Nebraska returns home to Memorial Stadium this weekend and will play host to Washington in a prime-time Halloween Night matchup in Lincoln. Game time is set for 7 p.m. CT, with the contest televised by BTN. The Big Ten contest can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com and the official Huskers App.
The matchup is the first between Nebraska and Washington as Big Ten opponents, and the first since a 2011 matchup in Lincoln. Overall, Saturday's night's game will be the 11th all-time meeting between Nebraska and Washington.
Nebraska comes into the game with a 5-2 record and a 2-2 mark in Big Ten play. The Huskers are coming off a bye week which was preceded by a pair of heartbreaking three-point losses, most recently a 17-14 loss at Oregon on Oct. 17. Nebraska led throughout the second half before the Ducks scored in the game's final 40 seconds to steal the victory.
A victory over Washington would give Nebraska a 6-2 start through eight games for the second consecutive season. The Blackshirt defense continues to rank among the nation's best heading into the final month of the season. Nebraska leads the nation in third-down defense and ranks among the top 20 nationally in total defense and scoring defense.
Washington comes to Lincoln with a 4-3 overall record and a 1-3 mark in Big Ten play. The Huskies are also coming off a bye week following a 38-26 victory at Purdue on Oct. 16. Coach Jedd Fisch's Huskies feature one of the Big Ten's top passing offenses, averaging better than 280 yards per game through the air.
Huskers-Washington Series History
Saturday's meeting will be the 11th game in the all-time series between the schools, with Nebraska owning a 5-4-1 overall edge, including 2-1-1 in Lincoln.
- The game is the first between the schools as Big Ten opponents and the first overall meeting since a 2011 game at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska will travel to Seattle in 2027.
- The schools played seven times between 1991 and 2011, including three times in a span of 12 months in 2010 and 2011, with a Holiday Bowl meeting sandwiched between a home-and-home series.
- Four of the 10 previous all-time meetings have paired ranked teams, including three top-10 matchups. Four straight meetings featured one of the teams ranked in the top five nationally. Saturday's game is the first time in eight meetings that neither team has been ranked.
- Nebraska's win at No. 2 Washington in 1997 is the last time the Huskers have defeated a top-10 team on the road.
Blackshirt Defense Among Nation's Best
The Nebraska defense has been among the nation's best in 2026, helping the Huskers to a 5-2 start. Nebraska ranks among the top 20 nationally in nine statistical categories, including total defense (271.3 ypg, 9th), scoring defense (15.4 ppg, 14th), rushing defense (99.6 ypg, 19th), passsing yards allowed (171.7 ypg, 17th), pass efficiency defense (109.08, 13th) and third-down defense (19.3%, 1st).
- The Husker defense has excelled on third down, allowing opponents to convert a nation-best 19.3 percent, more than 4 percent better than second-place Oklahoma. In NU's last game, Oregon was 3-of-17 on third downs, including none in the first three quarters. The previous two weeks, Indiana converted just 1-of-10 third downs, and Maryland was 1-of-14. In Big Ten play, NU's four opponents have converted just 8-of-49 third downs (16 percent).
- Against Bowling Green, Nebraska allowed only 169 total yards, the fewest by the Blackshirts since allowing 160 yards to Houston Christian last season. North Dakota picked up only 205 yards against the Huskers.
- Nebraska has allowed less than 100 rushing yards in four of seven games. In Big Ten games, Nebraska is allowing 93.5 rushing yards per game, including holding Michigan State to 39 rushing yards and Indiana to 65 rushing yards, the Hoosiers' lowest total over the past two seasons.
- Nebraska allowed Bowling Green just nine first downs, while North Dakota picked up 10 first downs against the Blackshirts. It was the first time Nebraska has allowed 10 or fewer first downs in consecutive games since the first two games of the 1999 season.
- Nebraska has held each of its first seven opponents to 23 or fewer points. It marks the first time Nebraska has held the first seven opponents in a season to 23 or fewer points since 2001.
Offense Showing Balance and Explosiveness
The Husker offense got off to a prolific start in 2026, and has continued to be solid in Big Ten play. Nebraska ranks in the top 30 in scoring offense (35.6 ppg, 29th), rushing offense (194.4 ypg, 29th) and third-down conversion percentage (50.5%, 15th).
- Nebraska has topped 200 yards in both rushing and passing four times in 2026, including each of the first three games. That marked the first time Nebraska reached that statistical milestone in three straight games since 2016. Nebraska has now topped 200 yards in both categories six times in Rhule's tenure.
- Nebraska surpassed 500 yards in each of the first two games, marking the first time NU had topped 500 yards of total offense in back-to-back games since against Akron and Houston Christian in 2025. The Huskers have topped 500 yards five times under Matt Rhule.
- The Huskers have 37 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, a total that ranks 40th nationally. Nebraska's 14 rushing plays of at least 20 yards rank 18th in the nation.
- Nebraska scored three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns against Maryland. NU has had at least one rushing and passing touchdown in six of seven games this season.
- Nebraska scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games. It was the first time Nebraska scored more than 30 points in five consecutive games since 2018, and the first time NU scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games since 2014.
Husker Standouts Earn Mid-Season Honors
A trio of Huskers were recognized last week with Midseason All-America honors, adding to a number of preseason honors for Husker players. Cornerback Andrew Marshall was named a first-team Midseason All-American by On3 and Sports Illustrated for his standout play in the NU secondary. Linebacker Owen Chambliss and center Justin Evans were both named second-team Midseason All-Americans by The Athletic. Chambliss is Nebraska's leading tackler, while Evans anchors a veteran offensive line. A number of Huskers were named to watch lists prior to the start of the 2026 season.
- Jacory Barney Jr. was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, which is presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Barney had 45 catches for 484 yards and five receiving touchdowns in 2025, and he also had 22 punt returns for 270 yards, ranking 13th nationally with an average of 12.3 yards per punt return.
- Chambliss was named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best linebacker. Chambliss was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection last year at San Diego State, when he led the Aztecs with 110 tackles.
- Anthony Colandrea was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, an award presented annually to the College Player of the Year. The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year at UNLV last season, Colandrea was one of four FBS quarterbacks with 4,000 yards of total offense in 2025.
- Donovan Jones was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list. The Wuerffel trophy honors student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. Jones is one of the most active Huskers in the community.
- Evans was named to the watch list for the Rimington Award, presented annually to the nation's top center and named after former Husker center Dave Rimington. Evans started all 13 games at center for Nebraska in 2025, and he is regarded as the No. 1 graded center in the country by PFF College and a preseason second-team All-American by The Athletic. He is also part of the Jason Witten College Man of the Year watch list.