…Nebraska fans stand at the edge of a dark and foreboding abyss – the “we’ve been here before and it stinks” chasm.Alternatively, maybe it was just a stinker of a day. in the words of renowned philosopher Hannah Montana, "Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days." It happens.One good thing for the Big Red? Northwestern has had zero sacks in its last two victories. Then again, we also thought that Minnesota had a bad pass rush!The coaching staff has to dig deep and come up with a solid game plan to defeat the suddenly resurgent Wildcats. As we’ve seen with both Indiana and UCLA, it’s the coaching that makes all the difference between winning and losing football. Here's the most perplexing question of all about last week's shellacking...How did one of the top two backs in the Big 10 - Minneapolis native Emmett Johnson - only manage to get 14 carries for the entire game? Husker fans know that pounding the rock is the key to winning in the wild and windy Big 10 – SMQ is starting to wonder (actually, we've been wondering for the last two seasons) if that fact is lost on the current coaching staff.Will they finally commit to the run game? Will they have more safety-valve plays to the tight end or quick-release passing plays? Or will they insist on doubling down with a slow-developing pass game that gets Dylan Raiola knocked on his butt NINE times in one game? Without a better plan, things might look grim for the Big Red.We were at the Minnesota game and watched the bad offensive game plan unfold in front of us. We are keeping the faith that the Huskers will right the ship and emerge victorious in this suddenly critical game. However, we’re WAY less optimistic than we were two weeks ago – we’re not touching the point spread or the over.  Here’s hoping that the Huskers regain their winning ways.After all, Nobody's Perfect.Nebraska 21, Northwestern 17.

Sunday Morning Quarterback – Nebraska vs. Minnesota: License to Kill GophersHuskers to end a five-year Losing streak! Nebraska vs. Minnesota — Friday night lights, revenge on the line. Can the Huskers finally end a five-year drought and take back the North?Matt Rhule’s squad rolls into Minneapolis ready to exterminate some Gophers. Dylan Raiola leads the charge — 73% passing, 1,591 yards, 16 TDs — with weapons Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and Dane Key lighting up defenses. Emmett Johnson powers the ground game with 650 yards and seven scores.Nebraska’s defense? Elite. Top in passing yards allowed, near the top in total defense. The only question: can they stop the run?It’s grit vs. growth, patience vs. potential. But this feels like Nebraska’s night.Prediction: Nebraska 31, Minnesota 17. License renewed. Gophers exterminated.

It was the messiest of wins, it was the mightiest of comebacks.From turnovers to triumph, Nebraska earned it the hard way — and SMQ says this one was EARNED. AGAIN.The backdrop: Nebraska, riding a 4–1 record, rolled into College Park as underdogs to some, favorites to others. But Jay, Bob, and the faithful in the SMQ cornfield believed this was Nebraska’s for the taking. The plan was simple: feed Emmett Johnson, let Dylan Raiola play within himself, and dare Maryland to stop the run. As predicted in the preview, the Terps’ defense roared early — but the question was, could they last?First Half: A back-and-forth circusNebraska struck early. A 64-yard catch-and-run from Raiola to Nyziah Hunter set the tone — this wasn’t going to be a slog. Maryland answered quickly: Nolan Ray broke free for a 28-yard score, then a Raiola fumble gave Washington a short field, and Leon Haughton Jr. made it hurt.But the Huskers hit back on special teams. Kenneth Williams ripped off an 85-yard return to the Maryland 10, Raiola found Lindenmeyer, and two plays later Hunter hauled in a 12-yard strike. Nebraska up 24–14 — until Maryland clawed back with a late field goal, 24–17 at the half. It was clear this one would come down to whoever had the ball last.Third Quarter: Maryland seizes controlMomentum flipped hard. The Terps opened with a 75-yard drive capped by DeJuan Williams’ score to tie it. Then came the gut punch: Raiola’s third interception, returned 67 yards by Dontay Joyner for a Maryland pick-six. Suddenly it was 31–24, and the ghosts of Husker collapses past crept in.Fourth Quarter: Dial it up, babyThis was the stuff legends are made of. Nebraska refused to blink. Emmett Johnson broke loose for 50 yards to set up a field goal, trimming it to 31–27. Then came the drive of the season — 81 yards in seven plays. Raiola completed 4 of 5 passes, including a 23-yarder to Lindenmeyer, a 33-yard bomb to Hunter, and the go-ahead 3-yard TD to Dane Key with 1:08 left.Maryland’s final possession ended with an intentional grounding call and a broken-up fourth-down pass. Nebraska held, 34–31.Takeaways:Raiola: Three interceptions would sideline most quarterbacks, but he bounced back. Under pressure, he hit big throws and finished 20 of 29 for 260 yards and four touchdowns. Grit over panic.Emmett Johnson: SMQ wanted more Emmett, and he delivered — 21 carries for 176 yards, including that clutch 50-yarder that reignited the comeback.Defense & scheme: They gave up 379 yards but bent, never broke. When it mattered most, they shut down Maryland’s rhythm and protected the lead.Coaching & identity: Matt Rhule keeps talking about “pressure inoculation.” This was another dose — two straight one-score wins. The Huskers are learning to finish.Still unresolved: Turnovers remain the Achilles’ heel. Three picks nearly flipped the game, and that edge won’t hold against top Big Ten opponents. But for now, it’s enough — because this team believes.This was Nebraska football in its rawest form — messy, dramatic, and powered by heart. Jay would call it a turning point. Bob would smirk (because he saw it coming). And George? He’d say if the Huskers can clean up the rough edges, they’re not just playoff pretenders — they’re a team you bet on.Sunday Morning Quarterback, in three words: EARNED. AGAIN.

