Nebraska is in a familiar place, 3-0 after the first three non-conference games of the season for the third straight year. The Huskers beat North Dakota 34-7 last Saturday. Three straight 3-0 non-conference games is the Huskers' longest streak since 1997-2001. 

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka look back at Nebraska’s latest win. The offense was impressive: 493 yards, including 277 on the ground. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea continues to impress: 15-of-21 passing, 195 yards and a touchdown. The transfer also rushed four times for 19 yards and a touchdown. 

Building momentum for what's to come, freshman running back Jamal Rule is solidifying himself as the number one running back: 15 carries, 119 yards and two touchdowns. Rule's longest run from scrimmage was a 55-yard touchdown in the third quarter that put Nebraska up 24-0.

Maybe the most impressive part of the win over North Dakota was the defense. Sure, North Dakota is an FCS team, but it is one of the best in that division and came into the game with a high-powered offense. The Blackshirts sacked Jerry Kaminski five times. The Fighting Hawks could only muster 205 total yards, more than 300 yards below their season average. 

Do we really know how good Nebraska is? The short answer is no. We only say this because of the level of competition they've faced so far. The first real test comes on Saturday when the Huskers go on the road for the first time and open up Big Ten Conference play at Michigan State. 

The Spartans are 2-1 on the season; they lost last Saturday at Notre Dame, 27-10. The score suggests the game was closer than most people thought. The stat sheet tells a different story. But we all know the only thing that matters is the final score.

Michigan State is coached by Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern Coach. Fitzgerald is 6-6 against Nebraska. His last win against the Big Red was in 2022, 31-28 in a game played in Dublin, Ireland. 

Michigan State has won two of the last three games with the Huskers; Nebraska hasn’t won in East Lansing since 2012. 

Is this a MUST win for the Huskers? That’s a strong way to put it, and a loss wouldn’t be the end of the world. But a win would mean Nebraska has passed its first major test of the season, building even more confidence as the schedule gets tougher week by week. 

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Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

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Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride year-round.

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On the bright side, Nebraska is 2-0 on the season with two very easy wins against teams from the MAC.

The downside is this: with the inferior competition the Huskers have played so far, we really don’t know how good this team is.

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and former Husker offensive lineman Dr. Rob Zatechka take a look back at the Bowling Green game and look ahead to Saturday’s showdown with North Dakota.

On paper, the numbers echo the glory days. Averaging 535 yards a game, 256 yards a game on the ground, and 53 points per game! A mobile quarterback in Anthony Colandrea who can make plays with his feet and his arm. Jamal Rule, a running back who has future All-Conference written all over him, and maybe All-American.

The defense may finally be worthy of being called “The Blackshirts” again. Giving up just 28 points in two games. Bowling Green was held to just a touchdown.

Is this for real, or just smoke and mirrors? How about too early to tell. 

Up next is North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks are one of the best teams in FCS. Sure, they may be playing down a division, but they will most likely be the best team Nebraska has played so far this year. 

North Dakota has a potent offense led by quarterback Jerry Kaminski. Kaminski has 11 touchdown passes in three games and is completing 77% of his passes. North Dakota averages 540 yards and 50 points per game. However, Nebraska will be the best team it has played this season. 

North Dakota and Nebraska last played in 2022. The Huskers won 38-17. However, the game was much closer than the final score suggests. The Huskers needed two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to make the game out of reach. 

Travis and Dr. Rob always have lively and somewhat thought-provoking conversations; enjoy the episode! 

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Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Nebraska opens the season with a convincing win over Ohio, 49-21. 

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice dive deep into the game, highlighting the positives and areas for improvement for the next game.

The Nebraska running game was impressive against the Bobcats. The Huskers racked up 248 yards on the ground, led by true freshman running back Jamal Rule, who carried the ball 15 times for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rule also caught a touchdown pass.

Rule is the first true freshman to rush for 100+ yards since Adrian Martinez did it in 2018. He did not start the game, but his performance against Ohio was clearly the best among the running backs who played. 

Anthony Colandrea had a very good debut at quarterback for Nebraska. 18-32, for 275 yards and three touchdowns. As Dr. Rob discusses in this episode, Colandrea clearly fits the Nebraska system and makes the offense run more efficiently.

