
Sunday usually means an off day for the Huskers. Dinners with players or coaches families.
But with a short week before Friday’s 7 p.m. game against 3-0 Illinois, coach Matt Rhule said the team is back to work instead, using the time to prepare for its Big Ten opener.
“When it comes to conference play,” Rhule said. “You never know where you are until you get there.”
Despite the short week, Rhule was able to watch the Illini game Saturday — with Nebraska’s 34-3 win over Northern Iowa not starting until 6:30 p.m. He saw Bret Bielema’s squad pull away in the second half for a 30-9 victory over Central Michigan, helping Illinois debut at No. 24 in the rankings.
Friday is also the Illini’s Big Ten opener, and they enter at 3-0 for the time since 2011.
This is the second straight year the teams are playing on a Friday. Last season, NU came away with a 20-7 win to improve to 3-3.
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This season, Rhule’s squad is 3-0 — its best start since 2016 and ranked No. 22. But they haven’t won anything in the Big Ten yet.
“I kind of refer to this as a preseason,” Rhule said Saturday. “In my mind, we’re learning how to win.”
Said quarterback Dylan Raiola: “You treat those three games like real games. But you really find out your identity before you get into these conference games that mean everything.”
Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone (24) dives toward the end zone after being hit by Northern Iowa’s Ben Belken (33) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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The freshman said the preparation for Illinois started Saturday night, and he planned to watch the UNI game before Sunday’s practice.
“We’re mature,” Raiola said. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to win.”
Rhule said one key heading into Big Ten play was that many Huskers have already seen the field. Getting the second unit valuable minutes helped the starters stay fresh, and get others meaningful experience.
NU opened the season by beating UTEP 40-7. Nebraska outgained the Miners 507-205, holding them to 56 rushing yards.
In their second game, the Huskers rolled to a 28-0 lead at halftime against rival Colorado. The Buffaloes scored the only points in the second half of NU’s 28-10 win, but Colorado mustered 16 rushing yards.
Against Northern Iowa, the Panthers controlled time of possession 38:07-21:53 but the Huskers won every other major stat.
Defensive back Isaac Gifford said the first three games have been good. The first two opponents relied heavily on the pass, but UNI’s use of 12 personnel and reliance on the run was valuable for the defense.
“We needed to see that before we got into Big Ten play,” Gifford said. “They really came in here with the Big Ten offensive mindset.”
Nebraska has had fairly comfortable leads at halftime in each game, and hasn’t had to sweat out a close second half. Receiver Isaiah Neyor said that will change in conference play, and the team’s mindset has to be on finishing strong in the fourth quarter.
“We’re going to make the emphasis to play harder, play smarter and compete to the best of our ability,” Neyor said.
Photos: Nebraska football back under the lights vs. Northern Iowa — Sept. 14

Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola signals during the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule reacts after an interception call was upheld by game officials in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule argues an interception call with game officials in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) tackles Northern Iowa’s Desmond Hutson (18) in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (13) holds the ball as kicker Tristan Alvano (30) scores a field goal in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs off the field in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards (2) gains a few yards by spinning past Nebraska defenders in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Jake Nelson, father of Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) talks with his son after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7) celebrates with teammate Tommi Hill (6) after making a stop against Northern Iowa in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen (left) and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walk off the field together after the win over Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Northern Iowa’s Amauri Pesek-Hickson (5) is brought down by Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (6) and DeShon Singleton (8) in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) celebrates after blocking a pass in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) and Dylan Raiola (15) stand together on the sideline on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (2) tackles Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) as he tries to run the ball on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) runs the ball while pressured by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3) in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) battles through a tackle attempt by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3) to score a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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After being tripped up by Northern Iowa’s JJ Dervil (3), Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor (18) dives forward for a touchdown in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska assistant coach Tony White walks the field during warm-ups on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska players exit out of the tunnel walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15), Bryce Benhart (54), and Mikai Gbayor (42), lead the Huskers in the tunnel walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (right) is embraced by former classmates Jackson Knust (left) and Trey Smith after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Jaylen Lloyd (19) runs with the ball as Northern Iowa’s Bradley Vislisel (90) chases on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson carries the ball against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola runs with the ball against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Brian Buschini kicks the ball against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Carter Nelson scores a touchdown against Northern Iowa’s Jonathan Cabral-Martin in the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Northern Iowa’s quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) is helped off the field after an injury in the second half, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Princewill Umanmielen (left) pressures Northern Iowa’s Aidan Dunne, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola (right) hands the ball to Heinrich Haarberg in the third quarter against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg carries the ball in the third quarter against Northern Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule shakes hands with Northern Iowa’s Mark Farley, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson scores against Northern Iowa in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (right) celebrates his touchdown against Northern Iowa with teammate Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (right) is embraced by former classmates Jackson Knust (left) and Trey Smith after the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7) and Keona Davis (97) bring down Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards (2) on a run in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) pumps up the crowd in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (7), Mikai Gbayor (42), and Vincent Shavers (10) tackle Northern Iowa’s Amauri Pesek-Hickson (5) in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Northern Iowa’s Keith Moko (20) breaks up a pass intended for Nebraska’s Jahmal Banks (4) in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone (24) dives toward the end zone after being hit by Northern Iowa’s Ben Belken (33) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Stefon Thompson (56) and Isaac Gifford (2) tackle Northern Iowa’s Tye Edwards in the third quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) sheds a tackle by Northern Iowa’s Fletcher Marshall (6) in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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Northern Iowa’s Aidan Dunne reacts after recovering a fumble in the second quarter during the Nebraska game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson celebrates a defensive play against Northern Iowa in the second quarter, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor dances after scoring against Northern Iowa in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Isaiah Neyor scores against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola takes a snap against Northern Iowa in the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Fans cheer as the Nebraska football team takes the field before the Northern Iowa game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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The moon rises behind the North stadium on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (right) blocks a pass by Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne (10) in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Kai Wallin (93) celebrates stopping Northern Iowa from gaining any yards in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule smiles after a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule smiles while walking the sideline with quarterback Dylan Raiola during the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A pass intended for Northern Iowa’s Sergio Morancy (21) is broken up by Nebraska’s Marques Buford (3) in the first quarter on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jacory Barney (17) dances in the endzone as he celebrates scoring a second quarter touchdown against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska’s Carter Nelson (29) hits Northern Northern Iowa’s Caleb Frazer (17) as he runs into the end zone for a first quarter touchdown on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Janiran Bonner (16) celebrates with teammate Isaiah Neyor (18) as Neyor runs in a touchdown in the first half on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen is seen on the sideline before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen speaks with Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Nebraska’s Ben Scott (66) warms-up with his teammates before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Fans arrive outside Memorial Stadium ahead of the Northern Iowa game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Young Husker fans line up for players to high-five them during the Legacy Walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Nebraska fan Truman Stubbendieck, 12, of Omaha, relaxes ahead of the Legacy Walk before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Hudson Hill, 5, of Omaha, and Grayson Will, 7, of Lincoln play on The Husker Legacy Statue before the game against Northern Iowa on Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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