Friday Five: A new year is here
The calendar turned and the lights dimmed on December. Welcome to 2026.
Here’s where things stand: Nebraska’s bowl game came and went. Basketball continues to surge. Women’s hoops took a punch and will have to respond. Volleyball quietly sent a message about continuity and the future, all at once.
Let’s get into it.
Nebraska football’s season ends in Vegas
Utah celebrated as the confetti flew. Nebraska, after a 44-22 loss in the Las Vegas Bowl, walked slowly back to the tunnel. The Huskers’ season was officially over and the questions already forming.
The Huskers’ start against the Utes was fast, intentional and almost jarring in contrast to how things finished. Nebraska came out playing with tempo, rhythm and purpose. Gains came in chunks. Mekhi Nelson’s 38-yard cutback touchdown created quite a bit of optimism for fans watching. The offense looked comfortable and decisive.
For a brief moment, Nebraska appeared in control.
“When we were hustling to the ball, getting lined up, that’s when we had our edge over them,” Nelson said. “Once we sort of stopped, I felt like that’s when they were able to adjust and stop us.”
That adjustment came quickly. Utah shifted into more zone pressure looks and Nebraska stalled as a result. Five straight three-and-outs produced two total yards. The game flipped from shootout potential to survival mode before the third quarter was even fully underway.
“We kind of were in rhythm early,” coach Matt Rhule said. “They made some adjustments. Our guys didn’t quite make enough plays.”
Quarterback TJ Lateef felt that shift too.
“I’ve got to be better at the end of the day,” Lateef said. “Left a couple plays out there, but at the end of the day I’ve got to play better. I’ve got to do better.”
Nebraska finished with 343 yards but Utah—even without its top defensive linemen—controlled the middle of the game and leaned on efficiency.
“A lot of things I’ve got to improve on,” Lateef said. “So that’s what this offseason will be for.”
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It was always going to take a lot for anything in the Las Vegas Bowl to shake me from my general “these are just exhibitions, anyway” malaise. Nebraska could’ve won 17-14 and I would’ve thought, “that’s a nice win,” and not much more. It could’ve lost 27-20 and I would’ve thought, “that’s a nice effort.”
Pinnacle Bank Arena set to host historic matchup
While football closed one chapter, men’s basketball continues writing a story that still feels a little surreal.
Friday night brings Michigan State to Lincoln. Pinnacle Bank Arena will be sold out as the No. 13 Huskers face the No. 9 Spartans. There’s some real weight to that.
And this isn’t just rare. It’s historically rare.
Nebraska hasn’t hosted a top-15 matchup since 1991. It hasn’t hosted a ranked-vs.-ranked men’s game at Pinnacle Bank Arena ever. One step further, it hasn’t entered January unbeaten since 1928-29.
The Huskers are 13-0 and have won 17 straight games dating back to last postseason. They’re one of six unbeaten teams left in Division I. They’re averaging over 83 points per game and defending at a level that travels.
Michigan State won’t be intimidated—the Spartans rarely are—but Nebraska isn’t trying to borrow confidence anymore. It’s generating its own.
Friday should be a fun one in Lincoln.
Nebraska women’s basketball falls to Iowa
Thursday in Iowa City didn’t go how the Huskers hoped it would.
Nebraska led at halftime. The fourth quarter opened tied. Britt Prince was electric. Jessica Petrie hit shots. Eliza Maupin fought inside. And then, the margins disappeared.
Turnovers mounted and Iowa surged. A 10-0 run erased any remaining doubt.
“Obviously just disappointed because we were right there in the game,” coach Amy Williams said in her post-game interview on the Huskers Radio Network. “I thought in the second half, and particularly in the fourth quarter, we let their increased physicality and pressure on the ball take us out of what we were trying to do. We were having to dribble entry instead of pass entry because we weren’t open for our teammates when we needed to be open.”
Nebraska scored 76 points, which usually would be enough for a win. Not when Iowa scores 86 though.
“We spent some time talking about the fact that 76 points, it probably needs to be enough in this league,” Williams said. “We can’t give up 86 points.”
The absence of Amiah Hargrove mattered. Her rebounding, physicality and flexibility weren’t easily replaced. The Huskers shot well though, and competed enough to be in a position to win.
The Big Ten, however, doesn’t leave a lot of room for error.
The Huskers will have a chance to get back on track Sunday at 2 p.m. against Purdue at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Volleyball and the transfer portal
In an era where roster stability feels increasingly fragile, Nebraska volleyball continues to deliver calm within that storm.
Skyler Pierce, Kenna Cogill, Ryan Hunter, Keri Leimbach and Teraya Sigler have all confirmed they’re returning to Lincoln. No portal departures to report at this time.
Since Dani Busboom Kelly arrived in Lincoln, not a single player has entered the transfer portal. That doesn’t happen by accident and it’s pretty impressive. It’s clear Nebraska’s players believe in the development taking place in Lincoln, as well as their roles and futures within the program.
Other Big Ten programs, on the other hand, are navigating significant roster movement.
In a college athletics landscape where stability is becoming a competitive advantage, Nebraska volleyball continues to separate itself.
The future of Nebraska volleyball
On New Year’s Day, incoming Huskers Gabby DiVita, Jayden Robinson and Keoni Williams competed in the Under Armour Next All-America Match, one of the sport’s premier showcases for high school seniors headed to top college programs. DiVita suited up for Team Pearls, while Robinson and Williams represented Team Roses.
Team Roses came away with a 20-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-21 win, closing the match strong after dropping the opening set. Ayanna Watson (Pitt) was named match MVP after finishing with nine kills and two blocks.
The event featured elite talent committed to 16 different programs across the country.
For those who missed it live, the match will re-air on ESPNU on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. CT.
Another week has come and gone, and another year too. Football is finished for another season, but the offseason and spring ball will be here before we know it.
In the meantime, there’s plenty to follow with basketball. Even more, spring sports will get started soon too. It feels like there should be a lull, but there never is (especially when classes begin again on Monday, Jan. 12).
Can’t say it’s ever dull in Lincoln, that’s for sure.