Game notes: Nebraska football looks to get back on track against Northwestern
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska football team will look to get back on track this weekend in a matchup with Northwestern.
Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 11 a.m. on FS1.
The Huskers (5-2, 2-2) come into this one following a 24-6 loss at Minnesota on Friday.
SEE ALSO: No. 25 Nebraska football falls to Minnesota; Raiola sacked nine times in loss
Nebraska trailed 7-6 at halftime, but the Gophers took full control of the game in the second half with 17 unanswered points.
The Huskers and the Wildcats didn’t meet in the 2024 season after matching up in Nebraska’s first 13 seasons in the Big Ten.
The series between the two squads has a history of close games, with 10 of the past 13 meetings decided by one score.
The game against Northwestern will start a two-game homestand for the Huskers.
You can watch Matt Rhule’s full Monday press conference below:
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats also own a 5-2 overall record, with a 3-1 mark in the Big Ten.
Northwestern will make the trip to Lincoln following a 19-0 victory over Purdue, marking the Wildcats’ fourth straight win.
The Wildcats rely on a strong defense that allows just 305.3 yards and 15.1 points per game. That puts Northwestern in the top 25 in both categories.
Robert Fitzgerald leads the Northwestern defense with a team-high 60 tackles.
Michael Kilbane has 18 stops and is tied with a team-best five sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Mac Uihlein has snagged a team-leading three interceptions through seven games this year.
On the offensive side of the ball, Northwestern is averaging 364.4 yards per game, with 174.3 yards per game through the air.
Preston Stone leads the offense from under center, completing 111 of his 187 passes for 1,213 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Griffin Wade leads Northwestern’s receiving core with 516 yards on 36 catches and four scores.
Hayden Eligon II follows right behind him with 11 grabs for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
On the ground, Northwestern averages 190.1 yards per game.
Caleb Komolafe leads the Wildcats’ rushing attack with 483 yards on 107 carries and five touchdowns.
Joseph Himon II follows behind with 360 yards on 73 rushes.
THIS WEEK’S NUMBERS
3 – Nebraska has held Northwestern to 10 or fewer points in each of the last three meetings at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers held the Wildcats to 10 points in 2019, seven points in 2021 and nine points in a 17-9 win in Matt Rhule’s first season.
10 – Senior linebacker Javin Wright has recorded 10 tackles in four straight games, including a career-high 12 tackles in each of the past two weeks. Wright is the first Husker player to record four straight double-figure tackle games since Barrett Ruud had eight straight double-figure tackle games in 2004.
75 – Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson has 75 career receptions, including a team-high 29 catches in 2025. Johnson is just the third Nebraska running back with 75 career receptions, joining Marlon Lucky (135) and Jeff Kinney (82).
SCORE PREDICTIONS
Nate Johnson – Nebraska wins 24-20
Jake Homan – Nebraska wins 30-13
Mark Fischer – Nebraska wins 20-17
