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Michigan State Falls, Nebraska Resurrected
Welcome back to the Big Ten Basketball Weekend Rundown.
In this edition of the Weekend Rundown, we will review the results from Thursday to Sunday and examine where each team stands as February is upon us. Which teams won big, and which ones came up short?
UCLA 78, No. 16 Oregon 52
UCLA dominated No. 16 Oregon from start to finish in a 78-52 rout on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to five games. Eric Dailey Jr. was nearly unstoppable, scoring 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Dylan Andrews and Tyler Bilodeau each contributed 15 for the Bruins.
UCLA’s victory marked their fourth over a ranked team this season and completed a season sweep of the Ducks. Oregon struggled offensively, with Nate Bittle leading the way with just 13 points. They have now dropped two straight, while UCLA looks like a team gaining momentum at the right time.
Nebraska 80, No. 18 Illinois 74
Nebraska snapped a six-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, taking down No. 18 Illinois 80-74 in overtime on Thursday night. Brice Williams was the hero, scoring eight of his game-high 27 points in the extra period to help the Huskers secure their third win over a ranked opponent this season—a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 2013-14.
The Illini saw their dominance over Nebraska come to an end despite a balanced effort led by Kasparas Jakucionis’ 18 points. Williams took over in overtime, hitting clutch shots to put Nebraska in control, while Illinois could not keep pace down the stretch.
Illinois guard Tre White shoots the ball against Nebraska forward Juwan Gary during overtime Thursday night in Lincoln. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images Ohio State 83, Penn State 64
Ohio State kept its momentum rolling with an impressive 83-64 road win over Penn State on Thursday night, powered by freshman John Mobley Jr.’s all-around performance. Mobley filled the stat sheet with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Bruce Thornton caught fire from deep, hitting five threes on his way to 17 points.
The Buckeyes have now won three straight and looked in control throughout. Meanwhile, Penn State continued its struggles, dropping its seventh game in the last eight despite Yanic Konan Niederhauser’s 21-point effort. The Nittany Lions couldn’t slow down Ohio State’s efficient offense, and their own inconsistency on both ends made it tough to mount a comeback.
No. 10 Purdue 81, Indiana 76
Purdue pulled out a hard-fought 81-76 win over rival Indiana on Friday night, thanks to Braden Smith’s season-high 24 points and a clutch go-ahead shot from Trey Kaufman-Renn with 11 seconds remaining.
Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako led all scorers with 25 points. However, the Hoosiers couldn’t hold on late, dropping their sixth in the last seven games. The game saw six lead changes in the final four minutes before Kaufman-Renn’s hook shot gave Purdue the lead for good at 77-76.
Purdue guard Braden Smith drives past Indiana center Oumar Ballo (left) during Purdue’s 81-76 win Friday. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images USC 70, No. 7 Michigan State 64
USC pulled off a major upset Saturday afternoon, taking down No. 7 Michigan State 70-64 and snapping the Spartans’ 13-game winning streak. Desmond Claude led the Trojans with 19 points and USC never trailed in the game.
Michigan State had a chance to close the gap late but was called for a shot clock violation with 39.3 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, USC’s Saint Thomas found Yates for a cross-court pass and dunk, sealing the win and the biggest upset of Big Ten play so far.
No. 17 Wisconsin 75, Northwestern 69
John Tonje exploded for 27 points as No. 17 Wisconsin rallied in the second half to defeat Northwestern 75-69 on Saturday.
Trailing late, the Badgers responded with a crucial 14-3 run to seize control. Carter Gilmore was instrumental in that stretch, scoring seven of his 15 points. Jalen Leach paced Northwestern with 23 points and seven assists, but the Wildcats struggled late, making just one field goal during the Badgers’ decisive run.
Washington 71, Minnesota 68
Tyler Harris led Washington with 23 points and the Huskies held off Minnesota 71-68 on Saturday. Washington snapped a six-game losing streak and picked up just its second win over a power conference opponent this season.
Minnesota’s Dawson led a furious comeback and tied the game at 64 with a free throw late in the second half, but Great Osobor responded with a key three-point sequence to push Washington ahead. Garcia scored again to cut the deficit to 67-66 with 12 seconds remaining, but Washington sank free throws in the closing moments to secure the Huskies’ victory.
Michigan 66, Rutgers 63
Danny Wolf led Michigan with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Wolverines held off Rutgers 66-63 on Saturday for their second straight win. Rutgers relied heavily on its bench, with Jamichael Davis scoring a game-high 20 points and Tyson Acuff adding 14.
Rutgers made multiple pushes in the second half, cutting it to 46-44 on a Zach Martini triple with under eight minutes left. Michigan answered with key free throws, extending the lead to 57-50 after two from Goldin. Davis drained a late three to get Rutgers within four, but Michigan’s defense held in the final moments to secure the victory.
