LINCOLN \u2014 The Red-White Spring Game returned to Lincoln in 2026, and an earlier-than-normal start meant the event concluded before the calendar could flip to April.<\/p>\n
With the offense and specialists in red and the defense in white, Nebraska officially beat Hurskers, 22-17. Confused? Don’t be. Spring game scoring doesn’t always have to make sense.<\/p>\n
For what did make sense on Saturday, here are four observations from the event.<\/p>\n
Quarterbacks<\/p>\n
Anthony Colandrea is the clear No. 1 at quarterback. His processing of the plays is lightning quick, and so is his first step when he decides to take off with his legs. As for arm strength, he pushes the ball downfield better than Dylan Raiola did the last couple of seasons.<\/p>\n
Where Colandrea runs into issues, as he did earlier in his career, is when he tries to throw back across his body as he’s running laterally. His lone interception of the game came as he was running left out of the pocket and contorted his body back to try to drop a ball to Kwazi Gilmer in a pocket between three defenders. In all honesty, Gilmer could (should?) have made the catch, but the ball popped loose for an interception by Donovan Jones.<\/p>\n
\nOne-handed snag Quinn Clark for the TD \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/9lL7lCHKB1<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
TJ Lateef appears to be the second-best QB on the roster. He played a speed that showed just how hampered he was against Iowa and in the bowl game. The issue with him being No. 2 is if Rhule and Co. want to redshirt him this season and limit his regular-season time to just the allotted four games.<\/p>\n
Daniel Kaelin’s return to Lincoln showed promise. He’s certainly behind Colandrea and Lateef at this point, especially when it comes to comparing escapability and mobility. Kaelin also had a sure-fire touchdown that fell to the ground when he severely underthrew his target.<\/p>\n
Running Backs<\/p>\n
Welcome to Lincoln, Jamal Rule. The true freshman is easily the best back of the bunch. It would be a major surprise if he isn’t listed as the No. 1 running back on the depth chart to open this fall.<\/p>\n
Rule rushed 10 times for 121 yards and a touchdown, adding one catch for 15 yards. His best run was a 75-yarder, where he found space at the line to the right and then broke for the sideline, eventually holding off a defender to finish with the score.<\/p>\n
\nTo The Crib \ud83d\udca8@JamalRule23<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TlASG6ps9C<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
After Rule, anyone could still work their way into the No. 2 role.<\/p>\n
Mekhi Nelson is likely for that spot. He had 38 yards on seven carries. Isaiah Mozee showed the most burst from the backfield, carrying the ball six times for 41 yards.<\/p>\n
Kwinten Ives looks slimmer than a year ago, which could play into keeping him healthy. He had 14 carries for 55 yards.<\/p>\n
A darkhorse to make his way up the depth chart is redshirt freshman Conor Booth. The Wahoo, Neb., native tallied 15 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown. He scored on a 32-yard run to end the game.<\/p>\n
\n.@ConorBooth23<\/a> to end it! \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/sNOBY2mnEo<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Special Teams<\/p>\n
Although special teams weren’t live, we were able to see how much of the operation worked in the post-Mike Ekeler world.<\/p>\n
The three place kickers combined to go 4-for-4 on the day on field goals. John Hohl made a pair from 33 and 32 yards out. Kyle Cunanan drilled a 38-yarder. Australian freshman Michael Sarikizis had the most impressive make, notching a 49-yarder directly into the south wind.<\/p>\n
\nFirst half frames \ud83d\udcf8 pic.twitter.com\/UQrwys4Bey<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Archie Wilson punted five times on the day. His punts had an average of 41.4 yards, and three were downed inside the 20-yard line. After struggling through November, Wilson appeared to be back to how he looked early in his freshman campaign.<\/p>\n
On the return side, improvements remain necessary.<\/p>\n
The opening kickoff, the only one of the game, was muffed. Had the play been live, the offense would have been looking at starting inside its own 15, if not worse. Later in the game, Jacory Barney Jr., who has shown to be the most electric punt returner for the Huskers in several years, fair caught a ball inside his own five-yard line. Late in the fourth quarter, Larry Miles did the same thing on a rocketed line drive.<\/p>\n
The Attendance<\/p>\n
The announced attendance for the game was 27,188. That’s the lowest for a Nebraska spring game since 2000, when 22,415 saw the team that would play under Frank Solich’s third year.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that with the 2000 team, the program was coming off a Big 12 Championship, which would be the last league title for the program to date. The program was also only two seasons removed from winning the national title.<\/p>\n
So what does the low attendance in 2026 mean? Is it apathy? Is it the earlier date? Nebrasketball’s March Madness run?<\/p>\n
\nGood to be back \ud83d\udcaf pic.twitter.com\/OgAIYN8QwT<\/a><\/p>\n