Nebraska showed no mercy on Saturday night.
Under the Saturday night lights in Memorial Stadium, the Huskers picked up their second win of the 2026 campaign behind an all-around dominant effort. NU moves to 2-0 on the season after the 56-7 win.
“I felt like we could have done it in a more smooth fashion and dominated more than what we did,” junior wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. said.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Running backs shine again
Multiple question marks lingered around the running back room ahead of the Week 1 game against Ohio, until true freshman Jamal Rule and junior Mekhi Nelsons’ big games appeared to solidify them as a lethal one-two punch in the backfield.
That narrative stayed true on Saturday evening, as Rule and Nelson combined for 170 all-purpose yards. Rule displayed his breakaway speed on a 59-yard house call on a run up the middle. The true freshman continued his case for one of the best running backs in the Big Ten, or better.
As for Nelson, the junior from Pennsylvania ran for 48 yards on eight carries and contributed 34 yards on two catches through the air. He broke free for two plays of 20+ yards, both of which set up the offense in Bowling Green territory.
Sophomore back Isaiah Mozee also got in on the fun. Mozee ran the ball eight times for 55 yards with an added first-career touchdown. The Kansas City native registered two 10+ yard runs and averaged 6.9 yards per rush.
The Huskers’ three-headed monster doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
Barney and Gilmer have breakout games
Hello, Jacory Barney Jr. Hello, Kwazi Gilmer.
After a five-catch, 60-yard performance against Ohio, Barney broke out for a team-high 115 yards on eight catches and two touchdowns. Both of Barney’s touchdowns came in perfect stride with easy trots to the end zone. The junior was targeted 10 times and tallied 28 yards after the catch.
Gilmer, the junior transfer from UCLA, looked to be Colandrea’s go-to target last week, but dropped passes put a dent in what could’ve been a near- 100+ yard performance. However, drops weren’t an issue for Gilmer tonight. The junior made multiple tough catches in the end zone. Most notably, the Los Angeles native secured a diving catch on the right side of the end zone to give the Huskers a 35-0 lead late in the second quarter.
“Kwazi is like a true pro,” Rhule said of Gilmer postgame. “Jacory’s probably the best practice receivers I’ve been around, and Kwazi’s right there with him. He’s incessant”
Gilmer’s performance will get overshadowed by Barney’s huge day, but Gilmer is a player who made huge strides between Week 1 and Week 2.
The two’s performances couldn’t have happened without senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea’s confidence in throwing the ball through tight windows or airing the ball out 30+ yards down the field.
Chambliss returns to the defense
The Huskers got their green-dot guy back in senior linebacker Owen Chambliss.
Chambliss’ return was a major headline heading into the game. The 2025 All-MWC first-teamer missed the game against Ohio due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the offseason.
Sporting the No. 0 on the back of his jersey, Chambliss had four tackles in his first game at Memorial Stadium in the Scarlet and Cream.
“It felt amazing,” Chambliss said regarding his return to the field. “It felt amazing to step out there and play.”
Although Chambliss didn’t light up the stat sheet, his presence immediately made an impact. In a loud Memorial Stadium, Chambliss led the defense to minimal miscommunication. The Blackshirts allowed only seven points on 169 yards and dominated each phase of the game.
“Owen’s a really good player. I’ve got to see the tape to know exactly what he did well, but I’m sure it was all pretty good,” Rhule said of Chambliss postgame.
Huskers respond to early hiccup once again
Like in Week 1, the Huskers had a shaky start to the game.
After a 13-yard screen pass to Gilmer, Barney bobbled a pass that would’ve gone for a first down. Instead, Bowling Green picked it off and got the ball at its own 46-yard line after just two plays.
“I’m gonna take the blame for that; it wasn’t on (Colandrea),” Barney said. “I just gotta tuck the ball in faster.”
However, the Blackshirts responded well by sending the Falcons backwards and forcing a fourth-and-12 punt, and it was only up from there for both sides of the ball.
On the ensuing offensive drive, Colandrea and company put together a nine-play, 59-yard drive, with Colandrea capping it off by hitting Barney in stride wide open in the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown and an early lead.
“Coach Rhule talks about ‘What’s next’ a lot,” Colandrea said regarding the team’s mindset after the interception. “At the end of the day, the kid made a good play on it and stole it and had an interception.”
The Huskers scored 35 unanswered points after the early offensive mishap. Bowling Green’s offense only had two first downs and punted the ball four times in the first half.
What’s next?
NU will be back at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, against North Dakota for another late-night showdown. The game will start at 6:15 CT and will be broadcast on BTN.
Alex Berry is the Senior Sports Editor at The Daily Nebraskan. Follow him on X at @aberryy13.