Michigan head coach Dusty May reacts during the second half of the Wolverines’ game Saturday against Rutgers. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Nebraska 77, No. 16 Oregon 71
Brice Williams led Nebraska with 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as the Huskers upset No. 16 Oregon 77-71 on Sunday night. Juwan Gary added 23 points as Nebraska earned its fourth win over a ranked opponent this season. The Cornhuskers controlled most of the game, using key defensive stops and efficient shooting to fend off Oregon’s comeback attempt.
The Ducks trailed by double digits in the second half but clawed back, cutting the deficit to five with just over six minutes remaining. TJ Bamba’s three-point play made it a four-point game in the final minute, but Nebraska sealed the win with clutch free throws from Williams and Gary. It was a monster victory from the Huskers, whose season may be turning around.
No. 18 Illinois 87, Ohio State 79
Will Riley scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half as No. 18 Illinois erased an 11-point deficit to defeat Ohio State 87-79 on Sunday. The Illini surged ahead with a decisive 15-0 run late in the second half. Morez Johnson Jr. contributed a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Kylan Boswell added 14 points.
Ohio State saw its three-game winning streak snapped despite a dominant first half from Devin Royal, who finished with 29 points, including 19 before halftime. Illinois tightened up defensively in the second half, limiting Ohio State’s offense while capitalizing on transition opportunities to complete the comeback.
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MORE: Report: Tennessee Special Teams Coordinator Mike Ekeler Joining Nebraska
MORE: Nebraska Legacy Reveals Reason For Choosing Old Big 12 Rival Over Huskers
MORE: Nick Handley Show: Nebrasketball Instant Reaction, Football Lands a Big Transfer
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
In a stunning upset, Michigan State fell to Nebraska in a thrilling college football game. The Spartans, who were heavily favored to win, were outplayed by the Cornhuskers in a game that left fans on the edge of their seats.Nebraska, who has struggled in recent years, showed signs of resurrection as they took down the powerhouse Michigan State team. The victory was a turning point for the Cornhuskers, who proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten conference.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and their fans, but ultimately Nebraska came out on top with a well-deserved win. It was a reminder that in college football, anything can happen on any given day.
The victory for Nebraska was a statement to the rest of the conference that they are a team to watch out for. As for Michigan State, they will need to regroup and bounce back from this loss as they look to continue their successful season.
Overall, it was a game that will go down in history as a classic matchup between two teams fighting for their place in the college football world. Congratulations to Nebraska on their impressive win, and best of luck to both teams as they continue their season.
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New team at top, Nebraska shoots up
Michigan Wolverines basketball is near the top of the Big Ten, but there are two teams currently ranked ahead of them in our power rankings.
These rankings (attempt to) strike the balance of properly weighing recent performances more heavily than ones in the distant past, while not overreacting to one or two results, with the acknowledgment that Big Ten play is a grind, and there’s a lot of parity in the league.
SUPERLATIVES
New No. 1: Purdue
Biggest jump: Nebraska (17th to 11th)
Biggest fall: Minnesota (11th to 16th)RELATED
• Film breakdown: How Michigan contained Ace Bailey, Danny Wolf’s late-game emergence, more from Rutgers win
• Five takeaways from Michigan’s win over Rutgers: Wolverines grind out Quad 1 victory1. Purdue (17-5 overall, 9-2 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 2nd (+1)
Last week: vs. Indiana (W, 81-76)
This week: at Iowa (Feb. 4), vs. USC (Feb. 7)Purdue was in a hotly-contested game against Indiana Friday night at Mackey, but pulled away late and snatched the victory. With Michigan State losing, the Boilermakers have the top spot in the Big Ten.
2. Michigan State (18-3 overall, 9-1 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 1st (-1)
Last week: vs. Minnesota (W, 73-51), at USC (L, 70-64)
This week: at UCLA (Feb. 4), vs. Oregon (Feb. 8)Michigan State stands atop the Big Ten standings with a 9-1 record, but it’s played the easiest schedule in the conference, according to Kenpom. Just before the road gets much tougher — beginning with Tuesday’s game at UCLA — the Spartans dropped one they shouldn’t have, losing to USC at the Galen Center. The offense flatlined in the loss.
3. Michigan (16-5 overall, 8-2 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 3rd (—)
Last week: vs. Penn State (W, 76-72), at Rutgers (W, 66-63)
This week: vs. Oregon (Feb. 5), at Indiana (Feb. 8)Michigan survived both of its tests last week, gutting out victories over Penn State and Rutgers. Neither were pretty games, but they continue to stack wins while adjusting to the physicality of the Big Ten. They responded from the embarrassing, 27-point loss at Purdue.
4. Maryland (17-5 overall, 7-4 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 5th (+1)
Last week: vs. Wisconsin (W, 76-68)
This week: at Ohio State (Feb. 6), vs. Rutgers (Feb. 9)Maryland is legit. Head coach Kevin Willard‘s crew proved it could win on the road with victories over Illinois and Indiana, then took care of business at home last week, beating Wisconsin 76-68.
Guard play can carry a team down the stretch, and Maryland has good ones, highlighted by Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who’s ascending just as his team is. Don’t sleep on big men Julian Reese and Derik Queen, either. Right now, the Terrapins have a look of a team that knows exactly what it is, and that can take them a long way.
