LINCOLN — Look, we talked about this in the offseason. You should be prepared for the takes. You may share the takes yourself.

“Nebraska didn’t prove anything. They haven’t played anybody. They’re still the same old team and they’ll do the same old stuff.”

You’ll get no argument from me that these first three opponents were overmatched. But if you claim that these games didn’t reveal anything, I’m gonna go ahead and disagree with you there.

As NU methodically took down a top-10 FCS team in North Dakota, 34-7, there were improvements as well as continued successes. While the competition will ratchet up starting next Saturday in East Lansing, there is still plenty to take away from this game and each of the three non-con wins.

Yes. For the first time since the 2012 season, Nebraska has surpassed 200 rushing yards in each of its first three games. Tip of the cap to my guy Eric at Arbitrary Analytics for pointing this out during the 4th quarter. It’s a credit to the much-hyped transfer offensive guards Paul Mubenga and Brendan Black. It’s a credit to returning starters Justin Evans, Elijah Pritchett, and Gunnar Gottula. Credit is, of course, due to new offensive line coach Geep Wade and run game coordinator Lonnie Teasley for coaching them up.

And how about the much-maligned inexperienced running backs? Jamal Rule – a true freshman, mind you – churned out 119 more yards on the ground and found the end zone a couple more times. He’s up to 329 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus another 82 yards and a score receiving.

Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee have proven capable of gaining yards and keeping the offense moving. Anthony Colandrea has the ability to threaten defenses with his legs from the quarterback spot, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the season against North Dakota.

You can’t run it against Big Ten teams if you don’t do it in non-conference play. It’ll be more difficult going forward, but they have the pieces to be effective.

I’m not convinced yet, but Saturday was a step in the right direction, as the Blackshirts came away with five sacks against the Fighting Hawks. That’s more than the combined four in the first two games.

And yet, nine sacks is an average of three per game. They could keep that pace against Big Ten teams, but I’m skeptical. NU would need to consistently have game control by getting leads in the first three quarters and forcing teams into obvious passing downs. I’m sure defensive coordinator Rob Aurich has more exotic looks and blitzes he’ll fire off in closer games. But I’ll remain in “show me” mode until they do it against Michigan State and Maryland.

This, like the run game question, is a yes for me. I was mildly concerned about whether North Dakota had bottled up the Husker ground attack as NU only rushed for 22 yards in a stagnant 2nd quarter. I asked the question aloud on social media.

Jamal Rule took the first offensive touch after halftime to the house from 55 yards out. It was part of 143 second-half rushing yards. Question immediately answered.

In the few moments of adversity facing this team through three games, they’ve done what you would expect of them against lesser foes. Trailing Ohio 13-7 and needing to make a play, Colandrea fired a perfect pass on the run from his own end zone to Kwazi Gilmer to kick-start the go-ahead touchdown drive. Ohio cuts it to one score in the 4th quarter? Answer again. Struggling on offense against North Dakota after those first two scoring drives? Blackshirts stopped their first nine 3rd-down attempts to keep them off the scoreboard until late in the 3rd quarter.

You can check the KLIN Husker Hour tape. I have been counting down the days to Big Ten play before making any wild declarations about the 2026 Husker football team. I’d say we only really know about 20-25% of what this team is capable of.

But we do know that much.