Ohio Football Opens 2026 Season Against Nebraska

Series History and the Frank Solich Connection

Saturday’s game marks the first meeting between the Bobcats and the Cornhuskers. Despite the lack of prior matchups on the field, the two institutions share a deep connection through former head coach Frank Solich. Solich spent 41 total seasons at Nebraska as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach, compiling a 58-19 record while capturing the 1999 Big 12 Championship and reaching the 2001 BCS National Championship Game. Following his tenure in Lincoln, Solich joined the Ohio Bobcats coaching staff in 2005 and was head coach through the 2020 season. He finished his career as the winningest coach in MAC history, securing 115 overall wins and 77 conference victories. Under his leadership, Ohio reached 11 bowl games and earned the first five bowl victories in program history.

Scouting the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska enters the opening contest following a 2025 campaign where the team finished 7-6 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play, averaging 23.5 points, 154.5 rushing yards, and 218.8 passing yards per game. The Cornhuskers offense is led by junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea, a transfer from UNLV. Colandrea earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors last season after passing for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns. Ohio is already familiar with the Nebraska signal-caller. The Bobcats previously faced Colandrea during a 17-10 victory over UNLV in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, holding him to 184 passing yards and one interception. Blocking for Colandrea is senior center Justin Evans, who brings 31 career starts into the lineup, while junior wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. returns after pulling down 45 receptions for 484 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. Defensively, Nebraska added linebacker Owen Chambliss via transfer from San Diego State, where he posted 110 tackles and earned First Team All-Mountain West honors. Rex Guthrie and Donovan Jones return to anchor a secondary that finished third nationally in pass defense last season. Senior kicker Kyle Cunanan also returns after pacing the team with 93 points last year, converting 16 of 19 field goals and all 45 extra-point attempts.

Broadcast and Radio Coverage

Viewers can watch the game on Fox Sports One, with Eric Collins and Spencer Tillman providing the commentary. Listeners can follow the radio broadcast on The Varsity Sports Network. Veteran Ohio radio personality Marty Bannister returns to call the action alongside color analyst Rob Cornelius, who has spent more than two decades on the Ohio broadcast team.