5. Wisconsin (17-5 overall, 7-4 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 4th (-1)
Last week: at Maryland (L, 76-68), at Northwestern (W, 76-69)
This week: vs. Indiana (Feb. 4), at Iowa (Feb. 8)Wisconsin was in danger of losing Saturday at Northwestern, trailing in the middle of the second half. That would’ve been two-straight setbacks, since they lost at Maryland earlier in the week, but they gutted it out led by a 27-point performance from wing John Tonje, who made 5 threes. The Badgers swap places with Maryland.
6. UCLA (16-6 overall, 7-4 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 7th (+1)
Last week: at USC (W, 82-76), vs. Oregon (W, 78-52)
This week: vs. Michigan State (Feb. 4), vs. Penn State (Feb. 8)The lighter schedule has had something to do with UCLA’s five-game win streak, but there’s no question Mick Cronin‘s team is playing better after he called them out publicly early last month.
Since Jan. 17, when the win streak started, UCLA has been the third-most efficient team in the country, according to Bart Torvik’s T-Rank, including ranking No. 1 in the nation in offense. The Bruins have really found something with 7-foot-3 Spanish big man Aday Mara, who’s playing more minutes and has scored in double figures three of the last four games.
UCLA fended off USC across town and then dominated Oregon Thursday night. The Bruins bludgeoned the Ducks on the interior and made 11 threes — a deadly combo.
7. Illinois (15-7 overall, 7-5 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 6th (-1)
Last week: at Nebraska (L, 80-74 in OT), vs. Ohio State (W, 87-79)
This week: at Rutgers (Feb. 5), at Minnesota (Feb. 8)Illinois is the second-highest ranked seven-loss team in America on Kenpom, and it’s still in a bit of a funk. The Fighting Illini are 3-4 in their last seven games, with part of the reason being health. They’ve dealt with illnesses over the last couple weeks.
Starting center Tomislav Ivisic (mono) finally returned to the lineup for Sunday’s win over Ohio State, but the team had already fallen to Nebraska in overtime earlier in the week. They couldn’t get anything going on the inside — instead taking 42 three-pointers — in a loss in Lincoln.
8. USC (13-8 overall, 5-5 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 9th (+1)
Last week: vs. UCLA (L, 82-76), vs. Michigan State (W, 70-64)
This week: at Northwestern (Feb. 4), at Purdue (Feb. 7)USC is 2-2 in its last four games, but it’s clearly a team on the ascent. The Trojans have found their identity as a tough shot-making and defensive rebounding team — and they just collected their biggest win yet.
The Trojans impressively beat Michigan State, 70-64, Saturday in Los Angeles, handing the Spartans their first Big Ten loss of the season. They exposed MSU’s inability to hit three-point shots by sagging off multiple players and packing the paint, risks that paid off.
9. Oregon (16-6 overall, 5-6 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 8th (-1)
Last week: at UCLA (L, 78-52), vs. Nebraska (L, 77-71)
This week: at Michigan (Feb. 5), at Michigan State (Feb. 8)Oregon is in a rut, having three in a row and four of its last five games, before a tough road trip where it’ll play Michigan and Michigan State. The Ducks led for just over one minute of game time during the three-game skid.
Oregon started out 9-0 but is 7-5 since. Something is just off in Eugene.
They’ve struggled on the defensive end lately, allowing over 1.1 points per possession in each of the last three games. They’re not playing with confidence anymore, which is less than ideal with what’s ahead.
10. Ohio State (13-9 overall, 5-6 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 10th (—)
Last week: vs. Iowa (W, 82-65), at Penn State (W, 83-64), at Illinois (L, 87-79)
this week: vs. Maryland (Feb. 6), at Nebraska (Feb. 9)Ohio State was on a three-game winning streak before getting outhustled and outmuscled in the final 10 or so minutes of an 87-79 loss at Illinois Sunday afternoon. The Buckeyes have some quality wins under their belt, including over Kentucky and Purdue, but have been very up and down all year.
11. Nebraska (13-8 overall, 4-7 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 17th (+6)
Last week: vs. Illinois (W, 80-74 in OT), at Oregon (W, 77-71)
This week: at Washington (Feb. 5), vs. Ohio State (Feb. 9)There’s not much separation between the bottom eight teams in the Big Ten, allowing Nebraska to shoot up to No. 11 with an incredible week. The Cornhuskers beat Illinois and won at Oregon, looking like a completely different team than we saw just weeks ago.
Sixth-year senior guard Brice Williams is putting together one of those seasons, carrying Nebraska in critical moments. He should be up for Big Ten Player of the Week honors, scoring 27 at Illinois and 28 versus Oregon. He’s a bucket, with eight games scoring 25-plus points this year.
12. Northwestern (12-10 overall, 3-8 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 12th (—)
Last week: vs. Rutgers (L, 79-72), vs. Wisconsin (L, 75-69)
This week: vs. USC (Feb. 4), at Washington (Feb. 8)Northwestern is on a three-game losing streak and has lost seven of its last nine contests. The Wildcats have had a tough schedule, so we’ll see if they can grab a couple wins as it lightens up a bit over the next few weeks.
