Nebraska faces Bowling Green with strong running game but vulnerable defense
Nebraska enters Saturday night’s game against Bowling Green as a 29.5-point favorite, relying on its rushing attack, while the Falcons look to leverage quarterback Jay Kastantin’s performance after a narrow opening-season loss.
Nebraska will host Bowling Green on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium, with the Huskers listed as 29.5-point favorites. The Cornhuskers aim to build on a solid win over Ohio, highlighted by a 248-yard rushing effort that averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Freshman Jamal Rule contributed 122 yards on 15 carries, while Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee added 64 and 31 yards respectively, suggesting the Huskers could exploit Bowling Green’s run defense, which gave up 250 yards to an FCS opponent last week.
Bowling Green, coming off a 20-13 loss to FCS Tarleton State, will look to rebound with junior quarterback Jay Kastantin, who completed 24 of 30 passes for 262 yards in his debut. The Falcons posted 366 total yards against Tarleton State, ranking second in the Mid-American Conference for offense, and did not allow a sack in that game. Coach Eddie George, a former Heisman Trophy winner, hopes his team can improve on a 4-8 record from the previous season.
Nebraska’s defense, which struggled early against Ohio before adjusting, will feature linebacker Owen Chambliss, who was inactive in the prior game. The Huskers also count on a supportive home crowd for their first night game of the season. Meanwhile, Bowling Green’s success may hinge on Kastantin’s ability to out-perform Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea and on limiting turnovers.
Both teams enter the matchup with contrasting recent performances: Nebraska holds a national ranking of 58th, while Bowling Green sits at 134th according to The Athletic. The outcome will likely depend on whether Nebraska can sustain its ground game and defensive adjustments, or if the Falcons can capitalize on their quarterback’s early productivity.