Nebraska coach Matt Rhule impressed with in-state nickelback
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Nebraska coach Matt Rhule impressed with in-state nickelback
Sep 19, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Donovan Jones (8) and defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak (93) celebrate after a sack against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Jones had another strong performance, making key plays for the defense. Perhaps his best play was a strip-sack and recovered fumble in the third quarter. The play stopped theSpartans' momentum as they were driving down the field.
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It was another strong game in what has been a solid season for him so far. He has 15 total tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
"But elite traits with a great brain, you know, I mean, he's just he's mature. Even the sack fumble he made, he's in man, right? He's not blitzing. He's in man and he just adds on, you know? So, when you have smart guys like that, you can do a lot of things."
Jones has certainly had a strong start to the season and been a playmaker for the defense. He made the most of early Big Ten play, and it will be fun to see him keep playing at a high level. Many players have stepped up and played at a high level so far this season. Jones is no exception.
Michigan State takes the field before the football game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan State’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald, center, walks the end zone with the team before the football game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Luke Lindenmeyer (8) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Michael Richard (7) and linebacker Jordan Hall (5) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3} catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Mekhi Nelson (13) runs from Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley (4) during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) sprints past the Spartan defense during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley (4) sacks Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald protests a call that favored the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) pressures Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule paces on the sideline against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) gets forced out of the pocket by the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) hands the ball to running back Jamal Rule (25) against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Cam Edwards (0) sprints through a hole created by offensive lineman Conner Moore (58) during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) takes a snap during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) passes upfield during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Chrishon McCray (13) fends off a tackle by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. (10) during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Cheerleader looks skyward during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald (left) and Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule meet at mid-field after the game Saturday night at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrate with fans at Spartan Stadium after beating the Michigan State Spartans. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Michigan State takes the field before the football game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
1/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Michigan State takes the field before the football game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
2/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Michigan State’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald, center, walks the end zone with the team before the football game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
3/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Luke Lindenmeyer (8) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Michael Richard (7) and linebacker Jordan Hall (5) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3} catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Mekhi Nelson (13) runs from Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley (4) during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/20
A look at Nebraska QB Anthony Colandrea's college football career
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) sprints past the Spartan defense during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley (4) sacks Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald protests a call that favored the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) pressures Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule paces on the sideline against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) gets forced out of the pocket by the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/20
A look at Nebraska QB Anthony Colandrea's college football career
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) hands the ball to running back Jamal Rule (25) against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Cam Edwards (0) sprints through a hole created by offensive lineman Conner Moore (58) during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) takes a snap during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) passes upfield during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Chrishon McCray (13) fends off a tackle by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. (10) during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Cheerleader looks skyward during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald (left) and Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule meet at mid-field after the game Saturday night at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
20/20
A closer look at Nebraska's victory on the road against Michigan State
Sep 26, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrate with fans at Spartan Stadium after beating the Michigan State Spartans. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
(Dale Young, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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