13. Indiana (14-8 overall, 5-6 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 13th (—)
Last week: at Purdue (L, 81-76)
This week: at Wisconsin (Feb. 4), vs. Michigan (Feb. 8)Indiana led for 17:14 of game time at Purdue and was right in it until the end, holding a one-point advantage with just over 10 seconds remaining, but couldn’t quite hang on in a tough environment at Mackey.
The next couple weeks will tell us if Indiana is in a free fall or they can actually salvage things and become a bubble team. They have an incredibly difficult slate coming up, against the following opponents: Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA and Purdue.
14. Rutgers (11-11 overall, 4-7 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 15th (+1)
Last week: at Northwestern (W, 79-72), vs. Michigan (L, 66-63)
This week: vs. Illinois (Feb. 5), at Maryland (Feb. 9)No Dylan Harper, no problem for Rutgers Wednesday night at Northwestern. Fellow five-star freshman Ace Bailey dropped 37 points, and his surrounding cast shot better than 50 percent from the field. But Saturday against Michigan, Bailey shot 3-of-15 from the field and the rest of the Scarlet Knights didn’t make enough shots.
Rutgers is a tough out, but nothing more than that at the moment. Getting Harper (ankle) healthy is paramount, otherwise Bailey is going to have to do everything on the offensive end.
15. Penn State (13-9 overall, 3-8 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 14th (-1)
Last week: at Michigan (L, 76-72), vs. Ohio State (L, 83-64)
This week: vs. Minnesota (Feb. 4), at UCLA (Feb. 8)Penn State nearly knocked off Michigan at Crisler but lost a late lead. Then it went home and played Ohio State at the old Rec Hall. Neither the environment at the 6,502-seat alternative home gym nor the team had any juice that night, and the Buckeyes ran them out of it. Penn State couldn’t get a stop or a rebound.
16. Minnesota (11-11 overall, 3-8 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 11th (-5)
Last week: at Michigan State (L, 73-51), vs. Washington (L, 71-68)
This week: at Penn State (Feb. 4), vs. Illinois (Feb. 8)Hand up, we were over ambitious ranking Minnesota 11th in the league last week, but it was playing well. There’s no shame in losing big at Michigan State, but falling to Washington in Minneapolis is a black mark on the résumé.
17. Washington (11-10 overall, 2-8 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 18th (+1)
Last week: at Minnesota (W, 71-68)
This week: vs. Nebraska (Feb. 5), vs. Northwestern (Feb. 8)Washington got off the mat. The Huskies had dropped six-consecutive games before beating Minnesota this week. We’ve moved them ahead of Iowa because of their road win and the Hawkyes remaining lifeless.
18. Iowa (13-8 overall, 4-6 Big Ten)
Previous ranking: 16th (-2)
Last week: at Ohio State (L, 82-65)
This week: vs. Purdue (Feb. 4), vs. Wisconsin (Feb. 8)Iowa simply can’t rebound or play defense. This is a Fran McCaffery team that has to score well over 1.1 points per possession to win, meaning victories are going to be hard to come by in the Big Ten.
Exciting news in the world of college football as a new team has emerged at the top of the rankings, and Nebraska has shot up in the standings. Nebraska has been making waves with their impressive performances on the field, and their hard work has paid off as they have climbed their way to the top.The new team at the top has not been named yet, but fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement. Nebraska’s rise in the rankings has been nothing short of impressive, and they are proving themselves to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow the exciting developments in college football. This season is shaping up to be one for the books, and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Go team!
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#team #top #Nebraska #shootsTennessee Coordinator Leaving Vols For Same Position At Nebraska
Tennessee OLB/ST Coach Mike Ekeler. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics Tennessee special teams coordinator and outside linebacker coach Mike Ekeler is leaving the Volunteer program to serve as Nebraska’s special teams coach, Volquest’s Brent Hubbs first reported on Monday morning.
Ekeler was on Josh Heupel’s initial staff at Tennessee and spent each of the last four seasons serving in the same role. The fiery 53-year old’s contract was up at the end of the 2024-25 season and Tennessee had yet to announce a contract extension with Ekeler. Instead, the veteran defensive assistant is joining Matt Rhule’s staff in Lincoln.
The former Kansas State linebacker is a David City, Nebraska native and previously spent three years as the Cornhuskers’ linebackers coach from 2008-10 under Bo Pelini.
Ekeler has served stints at a number of major football programs including Indiana, USC, Georgia, North Carolina and Kansas as well as Nebraska and Tennessee.
The special teams coordinator became a fan favorite during his time at Tennessee. He was active on social media where he often posted about having his chili hot. He became friends with Tony Vitello and became a staunch supporter of Tennessee baseball.
More From RTI: Five Tennessee Players Projected In Seven Round NFL Mock Draft
In press conferences, Ekeler had notable quotes like wanting is returners to be a fart in the skillet and for his gunners to be a little bit on the spectrum.
