The end of March is near, which means that the Nebraska Cornhuskers‘ Spring practice is near its end with the Red-White Spring scrimmage on Saturday, March 28. It’s been a relatively quiet Spring practice session, which began a little over a month ago. That may be something that the Huskers needed, especially after coming off a disappointing campaign in 2025 and all of the early offseason news.
The 2026 Spring game is returning to its normal scrimmage format after last season’s event was more of a skills challenge and an exhibition flag football game. There are a few things for Husker fans interested in watching as Nebraska prepares for the fourth season in the Matt Rhule era.
Three things to watch during the Nebraska Red-White Spring Game
1. Quarterback Battle
This has been the story of the offseason. Two-year starter and former five-star prospect Dylan Raiola bolted into the transfer portal and eventually to the Oregon Ducks over the offseason. When Raiola suffered a season-ending injury against the USC Trojans, true freshman TJ Lateef stepped into the spotlight and started the final four games of the season. Lateef had his moments, but Nebraska still lost three of the last four games.
After the season, Nebraska added former Virginia and UNLV starter Anthony Colandrea and former Nebraska and Virginia quarterback Daniel Kaelin from the transfer portal. Colandrea is favored for the starting job after a breakout season at UNLV, throwing for nearly 3,500 yards and 23 touchdowns as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
It makes for an interesting quarterback battle the next few months, and the Spring game could have a lot of eyes on it to see who will be the starting quarterback at Nebraska this fall.
2. Run Defense: Improved or Not
Nebraska’s run defense struggled last season. The Huskers’ defense seemingly could not stop the run, allowing 175 yards per game on the ground, which ranked as the 11th worst in the Power Four. This was a significant drop-off from 2024, when Nebraska was in the top 10 in run defense, allowing only 101 yards per game. There could be many reasons this happened in 2025. It could be the defensive coaching staff, which changed after former defensive coordinator Tony White left for Florida State. Could it be the losses of Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher to the NFL? It could be a mix of both. However, there will be a need for improvement going into 2026.
Nebraska tried to address that need in some ways by recruiting interior defensive linemen in the portal to address the issue. Transfers Owen Stoudmire (Boston College) and Jahsear Whittington (Pittsburgh) could fill some holes that Nebraska needed on the defensive line. Also, edge rushers Anthony Jones (UCLA) and Owen Chambliss (San Diego State) could make a difference as well. Regardless, it should be worth watching on Saturday.
3. Who’s Going to Step Up at Running Back?
Breakout star running back Emmett Johnson is heading to the NFL. Now the question is, who’s going to take over as the bell cow running back? The three running backs who were behind Johnson this past season will now have a decent shot at getting into the spotlight. Those being junior Kwinten Ives, and sophomores Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee.
Mekhi Nelson had the most touches among the three last season, with 27 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns while catching eight passes for 102 yards. Like Johnson, Nelson is a threat in the run game and also the pass game.
Kwinten Ives has also been a standout, but most of it has been recently. During bowl game preparation, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said that Ives had taken a step up. A lot of that has to do with why Nebraska didn’t snag a running back out of the portal this year. Mozee, a former wide receiver, saw some action as a running back as well in the running and passing games. He finished the season with 26 carries for 115 yards and 14 catches for 155 yards. Mozee could see more action in 2026, especially as a potential running back by committee during the upcoming season.
How to Watch?
2026 Nebraska football Red-White Spring Game
Date and Time: Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. CDT
Location: Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Television: Big Ten Network
Main Photo: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
