Husker Doc Talk

Nebraska still has a lot of the season left, but 2026 is already starting to look very different for the Huskers.  For the first time since 2016, Nebraska went unbeaten in September. The Huskers improved to 4-0 last Saturday with a 31-13 win at Michigan State. It's also the first time since 2019 that Nebraska won its Big 10 Conference opener. It may not seem like much, but for a fan base looking for a return to relevance, it's a big deal.  On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice dive into the win over the Spartans and look ahead to what is possible for Nebraska as the season moves along. Does this team have a ceiling? The Huskers forced three turnovers against Michigan State. Those takeaways were a big reason the scoreboard made the game look like a blowout. But it also sparked a deep conversation on turnovers. Dr. Rob breaks down the difference between a takeaway and a giveaway. Most fans, even media members, see turnovers as just that: turnovers. But Dr. Rob, being the philosophical man that he is, says there is a huge difference. In addition to forcing three turnovers, the Nebraska defense recorded six sacks against the Spartans for a 50-yard loss. Michigan State was held to a net 39 yards rushing. Both Dr. Rob and Travis expect the Huskers to improve to 5-0 on Saturday when they play Maryland at home. Maryland got beat at home last week, 54-3 by UCLA. The Terrapins turned the ball over five times, including four interceptions. Their Head Coach, Mike Locksley, is on the hot seat. Locksley is 39-51 as Maryland's Head Coach, including a 17-49 Big Ten Record. One reason he hasn't been fired yet is that he still has $20 million remaining on his contract, which runs through 2028, but he'd be owed only $9.2 million if they fire him before December 31, according to USA Today.  If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: Strategic Solutions The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride year-round. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Nebraska is in a familiar place, 3-0 after the first three non-conference games of the season for the third straight year. The Huskers beat North Dakota 34-7 last Saturday. Three straight 3-0 non-conference games is the Huskers' longest streak since 1997-2001.  On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka look back at Nebraska’s latest win. The offense was impressive: 493 yards, including 277 on the ground. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea continues to impress: 15-of-21 passing, 195 yards and a touchdown. The transfer also rushed four times for 19 yards and a touchdown.  Building momentum for what's to come, freshman running back Jamal Rule is solidifying himself as the number one running back: 15 carries, 119 yards and two touchdowns. Rule's longest run from scrimmage was a 55-yard touchdown in the third quarter that put Nebraska up 24-0. Maybe the most impressive part of the win over North Dakota was the defense. Sure, North Dakota is an FCS team, but it is one of the best in that division and came into the game with a high-powered offense. The Blackshirts sacked Jerry Kaminski five times. The Fighting Hawks could only muster 205 total yards, more than 300 yards below their season average.  Do we really know how good Nebraska is? The short answer is no. We only say this because of the level of competition they've faced so far. The first real test comes on Saturday when the Huskers go on the road for the first time and open up Big Ten Conference play at Michigan State.  The Spartans are 2-1 on the season; they lost last Saturday at Notre Dame, 27-10. The score suggests the game was closer than most people thought. The stat sheet tells a different story. But we all know the only thing that matters is the final score. Michigan State is coached by Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern Coach. Fitzgerald is 6-6 against Nebraska. His last win against the Big Red was in 2022, 31-28 in a game played in Dublin, Ireland.  Michigan State has won two of the last three games with the Huskers; Nebraska hasn’t won in East Lansing since 2012.  Is this a MUST win for the Huskers? That’s a strong way to put it, and a loss wouldn’t be the end of the world. But a win would mean Nebraska has passed its first major test of the season, building even more confidence as the schedule gets tougher week by week.  If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: Strategic Solutions The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride year-round. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

On the bright side, Nebraska is 2-0 on the season with two very easy wins against teams from the MAC. The downside is this: with the inferior competition the Huskers have played so far, we really don’t know how good this team is. On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and former Husker offensive lineman Dr. Rob Zatechka take a look back at the Bowling Green game and look ahead to Saturday’s showdown with North Dakota. On paper, the numbers echo the glory days. Averaging 535 yards a game, 256 yards a game on the ground, and 53 points per game! A mobile quarterback in Anthony Colandrea who can make plays with his feet and his arm. Jamal Rule, a running back who has future All-Conference written all over him, and maybe All-American. The defense may finally be worthy of being called “The Blackshirts” again. Giving up just 28 points in two games. Bowling Green was held to just a touchdown. Is this for real, or just smoke and mirrors? How about too early to tell.  Up next is North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks are one of the best teams in FCS. Sure, they may be playing down a division, but they will most likely be the best team Nebraska has played so far this year.  North Dakota has a potent offense led by quarterback Jerry Kaminski. Kaminski has 11 touchdown passes in three games and is completing 77% of his passes. North Dakota averages 540 yards and 50 points per game. However, Nebraska will be the best team it has played this season.  North Dakota and Nebraska last played in 2022. The Huskers won 38-17. However, the game was much closer than the final score suggests. The Huskers needed two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to make the game out of reach.  Travis and Dr. Rob always have lively and somewhat thought-provoking conversations; enjoy the episode!  If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: Strategic Solutions The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Nebraska opens the season with a convincing win over Ohio, 49-21.  On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice dive deep into the game, highlighting the positives and areas for improvement for the next game. The Nebraska running game was impressive against the Bobcats. The Huskers racked up 248 yards on the ground, led by true freshman running back Jamal Rule, who carried the ball 15 times for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rule also caught a touchdown pass. Rule is the first true freshman to rush for 100+ yards since Adrian Martinez did it in 2018. He did not start the game, but his performance against Ohio was clearly the best among the running backs who played.  Anthony Colandrea had a very good debut at quarterback for Nebraska. 18-32, for 275 yards and three touchdowns. As Dr. Rob discusses in this episode, Colandrea clearly fits the Nebraska system and makes the offense run more efficiently. Nebraska did have 9 penalties in the game. Yellow flags have plagued the Huskers in the past, and if they want the season they hope to have, they need to clean up this issue.  Dr. Rob also breaks down the offensive and defensive line play; here's a hint: he was hoping for a better pass rush from the Huskers. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: Strategic Solutions The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.    

The talking is over! It's time to start playing the games. On this episode of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, Travis Justice and former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka preview the Huskers' season opener against Ohio. This is the first meeting between Nebraska and the Bobcats. Call it the Frank Solich game. Solich will receive the Legends Award from the Nebraska football Hall of Fame and be part of the coin toss. Solich was also head coach at Ohio from 2005-2020. In total, he won 173 games coaching both schools, 58 at Nebraska and 115 at Ohio. Nebraska will be looking to build early-season momentum and get its timing down with a handful of transfers. Sure, the newcomers have lots of experience, but this will be the first time playing together as a unit.  The Huskers have a good balance of returning experience to mesh with the transfers, with six returning starters on offense and six on defense.  All eyes will be on transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea. There are huge expectations on the UNLV transfer. He's started 31 games and has 8,693 total yards of offense in his career, including 7,542 passing yards. On paper, his dual-threat ability makes him a better fit for Dana Holgorsen's offense. There will be lots of new faces to watch, including the coaching staff. It's only the first game, but it could give everyone a glimpse of what is to come for Nebraska, good and bad. Also, Dr. Rob shares his predictions for the biggest surprise teams in the Big 10 this season and his potential disappointments. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: Strategic Solutions The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.