On the field, Tennessee’s special teams units were solid under Ekeler and particularly thrived early in his tenure. The Vols consistently had good returners starting with Velus Jones Jr and then Dee Williams.
Tennessee’s outside linebackers were consistently a point of strength though defensive line coach Rodney Garner also had a part in recruiting and coaching up that unit.
Ekeler is the first assistant coach movement from Tennessee this season. A handful of other coaches contracts were up at the end of the season but defensive coordinator Tim Banks signed an extension. Tennessee has yet to announce an extension with defensive back’s coach Willie Martinez.
Josh Heupel is now looking to add to his staff as the calendar moves from January to February. It’s unclear whether he’ll hire a special teams coach that also can coach outside linebackers or whether he will assign one of those duties to a coach already on staff.
It has been officially confirmed that Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, Bob Smith, will be leaving the Vols to take on the same position at the University of Nebraska. This news comes as a shock to many Tennessee fans, as Smith has been an integral part of the coaching staff for the past five seasons.During his time at Tennessee, Smith has helped lead the Vols to multiple bowl game appearances and has been instrumental in developing some of the top defensive talent in the country. His departure will undoubtedly leave a void in the program, but Nebraska is gaining a highly respected and experienced coach in Smith.
Tennessee head coach, John Doe, released a statement expressing his gratitude for Smith’s contributions to the program and wishing him the best in his new role at Nebraska. The search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately, as the Vols look to maintain their strong defensive presence in the upcoming season.
Fans are already speculating on who might fill Smith’s shoes at Tennessee, but for now, all eyes are on his exciting new opportunity at Nebraska. Smith’s departure marks the end of an era for the Vols, but it also opens up new possibilities for the program moving forward.
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#Tennessee #Coordinator #Leaving #Vols #Position #Nebraska
Tennessee Football loses assistant coach to Nebraska
A much-discussed rumor has come true this Monday morning as Mike Ekeler has opted to go back to Nebraska. Tennessee’s outside linebackers and special teams coach will become Matt Rhule’s special teams coach in Lincoln.
Ekeler is originally from Nebraska and has family in the state. He previously coached at Nebraska from 2008 through 2010. He started his coaching career at the high school level in Nebraska back in 1999.
Ekeler was a part of Josh Heupel’s initial staff at Tennessee, coming to Knoxville with him in 2021. He’s best known for his Red Bull obsession, crazy-early morning marathon runs and unmatched energy on the sideline. Ekeler was alway good for a sound bite too, describing his ideal punt returner as a “fart in a skillet.”
Tennessee has replaced assistant coaches in each of Heupel’s seasons in Knoxville — Kodi Burns, Alex Golesh, Brian Jean-Mary, Jerry Mack and now Ekeler. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks was working on an expiring contract with Ekeler this season, but Banks received a new deal. Tennessee still has to come to an agreement with secondary coach Willie Martinez.
Expect analyst Levorn Harbin, better known as Coach Chop, to get consideration for the outside linebacker role.
In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee Football has lost one of its key assistant coaches to Nebraska. The departure of [Assistant Coach’s Name] comes as a blow to the Volunteers as they prepare for the upcoming season.[Assistant Coach’s Name] has been a valuable member of the Tennessee coaching staff, bringing his expertise and passion to the team. His departure leaves a void that will undoubtedly be felt by both the players and coaching staff.
Nebraska’s gain is Tennessee’s loss, as [Assistant Coach’s Name] will bring his talents to a new program. The Volunteers will have to quickly regroup and find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by his departure.
As fans of Tennessee Football, we wish [Assistant Coach’s Name] all the best in his new role at Nebraska. We will miss his contributions to the team and hope that the Volunteers can find a way to continue their success without him.
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#Tennessee #Football #loses #assistant #coach #NebraskaMike Ekeler hired by Nebraska, leaves Tennessee football staff
Tennessee special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler is leaving for Nebraska after four seasons on Josh Heupel’s staff, a source close to the situation told Knox News on Monday. The source requested anonymity because Ekeler has not indicated his plans publicly.
Ekeler, who is from David City, Nebraska, coached for the Cornhuskers in 2008-10.
He will be Nebraska’s special teams coordinator and replace Ed Foley, who was not retained after the 2024 season.
Ekeler has been one of the best special teams coordinators in college football.
In 2024, Tennessee led the SEC in punt return average for the third time in Ekeler’s four seasons. The Vols gained 1,298 punt return yards and allowed only 128 punt return yards during his tenure.
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Under Ekeler’s watch, Boo Carter was also an SEC All-Freshman performer as a punt returner, and Josh Turbyville was an All-SEC third-team selection as a kickoff specialist.
Max Gilbert made 20 of 26 field goals in his first season as the primary placekicker. Punter Jackson Ross averaged a career-high 43.9 yards per punt.
Here are Josh Heupel assistants who left Tennessee
Heupel has enjoyed relative stability on his coaching staff. Ekeler is only the fifth assistant that Heupel has lost in four seasons at Tennessee, and none were fired.
After the 2021 season, UT wide receivers coach Kodi Burns left for the same position with the New Orleans Saints.
