After a struggling and head scratching start to the 2026 campaign for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, they would rally to defeat the Ohio Bobcats 49-21 and will now be looking towards their next opponent, the Bowling Green Falcons out of the MAC conference. 

Led by the former 1995 Heisman Trophy winning running back Eddie George as head coach, the Falcons are hoping to wipe their slate clean after losing their season opener last Saturday against Tarleton State out of the FCS. 

The Texans of Tarleton State ran for a total of 258 yards on the Falcons defense, allowing nearly 8 yards per carry. Texans running back Tylan Hines, ran for 250 yards on 26 carries alone. 

It seemed like the Falcons were just out their guessing on defense, somewhat like what we saw from the Huskers defense on the opening play of the season last weekend. 

One could call it busted coverage, but it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Huskers cornerback Jeremiah Charles just completely zoned out on that first play. 

The Bobcats would only need three plays to score a touchdown on that opening drive, but besides that defensive blunder, the blackshirt defense was suffocating the Bobcat offense all day. 

The Huskers allowed 188 yards of total offense in the first half compared to the 115 yards they allowed in the second half, while the Huskers offense totaled 523 yards on the day.

True Freshman running back Jamal Rule stole the show for the Huskers, running for 122 yards and two touchdowns on top of his 47 receiving yards and receiving touchdown, which brings us to our first key for the Huskers this weekend. 


Key #1: Feed the Freshman

It’s not very often that you see an entire fanbase fall in love with a true freshman, especially during the middle of the season opener, but Husker fans fell in love with Rule last Saturday, shouting “RULE” every time he touched the ball, and for good reason. 

PFF College (Pro Football Focus) graded Rule as the nation's 2nd highest ranked running back in week 1, earning him BIG freshman of the week honors as well. 

Rule should be the starting running back for the Huskers until you physically have to drag him off the field, the fans and the team feed off of his energy and play, which is something we haven’t seen from a true freshman running back at Nebraska in a long time. Rule is special. 


Key #2: The Defensive Line

One of the most highly anticipated position groups for the blackshirt defense heading into this season was the defensive line, a unit that allowed 175.3 rushing yards per game a season ago.

I will give defensive coordinator Rob Aurich the benefit of the doubt for last week's performance, the blackshirts front four allowed 139 rushing yards against Ohio, but it can be said that the extremely high temperatures could’ve played a factor in that. 

The Huskers were able to record 17 pressures (12 from defensive line) and 2 sacks last Saturday, something that could have a big impact on this weekend's game. 

Although Bowling Green lost their season opener, Falcons quarterback Jay Kastantin completed 24 of his 30 pass attempts, with little to no pressure in his face. 

If the blackshirts can get after Kastantin early and often, then this game might turn into a turnover fest from the Falcons. 


Key #3: Special Teams:

The Huskers lost former special teams coach Mike Ekeler this past offseason to USC, a  move that shocked every Husker fan. 

Rhule did not elect to go out and hire a new coach for the group, instead he promoted assistant and former Husker kicker Brett Maher into the role and the result was underwhelming. 

Sophomore punter Archie Wilson didn’t look much different from a year ago, the return game was non-existent and two offside penalties from the kickoff team had to have left that unit feeling unaccomplished.  

The good thing is that we are still in non-conference play, but Maher and the Huskers have a long way to go if they want to finish in the top 15 for special teams efficiency like they did last season. 


Prediction: 

I think most of us were on the edge of our seats for quite some time last week, but I don’t think that happens this week against the Falcons. 

When you bring in a lot of transfers offensively and defensively like the Huskers did, they need to mesh and it doesn’t always happen instantly, but that's the beauty of playing non-conference games.  

Rhule and his staff will clean up the penalties, the blackshirts will force 3+ turnovers and the Huskers will have this game wrapped up by halftime. 

Nebraska: 52 Bowling Green: 7