READY THE ROAD CREW — THE BIG RED IS ROLLIN’ EAST!Can Nebraska keep the fire burning on the road? SMQ says: absolutely!The Huskers are hittin’ the highway for a two-week road trip, and the first stop is College Park. Four-and-one. Confidence high. Kool-Aid supply fully stocked. The vibes? Immaculate. The mission? Simple — silence the Terrapins and prove that Nebraska travels just as well as it celebrates at home.Maryland’s a curious case. They look shiny on paper — 19 sacks, freshman QB Malik Washington, a defense that bites. But scratch the surface and it’s a different story. Up 20–0 on Washington… and lost 24–20. Oof. A stat like that says it all: talented, sure, but not yet battle-tested.SMQ’s George called it: “A battle of the lines.” He’s not wrong. The Terrapins’ pass rush is real, but Nebraska’s got the antidote — a sharper Dylan Raiola, a more balanced playbook, and a little something called momentum. Last week’s sack-fest taught this team lessons that stick. Holgerson and Raiola both said it — not every sack is on the O-line. Sometimes it’s play design, sometimes it’s timing, sometimes it’s experience. And experience is growing fast in Lincoln.Jay’s got faith. Bob’s got swagger. And the whole crew agrees: Nebraska’s special teams and secondary are elite — and those travel well.Maryland’s defense might roar early, but they can’t run, and that’s trouble. Nebraska’s biggest weakness has always been the mobile quarterback — and the Terrapins don’t have one. Translation: the Huskers can pin their ears back and let it rip.We’ve got the law firm of Johnson, Nelson, and Ives ready to clock in. Feed Emmett early and often. Let Dylan cook from a clean(er) pocket. Bubble screens, quick slants, and a little play-action spice — that’s the recipe. And when it hits? The scoreboard’s gonna light up like Memorial Stadium in prime time. Vegas has Nebraska favored by five and a half. We say that’s disrespectful. The over’s creeping up. We say it’s not high enough. Because this isn’t just another Saturday. It’s a statement Saturday.Prediction: Nebraska 34, Maryland 21.(Because we’re polite — but we think it’ll be more.)The Big Red is about to roll through College Park like a corn-fed freight train. The Terrapins might crawl out of their shells… but they won’t like what’s coming. Go Big Red!Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.

It was the best of games, it was the worst of games. Talk about a game with two different faces!The first wave on the “Michigan Invasion” ended in heartbreak for the Big Red. The second wave? Despite pitching and rolling like a plane in a thunderstorm, the Huskers emerged victorious with a 38-21 victory over the Spartans of Michigan State.First Quarter: Dylan Raiola looked calm, collected, flipping passes downfield, stretching the Spartan defense like taffy. Receivers beat press coverage, found gaps, and the Spartans looked helpless. After an Emmitt Johnson touchdown, the Husker special teams did their thing and blocked a punt - resulting in a scoop and score for a 14-0 lead. Bob and Jay (who were predicting a big day for the Huskers) turned to each other and said “this might be a little easier than we thought!” Oh, optimism, you are such a fickle beast!Second Quarter: To (almost) quote Bob Seger, “we’re still (passing) against the wind.” Against all forms of common sense, the Huskers largely abandoned the ground game and tried passing against a stiff 30-40 mph breeze. From there, the game unraveled into the…Third Quarter: What looked like a blowout suddenly found the Huskers down 21-14! What happened? The backslide brought memories of game after game that Nebraska has dropped over the last several years. Fortunately, Raiola completed a long pass off a scramble and Emmitt ran it in again (THAT’S HOW YOU BEAT THE WIND!!) to knot the score at 21 going into the…Fourth Quarter: Once they had the wind at their backs, the Huskers attacked, dropping 17 straight points and letting all Husker fans breathe a tremendous sigh of relief! The Spartans scored a late touchdown that only did one thing - it made sure that SMQ would not get the correct score for the 4th time in 5 games!Final Score & Takeaways: Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27. It was closer than it appeared, yet also further than it appeared…it was that sort of game. It was a game we would have probably dropped in the past. But not this year!While there’s a lot to pick on, the fact is the team showed fight and resilience to pull victory from the jaws of defeat! Go Big Red!Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