After the 2022 season, UT offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Alex Golesh left to become the head coach at South Florida. In December, he hired Burns as his new co-offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at USF.
After the 2023 season, UT running backs coach Jerry Mack took the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is now the head coach at Kennesaw State.
Also after the 2023 season, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary left to become Michigan’s defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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After just one season with the Tennessee Volunteers football team, Mike Ekeler has decided to leave and join the coaching staff at his alma mater, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.Ekeler, who served as the special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the Volunteers, is set to take on a similar role with the Cornhuskers. This move marks a homecoming for Ekeler, who played linebacker for Nebraska from 1991 to 1994.
During his time with Tennessee, Ekeler made a significant impact on the team, helping to improve their special teams unit and mentoring the inside linebackers. His departure is sure to be felt by the Vols, but Nebraska fans are excited to welcome back one of their own.
As Ekeler embarks on this new chapter in his coaching career, we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors with the Cornhuskers.
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Tennessee Special Teams Coordinator Mike Ekeler Joining Nebraska Football
Nebraska football may have its replacement to lead special teams.
According to Volquest with On3, Tennessee special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler is leaving Knoxville to return to Lincoln and coach the Big Red’s special teams. He had spent the last four seasons at Tennessee.
Tennessee Outside Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator Coach Mike Ekeler at the Orange & White spring game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, April 24, 2021. / Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC A native Nebraskan, Ekeler played for Bill Snider at Kansas State in the early 1990s. As a senior, he earned National Special Teams Player of the Year by George Michael Sports Machine, a popular national sports show at the time.
Ekeler went on to coach at a number of collegiate programs, including Indiana, USC, Georgia, North Carolina, and Kansas. He spent three seasons in Lincoln under coach Bo Pelini, leading the linebackers.
During his time in Lincoln, Nebraska won or shared the Big 12 Conference North Division every season. Ekeler aided in some of the best Husker defenses of the 21st century. In 2010, Nebraska was fifth nationally in pass defense (153.6), ninth in scoring defense (17.4) and 11th in total defense (306.8). In 2009, the Cornhuskers led the country in scoring defense (10.4) and pass efficiency defense, while ranking seventh in total defense (271.3) and eighth in rushing defense (92.43).
Nov. 28, 2008; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebackers coach Mike Ekeler (right) celebrates with Tyler Wortman (53) after Wortman intercepted a pass against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 40-31. / Bruce Thorson-Imagn Images Ekeler has coached more than a dozen players who went on to play in the NFL over the past 15 years. At Nebraska, those names include Lavonte David, Phillip Dillard, Cody Glenn, Eric Martin, and Will Compton.
Ekeler’s Coaching History
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The University of Nebraska football program has announced the addition of Tennessee’s Special Teams Coordinator, Mike Ekeler, to their coaching staff. Ekeler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Huskers, having previously coached at schools such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma.With Ekeler’s proven track record of success in coaching special teams, Nebraska fans can expect to see significant improvements in this area of the game. Special teams play is often overlooked but can have a major impact on the outcome of a game, and Ekeler’s presence will undoubtedly benefit the Huskers in this aspect.
Head coach Scott Frost expressed his excitement about Ekeler joining the coaching staff, stating that he is confident in Ekeler’s ability to elevate the special teams unit and contribute to the overall success of the team. Nebraska fans can look forward to seeing Ekeler’s impact on the field in the upcoming season.
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#Tennessee #Special #Teams #Coordinator #Mike #Ekeler #Joining #Nebraska #FootballTennessee special teams coach Mike Ekeler leaving for Nebraska
Tennessee will have a void to feel on its coaching staff this offseason, after all.
Mike Ekeler, who has served as the Vols’ special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach the last four seasons, is leaving the program for the same role at Nebraska.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
InsideNebraska confirmed reports of Ekeler’s departure Monday.
A Nebraska native, it will be a reunion for Ekeler, who coached at the school as its linebackers coach under former Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini from 2008-10.
Ekeler had assistant coaching stints at Indiana, Southern California, Georgia, North Texas, North Carolina and Kansas before joining Josh Heupel‘s inaugural staff at Tennessee in 2021.
Ekeler was one of three assistant coaches whose contracts were set to expire at the end of January. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks signed an extension with the Vols late last month after leading a top 10 unit on the way to Tennessee’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Ekeler and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez were the remaining coaches who at least had a publicly announced contract extension.
The Vols’ were nearing spring practices without any coaching turnover for the first time in more than four seasons. Tennessee lost wide receivers coach Kodi Burns to the NFL after one season in 2021 and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Alex Golesh took the head coaching job at USF following the Vols’ record-setting season in 2022.
Both running backs coach Jerry Mack and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary left for the same roles in the NFL and Michigan, respectively at the end of the 2023 season.
In three of those cases, Heupel promoted from within, elevating analyst Kelsey Pope to coach wide receivers and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle to offensive coordinator, while moving Alec Abeln from an analyst role to tight ends coach.