Nebraska did have 9 penalties in the game. Yellow flags have plagued the Huskers in the past, and if they want the season they hope to have, they need to clean up this issue. 

Dr. Rob also breaks down the offensive and defensive line play; here's a hint: he was hoping for a better pass rush from the Huskers.

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Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

The talking is over! It's time to start playing the games. On this episode of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, Travis Justice and former Husker Dr. Rob Zatechka preview the Huskers' season opener against Ohio.

This is the first meeting between Nebraska and the Bobcats. Call it the Frank Solich game. Solich will receive the Legends Award from the Nebraska football Hall of Fame and be part of the coin toss. Solich was also head coach at Ohio from 2005-2020. In total, he won 173 games coaching both schools, 58 at Nebraska and 115 at Ohio.

Nebraska will be looking to build early-season momentum and get its timing down with a handful of transfers. Sure, the newcomers have lots of experience, but this will be the first time playing together as a unit. 

The Huskers have a good balance of returning experience to mesh with the transfers, with six returning starters on offense and six on defense. 

All eyes will be on transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea. There are huge expectations on the UNLV transfer. He's started 31 games and has 8,693 total yards of offense in his career, including 7,542 passing yards. On paper, his dual-threat ability makes him a better fit for Dana Holgorsen's offense.

There will be lots of new faces to watch, including the coaching staff. It's only the first game, but it could give everyone a glimpse of what is to come for Nebraska, good and bad.

Also, Dr. Rob shares his predictions for the biggest surprise teams in the Big 10 this season and his potential disappointments.

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Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

We are less than two weeks away from the kickoff of the 2026 season, and the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, is coming with some fresh analysis. 

Travis Justice and former Husker All-American, Dr. Rob Zatechka, dive deep into the defensive side of the ball. 

Dr. Rob believes that if the Huskers are going to move beyond six or seven wins in 2026, they'll need to improve significantly on defense. Especially upfront on the defensive line and in their ability to stop the run against Big 10 opponents. 

Dr. Rob believes that with a new Defensive Coordinator, new defensive position coaches, and a good mix of returning players and transfers, the pieces are in place. But he’s been burned before, and that’s why he’s taking a wait-and-see approach before he comes to any conclusion on how talented the defense really is. 

One of the last remaining records for Husker Football going back to the “Glory Days” is the sellout streak. It currently is at 410 consecutive games, dating back to 1962.  The streak is in serious jeopardy, and the athletic department is selling attractive ticket packages to try to keep it going. Is now the time to let it stop? Sure, the sellout streak is a source of pride, but it has also become something of an eye-roll in the college football world, as TV often shows a stadium far from full when the Huskers are on TV. Holding on to the sellout streak can, and in many ways does, look like desperation when you are giving away tickets or buying them up just to keep it alive. 

In the end, the best way to sell out the stadium is to put a good product on the field that fans can be proud of. If we are being honest, Nebraska hasn’t done that in over a decade. 

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and email us with questions at [email protected].

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule told the Big 10 Network that the 2026 Huskers are his best team, by far! If that’s the case, the offense is going to have to make some major improvements if that statement reflects in the win column.

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka dive deep into Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen and specifically the running back room.

Holgorsen is in the last year of his two-year contract with Nebraska. In his first full season as the Big Red’s play caller, the Huskers offense made significant improvement in every offensive statistic with the exception of passing yards per game, where they actually went backward.

We aren’t saying Holgorsen is on the hot seat, but if this is the best team by far since Rhule arrived in Lincoln, the offense will be expected to make another big jump.

A lot is still unknown about whether that will happen.  An offensive line that has not played together. A new quarterback who last took a snap against a Big 10 team in 2023 when he was at Virginia. And the Huskers must replace All-American running back Emmett Johnson, who accounted for 40.7% of Nebraska’s offensive yards last season. The running back room has virtually no starting experience to speak of as the season starts. 

No, Nebraska does not have a Johnson-like back on the roster; expect a more committee-based running back attack.

Others could work into the mix, like Conor Booth and Tikey Hayes. However, based on the Huskers' schedule, the offense and the running game will be huge factors in whether Nebraska can reach eight, or even nine, wins. 

Here are Nebraska’s offensive statistics and rankings from last season.