STAND BACK! WE DON’T KNOW HOW BIG THIS THING COULD GET!!!Is Nebraska primed to keep piling up the points? SMQ thinks so!The SMQ crew is fired up and the Kool-Aid is flowing! Saturday afternoon, the Spartans roll into Lincoln for a showdown with Nebraska, and the only real question is: will the Huskers win by a little…or by a lot?Last game’s stumble against Michigan left scars, but it also left a burning itch for redemption. This isn’t the same script. Michigan State isn’t Michigan, and Nebraska isn’t about to let another one slip at home. Unlike the Wolverines, the Spartans bring the nation’s 116th-ranked pass defense to Memorial Stadium — and that’s the kind of stat that makes SMQ’s eyes go wide. Someone’s gonna feast and it won’t be the Spartans.Dylan Raiola has been steady to great this season and this matchup screams a high completion rate, lot ‘o yards, and TD’s galore!! Nebraska’s line will give him the time and the vertical shots will be there all game long. Expect the Huskers’ receivers to stretch the field, exploit mismatches, and turn the secondary into Swiss cheese.The oddsmakers have installed the Huskers an 11.5 point favorite. We think that’s low. The over has jumped from 48.5 to 50.5. We also think that’s low. How far we’ve come in one season where all we could do was pick the under!We’re not just sipping the Kool-Aid — we’re guzzling it by the gallon. Over, points, confidence, swagger: give us all of it.Prediction: Nebraska 37, Michigan State 21 (because we’re nice - we think it’ll be more.)A whoopin’ is coming, and the Spartans are the unlucky ones holding the short end of the corn stalk.Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

Nebraska Falls Short to Michigan, 30–27, in Gut-Wrenching Big Ten OpenerSMQ Team Travels to Nebraska for Michigan Win. While disappointed hope still springs eternal in Matt Rhule’s third season.Nebraska let another golden opportunity slip away on Saturday, falling 30–27 to No. 21 Michigan in front of a raucous Memorial Stadium crowd. Despite flashes of brilliance from quarterback Dylan Raiola, the Huskers couldn’t overcome poor protection, a nonexistent run game, and late-game execution issues, poor tackling and ineffectual coaching failing to make necessary adjustments in all three phases of the game.The first half gave fans reason to believe. Michigan jumped out to a 10–0 lead behind a field goal and a 37-yard run from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood after Nebraska failed to score in the first two possessions. But Raiola struck back, hitting Jacory Barney Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown. Justice Haynes ripped off a 75-yard scoring run to push Michigan ahead again, only for Raiola to answer with a 52-yard Hail Mary to Barney as time expired, tying the game at 17–17. At that moment optimism flowed through Memorial Stadium.Momentum shifted quickly in the second half. Michigan hit a 56-yard field goal and then sprung a 54-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall (because of a masterclass in poor tackling). Suddenly, Nebraska trailed 27–17 and was playing catch-up. A fourth-quarter field goal cut the deficit to seven, but Michigan’s grinding 16-play, 77-yard drive ate up nearly nine minutes and effectively sealed the game. Raiola’s late touchdown pass made it 30–27, but the onside kick failed, and Michigan closed it out.The box score told a clear story: Nebraska produced 351 total yards, with Raiola throwing for 308 and three touchdowns. But the running game was completely stuffed, just 43 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Worse, Raiola was sacked seven times, constantly under siege as the offensive line struggled to hold up. By contrast, Michigan dominated on the ground, piling up 286 rushing yards and two long touchdown runs that proved decisive. Nebraska was out coached failing to make necessary adjustments to address the lopsided rushing performances.The disappointment is obvious. Nebraska had its chances, from the opening red-zone miss to the inability to stop Michigan’s clock-draining march in the fourth quarter. This is the type of game the Huskers must learn to finish if they want to climb in the Big Ten.So, what needs to improve? First, the offensive line must be fixed. Seven sacks and no push in the run game is a recipe for failure, no matter how talented Raiola is. Second, the defense must tighten against explosive plays; giving up touchdowns of 75 and 54 yards simply erases too much hard work. Finally, Nebraska has to finish drives. Settling for field goals or giving away possessions has become a costly habit.Saturday showed progress, but it also highlighted how far Nebraska has to go. The pieces are there, Raiola, Barney, and a defense that fights, but until the Huskers clean up the trenches and situational football, heartbreak will continue to outweigh hope.Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.