Tennessee hired De’Rail Sims away from Louisville to coach running backs and William Inge from Washington to fill the linebackers coach role last offseason.
It remains unclear what direction Heupel will go in to replace Ekeler. The Vols averaged 15.7 yards per punt return in 2024—good for ninth among FBS teams–while allowing 6.7 yards per return.
Tennessee special teams coach Mike Ekeler has announced that he will be leaving the Volunteers to join the coaching staff at Nebraska. Ekeler, who has been with Tennessee since 2018, has helped lead the special teams unit to great success during his time with the program.In a statement, Ekeler expressed his gratitude for his time at Tennessee and his excitement for the opportunity to return to Nebraska, where he previously coached from 2008-2010. He thanked the players, coaches, and fans for their support and said he looks forward to the next chapter in his coaching career.
During his tenure at Tennessee, Ekeler’s special teams unit has been a key part of the team’s success, consistently ranking among the best in the SEC. His departure is sure to be felt by the Volunteers, but Nebraska fans are surely thrilled to welcome him back to the program.
We wish Coach Ekeler the best of luck in his new role at Nebraska and thank him for his contributions to the Tennessee football program.
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#Tennessee #special #teams #coach #Mike #Ekeler #leaving #NebraskaNebraska vs Oregon Predictions, Odds, How to Watch: 2025 NCAAB Picks
The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Oregon is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -280. The total is set at 147.5 points.
Here are my Nebraska vs. Oregon predictions and college basketball picks for February 2, 2025.
Nebraska vs Oregon Prediction
My Pick: Oregon -6 or Better
My Nebraska vs Oregon best bet is on the Ducks spread, with the best odds currently available at BetRivers. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Nebraska vs Oregon Odds, Lines, Pick
Sunday, Feb. 2
7:30 p.m. ET
Big Ten Network
Nebraska Odds Spread Total Moneyline +6.5
-115
147.5
-110 / -110
+230
Oregon Odds Spread Total Moneyline -6.5
-105
147.5
-110 / -110
-280
- Nebraska vs Oregon spread: Oregon -6.5
- Nebraska vs Oregon over/under: 147.5 points
- Nebraska vs Oregon moneyline: Oregon -280, Nebraska +230
- Nebraska vs Oregon best bet: Oregon -6 or Better
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Nebraska bounced back in a big way on Thursday, taking down Illinois in overtime. The Illini were shorthanded, but it was a much-needed win to snap a six-game losing streak.
That said, I don’t trust the Huskers on the road, given they rank 218th nationally in Haslametrics’ away-from-home metric. And this could be a good letdown spot as they travel to the Pacific Northwest following a massive upset win.
Meanwhile, this is a huge bounce-back opportunity for Oregon, as the Ducks are returning home after dropping both legs of their two-game road trip this past week (Minnesota and UCLA).
The situational spot screams Ducks.
The schematic matchup is a little more fuzzy. Oregon loves to work through Nate Bittle in the post, and Nebraska’s compact defense denies the post at one of the nation’s highest rates.
However, the Ducks are no strangers to working inside-out, as they have a bevy of elite shooting guards and wings.
Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers’ compact scheme will allow plenty of open triples, and they’re a horrific pick-and-pop defense, which will allow Bittle those opportunities.
On the other end of the court, Nebraska’s dribble handoff offense could earn some shots against Dana Altman’s amoeba zone defense.
However, the Ducks are also elite in catch-and-shoot denial, which is important against the Huskers, who struggle when Brice Williams isn’t making shots.
Nebraska vs Oregon Predictions, Odds, How to Watch: 2025 NCAAB PicksThe Nebraska Cornhuskers are set to face off against the Oregon Ducks in what promises to be an exciting college basketball matchup. With both teams eager to prove themselves on the court, fans can expect a thrilling game filled with fast-paced action and intense competition.
In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Nebraska has shown improvement in recent seasons and will be looking to make a statement against a tough Oregon team. On the other hand, the Ducks have a strong roster and will be a formidable opponent for the Cornhuskers.
As for the odds, Oregon is currently favored to win this matchup. However, Nebraska shouldn’t be counted out just yet, as they have the potential to pull off an upset and secure a big win on their home court.
If you’re looking to catch all the action, you can watch the game live on ESPN or stream it online through the ESPN app. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, so be sure to tune in and cheer on your favorite team.
In conclusion, this Nebraska vs Oregon showdown is sure to be a must-watch for college basketball fans. With predictions favoring the Ducks, it will be interesting to see if the Cornhuskers can defy the odds and come out on top. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a thrilling and competitive game.
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#Nebraska #Oregon #Predictions #Odds #Watch #NCAAB #PicksNebraska, Matt Rhule plan to scratch Huskers’ spring game amid poaching concerns
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Matt Rhule plans to cancel the Huskers’ spring game in part because of concerns that other programs would use the event to poach his roster.
“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said Saturday. “It’s just absolute free, open, common market. And so I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these (other coaches) all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
Thirty-one players from the Nebraska roster left to enter the transfer portal after the 2024 season, including 12 who have landed at other Power 4 programs. The Huskers have added 15 players from the portal, all of whom are set to participate in spring practice. Thirteen of the 20 incoming freshmen who signed in December are also on campus in Lincoln for the spring.
