Nebraska football to start season amid late summer heatwave

While Nebraska hopes to bring the heat in its season opener Saturday against Ohio, fans in the stands will be feeling the heat.

The National Weather Service has extended a heat advisory for the Lincoln area until 7 p.m. Central time Saturday. Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s, while the heat index will be in the triple digits. Because of that, Husker Athletics announced that fans will be allowed to bring one sealed bottle of water into Memorial Stadium. The athletic department added that it always allows personal empty water bottles inside the stadium for fans to be able to refill at the water fountains inside.

The Huskers are hoping for another hot start to the season. Nebraska has gone 3-0 in non-conference play and started 5-1 overall each of the past two seasons before fading in November.

Head coach Matt Rhule is 19-19 overall in his three seasons leading the Big Red. With three of the nation’s top six teams on the schedule, all of whom played in last year’s College Football Playoff, this marks a pivotal season for the coach.

The Huskers are coming off back-to-back 7-6 seasons. This fall, NU will start senior transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea. He started for UNLV last season, where he earned offensive player of the year honors from the Mountain West Conference. The senior replaces two-year starter and five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon in the offseason following a season-ending injury against USC last year.

When asked for a player or two who could break out this season, Rhule said at a press conference this week there are a number of young players transferring with a chance to impress.

“The great thing about being at Nebraska is everyone’s watching. No matter what you’ve done before, no matter how you’ve played in the past here, good or bad, it’s all about what you do next,” Rhule said. “But I don’t think this is about any one player. I think this is about our team staying connected through the good and the bad and playing our best football.”

He expects Ohio to be “a tough physical football team.” Rhule said that’s thanks to the “DNA” left behind by former coach Frank Solich. Solich led the Bobcats program from 2005-2020, following many years on staff at Nebraska, including head coach at NU from 1998-2003.

Speaking of coaches, another big change for the Huskers in 2026 includes Rob Aurich stepping in as defensive coordinator. John Butler was let go at the end of the 2025 regular season.

Aurich comes to Lincoln by way of San Diego State, which ranked 11th nationally last season, allowing just 293.7 yards per game.

Fans should prepare to add about an hour to their typical travel time with Lincoln roads under construction around Memorial Stadium.

Fox Sports One will carry Saturday’s game, which starts at 11 a.m. Central time.