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and send us an email if you have a question: [email protected].

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

If there's one thing Dr. Rob Zatechka knows a lot about, well, it's actually two things.  Medicine and offensive line play. For the sake of this podcast, we will focus on the O-Line. 

Welcome to another edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by Strategic Solutions Sanitation. 

Dr. Rob points out there is a lot to be optimistic about for a unit that has struggled over the last couple of coaching staffs. 

This year's team has three incoming transfers and is expected to start or see significant playing time up front. But Dr. Rob says to hold your horses and expect the pipeline's return. He admits there is talent, but talent may not be as valuable as time!  Listen to the episode for the full breakdown.

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and send us an email if you have a question: [email protected].

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Welcome back to the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, now presented by Strategic Solutions. 

A sure sign that the season is right around the corner, Big 10 Media Days take place this week. Six teams on the stage on Tuesday, six teams on Wednesday, and six more, including Nebraska, on Thursday. 

Travis Justice and Former Nebraska All-American Dr. Rob Zatechka don't expect to learn a lot from the made-for-TV/Internet event. But they are interested in hearing what Big Ten Commissioner Tony Pettiti has to say about the "Save College Sports Act," which is not expected to pass before the November elections.

Pettiti isn't expected to be as straightforward as his SEC counterpart Greg Sankey, but it's no secret the Big 10 is opposed to the "Save College Sports Act" in its current form.

Matt Rhule will take the stage on Thursday; the ESPN Power Index has Nebraska finishing 7-5 on the season. If the Huskers do finish with this record, does it put Matt Rhule on the hot seat? 

As we get closer to the season starting, Travis and Rob talk about fan apathy setting in for the Huskers. Is it really happening? This has been the least talked-about off-season they can remember for years. 

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and send us an email if you have a question: [email protected].

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Strategic Solutions

The food safety and contract sanitation experts built by industry veterans. They deliver 100% legal compliance, audit-ready performance, and elite sanitation for processing facilities nationwide. Stop worrying about your next audit—learn more at Strategic Solutions.

Orr Law Group

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

After years of talking about it, the renovation of Memorial Stadium is finally going to take place!  On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka talk about the $600 million project. 

The project will bring major changes to the 103-year-old stadium. The south stadium will be completely demolished and rebuilt. This will create a 360-degree concourse and more fan amenities. Capacity will drop to 80,000 but will include 20,000 additional chairback seats and a 7,000-seat student section.

Change does not come without complaints. People are unhappy with the project's price tag. They are also upset about the decision to eliminate legacy season tickets. As Travis and Dr. Rob Discuss, this is all part of doing business in today’s world of college football.  Stealing a line from “The Godfather,” it’s not personal, it’s business.

The podcast covers a lot of ground, including the proposed 5-for-5 eligibility rule. The Big Ten’s record payout to schools from the first full year of the new media contract. 

Also, the dangers to the transfer portal. We witnessed it firsthand recently with Brendan Sorsby at Texas Tech, who checked into a residential treatment facility for gambling addiction. The portal's shotgun marriages do not give teams enough time to conduct background checks on players. Unlike the NFL, which has a security team in place that knows everything possible about a player before the draft.

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and send us an email if you have a question, [email protected].

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka are tapping into their artistic side.

Our guest is Ashley Spitsnogle. You may not know her name, but if you are a Husker fan, you have definitely seen her art. Some of you may even own one of her prints, or if you have a lot of money, an original painting.

Ashley is an officially licensed Husker Artist who has captured the hearts, minds, and emotions of Husker Nation. 

Spitsnogle grew up on a farm in Odell, Nebraska. She attended Doane College and studied art. A lifelong Husker fan, she developed a passion for painting the Big Red after doing a live painting at a Teammates event. After that, opportunities kept presenting themselves, and her business continued to grow. 

You can find prints of her work at Husker Hounds or on her website. Decorate your man cave with spectacular pieces of Memorial Stadium, or some of the best players and coaches in Husker History. 

Getting to this point in her career has been a journey that she shares on this episode. Here’s a hint: becoming a licenced Husker artist is not as easy as one would think. There’s a lot of red tape, and now with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), it’s even more complicated. But for her, and you, it’s all worth it. 

If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible:

Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner.

Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com.

Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year.

Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.