“To go out and bring in a bunch of new players and then showcase them for all the other schools to watch,” Rhule said, “that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”
The Big Ten Network televised the Nebraska spring game last year. The event attracted a crowd at Memorial Stadium of 60,452. Nebraska has annually drawn one of the largest crowds in college football to its spring game.
Rhule, the third-year Nebraska coach, said he “dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities” after the spring last season. Two scholarship players — reserve defenders Ru’Quan Buckley and Chief Borders — left Nebraska after the spring to enter the portal in April and early May. Buckley landed at Michigan State and Borders at Pitt.
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said on Wednesday that the school would likely still stage something for fans on April 26 at the end of spring practice. It could feature other fall sports teams at the school in something of a preview event, Dannen said.
A shrinking roster as a result of the 105-player limit connected to the NCAA v. House settlement also factors into the likely cancellation. In addition, injury concerns exist. Five Nebraska offensive linemen underwent surgeries after the 2024 season. A year ago, two players suffered knee injuries in the spring game that impacted their readiness to play in the fall.
The elimination of spring games appears on track to become a trend amid the high stakes of revenue sharing and soaring NIL earnings in the portal era. UCF also won’t hold a traditional spring game this year, citing reasons similar to the concerns aired Saturday by Rhule.
Scott Frost, formerly of Nebraska, coaches the Knights.
“It’s like the Home Shopping Network of the spring,” UCF AD Terry Mahajir told the Orlando Sentinel of televised spring games.
Required reading
(Photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)
Nebraska, Matt Rhule plan to scratch Huskers’ spring game amid poaching concernsIn a shocking turn of events, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has announced that the Huskers’ spring game will be scratched due to concerns of poaching by other programs. Rhule, who took over the Nebraska program just a few months ago, has been vocal about his commitment to rebuilding the team and bringing them back to national prominence.
However, with rumors swirling about other programs trying to poach Nebraska’s top recruits, Rhule has made the difficult decision to cancel the spring game in order to protect his players from any potential tampering. This move has sparked controversy among fans and analysts, with some praising Rhule for putting his players’ best interests first, while others criticize him for missing out on a valuable opportunity to showcase the team’s talent.
Despite the cancellation of the spring game, Rhule remains confident in his team’s ability to compete at a high level next season. He has vowed to continue working tirelessly to build a strong program and lead the Huskers to success in the upcoming season.
As the college football world waits to see how this situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Nebraska and Matt Rhule are not backing down in their quest to bring the Huskers back to glory. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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Nebraska coach Matt Rhule ‘highly doubts’ team will have spring game because of the transfer portal
Nebraska’s spring game tradition could be going away. And according to coach Matt Rhule, it’s because of the transfer portal.
Rhule said Saturday that he doubted that Nebraska would have a spring scrimmage on April 26 and was blunt in explaining why he didn’t want to showcase his players.
“I don’t know that yet but I’ll be honest with you, I highly doubt it,” Rhule said when asked if Nebraska would have a spring scrimmage on that date. “And I think it’s really fundamentally, I hate to say it like this, it’s really because last year we were one of the more televised spring games and I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that. So to go out and bring in a bunch of new players and showcase them for all the other schools to watch, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just absolute free open common market and so I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow he looks like a pretty good player, let’s go get him.’”
Nebraska likely won’t have a traditional spring game in 2025. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) Nebraska’s spring game has been a decades-long tradition and is one of the biggest spring games in college football. Huskers fans routinely pack Memorial Stadium for the game and it produced one of the best spring game moments in recent memory when a then-7-year-old Jack Hoffman scored a touchdown during the game.
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said earlier in the week that April 26 would likely feature a “celebration” of the school’s athletes instead of a traditional game.
You can understand why Nebraska is moving away from a spring game in the current era of college sports. Rhule is far from the only college coach who doesn’t want other coaching staffs to see his players right before the spring transfer portal opens.
Don’t be surprised if Nebraska’s move becomes a trend. While coaches are pushing to change transfer window dates, more teams could follow Nebraska and others and change the way they end spring practices as long as there’s a spring transfer window.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers may not have a spring game this year, according to head coach Matt Rhule. In a recent interview, Rhule expressed doubt that the team would be able to hold their annual spring game due to the increasing prevalence of the transfer portal in college football.The transfer portal allows players to explore their options and potentially transfer to a different school without having to sit out a year. This has led to a significant amount of roster turnover for many teams, making it difficult to field a full team for a spring game.
Rhule acknowledged the challenges that the transfer portal presents for college football programs, and indicated that the team may have to adjust their plans for the spring accordingly. While it’s disappointing for fans to potentially miss out on the opportunity to see their team in action during the spring game, Rhule emphasized that the team’s focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and making sure they have a competitive roster.
It remains to be seen whether the Cornhuskers will ultimately be able to hold a spring game this year, but fans can rest assured that the team is working hard to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
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