Lincoln, Neb. – At the Hawks Championship Center on Monday, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule addressed the media ahead of the Huskers’ Week 9 matchup with the Washington Huskies. After a bye week, Rhule emphasized that every member of the program must improve to compete with a ranked opponent.
Injury updates and player availability
Rhule confirmed that defensive back Jamir Conn, who missed the 17‑14 loss at Oregon, will be listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. He also provided an update on Anthony Jones Jr., who played on a broken foot against the Ducks. Jones has undergone surgery but remains hopeful to return before the regular season ends.
Washington’s recent struggles
The Huskies, led by first‑year head coach Jedd Fisch, enter the contest with a 4‑3 record and a 1‑3 mark in Big Ten play. Starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. suffered a rib injury against Iowa and did not play in the win at Purdue. Backup Elijah Brown has taken over, throwing for 578 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions in limited action.
Key matchups to watch
Nebraska will look to lean on its ground game against a Washington defense that has allowed just 131.1 rushing yards per game. Conversely, the Huskies have forced 11 turnovers this season, including nine interceptions, with defensive backs Alex McLaughlin, Rylon Dillard‑Allen and Jeron Jones each recording two picks.
Washington’s passing attack ranks 20th nationally, and the team’s leading receivers average 69 yards per game through the air. Nebraska’s secondary, featuring Dezmen Roebuck and Chris Lawson, will need to stay disciplined, especially if Jamir Conn is unable to play.
Predictions and outlook
Local analysts project a Nebraska victory, with several score forecasts ranging from 31‑21 to 34‑19 in favor of the Huskers. A win would improve Nebraska’s standing in the Big Ten and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Fans can watch the full press conference on the KLKN website for additional insights from Coach Rhule and his staff.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
