Nebraska Football's Red-White Spring Game Highlights Talent, Attendance Concerns

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea shines, but low turnout raises questions about fan enthusiasm ahead of Huskers' toughest season under coach Matt Rhule.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:19pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of red, white, and black depicts the motion and chaos of a Nebraska football game, with sharp lines and overlapping shapes representing the players and action on the field.A cubist interpretation of the action on the field at Nebraska's Red-White Spring Game captures the energy and intensity of the annual intrasquad scrimmage.Lincoln Today

The annual Red-White Spring Game in Lincoln provided a glimpse of Nebraska's talent, with quarterback Anthony Colandrea impressing with his quick decision-making and strong arm. However, the game's low attendance of just over 27,000 raised concerns about waning fan enthusiasm, despite the Huskers' back-to-back bowl game appearances. The earlier-than-usual spring game date, competing with the basketball team's March Madness run, and a 'prove-it' mindset among fans were cited as potential factors behind the lackluster turnout.

Why it matters

Nebraska's spring game is a barometer for fan interest and excitement ahead of the upcoming season. The low attendance numbers suggest the Husker faithful may be growing impatient, despite the program's recent progress under coach Matt Rhule. This could impact ticket sales, donations, and overall support for the team as they prepare to face their toughest schedule in Rhule's tenure.

The details

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea solidified his status as the clear starter, showcasing his quick processing, mobility, and improved deep ball. However, he did throw one interception while trying to force a pass across his body. Redshirt sophomore TJ Lateef appears to be the second-best QB on the roster, though the coaching staff may opt to redshirt him this season. True freshman running back Jamal Rule was the standout performer, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. The special teams unit also showed promise, with the kickers combining to go 4-for-4 on field goals and punter Archie Wilson bouncing back after a rough end to 2025.

  • The Red-White Spring Game took place on March 28, 2026, earlier than usual.
  • Temperatures at kickoff were around 46 degrees with a chilly wind, potentially impacting attendance.

The players

Anthony Colandrea

The clear starting quarterback for Nebraska, Colandrea impressed with his quick decision-making and strong arm, though he did throw one interception.

TJ Lateef

The redshirt sophomore appears to be the second-best quarterback on the roster, though the coaching staff may opt to redshirt him this season.

Jamal Rule

The true freshman running back was the standout performer, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries.

Archie Wilson

The punter bounced back after a rough end to the 2025 season, averaging 41.4 yards per punt with three downed inside the 20-yard line.

Matt Rhule

The Nebraska head coach is entering his fourth season and facing his toughest schedule yet, as the team looks to build on back-to-back bowl game appearances.

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What they’re saying

“The focus on other Husker sports this time of year hasn't been a bad thing for my program. It has been business as usual, with more emphasis on taking care of the business that is improving for a fall football slate that projects to be the toughest in my tenure in Lincoln.”

— Matt Rhule, Head Coach

What’s next

The coaching staff will continue to evaluate the quarterback competition and running back depth chart as they prepare for the upcoming season. The low spring game attendance will also be a point of emphasis, as the team looks to re-engage the fan base ahead of their toughest schedule under Rhule.

The takeaway

While Nebraska's talent on the field showed promise, the low spring game turnout highlights the need for the Huskers to re-energize their fan base. With a challenging schedule on the horizon, the team will need strong support from the Cornhusker faithful to reach their goals in 2026.