Big Ten Statement Game Saturnday in Lincoln – Nebraska vs. MichiganSMQ will attend in person and predicts a fistfight with Nebraska coming out on top 28-24.The Big Ten spotlight shines on Lincoln this weekend as Nebraska welcomes No. 21 Michigan to Memorial Stadium in what promises to be one of the defining early-season matchups of 2025. For the Huskers, it’s a chance to prove their 3-0 start is more than just a hot opening stretch. For the Wolverines, it’s an opportunity to steady themselves after a stumble against Oklahoma and reassert their presence in the national conversation. One thing I am sure about is Archie Wilson will enter the game as a punter as a part of the number 1 special team unit in the country.Nebraska enters with confidence thanks to the emergence of Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola (backed up by TJ Lateef who would be starting anywhere else), whose poise and precision have brought stability to an offense long searching for consistency. Wide receiver Dane Key has quickly developed into his go-to weapon, stretching defenses vertically and opening space underneath. But Michigan’s defense, long known for its physicality, will be Raiola’s stiffest test yet. The Wolverines have allowed little on the ground and pride themselves on winning in the trenches. Nebraska’s offensive line will need to deliver its best performance of the season to keep the balance between run and pass intact.On the other side, Michigan is turning the page to a new era with freshman signal-caller, Bryce Underwood. A dynamic dual-threat, Underwood can hurt defenses with both his arm and his legs, though his inexperience has shown in moments under pressure. Nebraska’s defense, which has held all three opponents under 100 yards passing, will look to force the young quarterback into mistakes. Safeties Deshon Singleton and Omar Brown give the Huskers a chance to disguise coverages and bait Underwood into turnovers.The matchup may ultimately come down to which team better handles the spotlight. Nebraska has the home-field advantage in one of college football’s most intimidating venues, and Memorial Stadium’s Sea of red is hungry for a signature victory. Michigan, however, boasts superior depth and battle-tested talent across both lines of scrimmage, areas that often decide Big Ten contests.Oddsmakers have installed Michigan as a slight favorite, with the spread hovering around 2.5 points and the total set in the mid-40s. The expectation is for a tightly contested game that could swing on a single big play, whether a deep shot from Raiola, a scramble from Underwood, or a defensive stand in the fourth quarter. Here again Nebraska special teams will create the difference.For Nebraska, a win would signal a true return to national relevance advancing our cause for the college football playoff. For Michigan, it’s about proving the program’s foundation remains strong despite transition. Either way, fans should buckle up for a bruising, high-stakes showdown in Lincoln. Unfortunately, the outcome will send Michigan and Biff Poggi (a very likable Coach) on a path to the Ozempic Bowl!Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.#nebraskafootball #michiganfootball #collegefootball #bigten #huskers #goblue #cfb

Exhibition Season Is Officially Over!Huskers cruise past Houston Christian, but tougher tests loom as Big Ten play arrives.For the second week in a row, Nebraska football treated Memorial Stadium to a glorified scrimmage. The Huskers flattened Houston Christian 56–7, following up last week’s laugher over Akron with another rout that felt more like a spring game than a September showdown. Sure, Houston Christian left Lincoln with a healthy payday, but for Nebraska, it was another box checked with minimal stress.The SMQ crew couldn’t help but pose the obvious question: why not line up a good FCS team? North Dakota? South Dakota State? At least keep that money in the Midwest and give Husker fans something resembling competition.The schedule is what it is and the Huskers did what good teams do - they beat the pants off an overmatched opponent while playing nearly everyone on the squad. The win moved the Huskers to 3–0, and while the strength of schedule hasn’t turned any heads yet, the team has avoided the pratfalls that doomed seasons past - I’m looking at you, Mister Onside Kick!Dylan Raiola once again was impressive, passing Tommie Frazier for 9th place on the Nebraska all-time passing yardage list with 222 yards in one half of work. TJ Lateef got the attention of quarterback-hungry teams with his second consecutive stellar relief appearance. If they’re not backing up the truck loaded with NIL money for TJ…they should.Emmett Johnson is stepping nicely into the RB1 role, while Kwinten Ives chipped in with 121 total yards of offense and a score. The question of the week from the SMQ team became “how many times in a row can the same person yell GO BIG RED?” Jay thinks it’s only once, while Bob thinks that more than 3 in a row is a bit much….but that the real answer is “as long as someone is responding.”The bigger takeaway? Nebraska is already one-quarter of the way through the regular season, sitting undefeated and untested. That’s not a bad place to be. But it also means the cupcakes are gone, and the real season begins now. If the Huskers want to prove they’re more than a paper tiger, they’ll need to dominate teams that actually punch back.It’s time to see if the Huskers are more like Jake Paul or Bud Crawford. Let’s GO BIG RED!!Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. #nebraskafootball #bigtenfootball #collegefootball #gobigred