Nebraska's 34-7 Win Over North Dakota: What It Really Tells Us About the Huskers' Big Ten Hopes

Nebraska closed out its 2026 exhibition schedule with a 34-7 victory over FCS No. 6 North Dakota, but the final score flattered a performance that was far more uneven than the stat sheet suggests. The Huskers outgained the Fighting Hawks 493 to 205 yards, yet offensive inconsistency in the middle quarters kept the game closer than it should have been.

With the real season now beginning and no more easy games on the schedule, the question is whether Nebraska's offensive line issues will derail what could otherwise be a promising campaign. The good news for Husker fans: nobody in the Big Ten looks invincible right now.

Why the Score Was Closer Than the Stats

Nebraska's defense dominated from start to finish. The Blackshirts held North Dakota to just 205 total yards and made life miserable for quarterback Jerry Kaminski, who spent most of the night running for his life. The Fighting Hawks had no running room and only broke through on a few broken plays, including a 19-yard gain on 4th and 1.

But when Nebraska had the ball, the story was different. The Huskers rushed for 112 yards in the first quarter, then just 22 in the second. The third quarter looked better at 76 yards, until you remember that 55 of those came on Jamal Rule's explosive touchdown run to open the half. After that big play, Nebraska managed just 21 yards on eight carries in the third quarter.

Nebraska substituted heavily in the fourth quarter, so the final stats deserve some grace. But the pattern is concerning: an offensive line that has struggled with consistency for a decade, even with new position coaches and heavy portal investment, showed the same old issues against an FCS opponent.

Report Card: Position-by-Position Grades

Quarterback: A-

Anthony Colandrea showed his ability to make plays with his feet early on, a skill that will become more necessary in Big Ten play. He remains a precise passer, rarely misfiring against this level of competition. One concerning throwaway in the second quarter went into the field of play; against a Big Ten secondary, that is likely an interception.

I-Back: A-

The depth chart may show an OR between the backs, but when the game is on the line, it is clear which back the coaches trust: Jamal Rule. He finished with 152 total yards. Mekhi Nelson got the start and put up 54 yards. Isaiah Mozee was the named starter but saw five of his ten carries come in the fourth quarter during mop-up duty.

Wide Receivers: A-

If you have not rewatched Rule's long touchdown run, watch Kwazi Gilmer come across the field to run interference downfield. It was a thing of beauty. Jacory Barney made a huge second-effort play to get a first down early in the second quarter, and Quinn Clark's touchdown catch in the end zone was big time.

Offensive Line: C

The right side of the line had real issues in the second quarter, especially Tree Babalade. Considering how much more physical Nebraska was everywhere else on the field, this was concerning. Maybe North Dakota's defensive line is that good, or maybe there is a deeper problem.

Defensive Line: A

There was no running room for North Dakota all night. Kaminski ended up with 14 carries, maybe a third of them intentional. When he was not running for his life, Williams Nwaneri was forcing him to throw the ball away.

Linebackers: A

Owen Chambliss had a huge game with six tackles and a half sack. He and Dexter Foster are forming a solid partnership at linebacker. The real test comes in conference play.

Secondary: A

Donovan Jones delivered the hit of the game along with a sack. Dwayne McDougle led the team with seven tackles, and true freshman Danny Odem got valuable snaps.

What This Means for Big Ten Play

The overall grade is an A-, but the level of difficulty jumps significantly now. Michigan State is not a MAC school. Nebraska did what it needed to do against North Dakota, but the offensive line inconsistency is a red flag that could cost the Huskers in conference play.

The good news is that the Big Ten looks wide open this year. Anything from a 3-9 disaster to a College Football Playoff berth seems possible, which makes the next few weeks crucial for Nebraska's trajectory.

Elsewhere in College Football

Colorado: F. The Buffs are not ready for prime time.

Iowa: A. That was uncompetitive, and Hawkeye fans have to be pleased.

Oregon: A. Before anyone gets too excited about Dylan Raiola going 11 for 11 against Portland State, remember that this same North Dakota team rolled up 627 yards against that same defense last week. Raiola was not a great fit for what Matt Rhule and Dana Holgorsen want to do offensively, and Anthony Colandrea seems to be a much better fit for Nebraska's system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Nebraska vs. North Dakota game?

Nebraska won 34-7 over FCS No. 6 North Dakota on September 20, 2026.

How did Nebraska's offense perform against North Dakota?

Nebraska gained 493 total yards but was inconsistent, particularly in the second quarter when the rushing attack stalled at just 22 yards. The offensive line received a C grade for its uneven performance.

Who were the standout players for Nebraska?

Jamal Rule led the way with 152 total yards and a long touchdown run. Owen Chambliss had six tackles and a half sack, and Dwayne McDougle led the secondary with seven tackles.

What are the expectations for Nebraska in Big Ten play?

The Big Ten looks wide open this season, with anything from a 3-9 record to a College Football Playoff berth possible. Nebraska's offensive line consistency will be a key factor in determining which direction the season goes.