Tad Stryker

Tad Stryker

Joined: May 18, 2021

Tad Stryker, whose earliest memories of Nebraska football take in the last years of the Bob Devaney era, has covered Nebraska collegiate and prep sports for 40 years. Before moving to Lincoln, he was a sports writer, columnist and editor for two newspapers in North Platte. He can identify with fans who listen to Husker sports from a tractor cab and those who watch from a sports bar. A history buff, Stryker has written for HuskerMax since 2008. You can reach Tad at tad.stryker@gmail.com.

Anthony Colandrea uses the blocking of center Justin Evans (51) and guard Paul Mubenga (65) to gain yardage last week against Michigan State.

Husker linebacker Vincent Shavers tackles Michigan State wide receiver Chrishon McCray during the fourth quarter.

Williams Nwaneri disrupts North Dakota wide receiver Korey Tai on a fourth-down trick play from the Nebraska 10, helping NU make its first red zone stop in more than a year.

Bowling Green running back Ke'marion Baldwin is dragged down by Nebraska linebacker Pierce Mooberry.

Anthony Colandrea hands off to Jamal Rule during the first quarter.

Football

200 yards apiece rushing and passing lights the way for Nebraska as Colandrea shines

Anthony Colandrea hands off to Isaiah Mozee during the fourth quarter. The Huskers rushed for 95 yards in the final 15 minutes.

Football

The 49-21 win to open the season raised some concerns, but Nebraska's 248-yard rushing total certainly wasn't one of them.

Jacory Barney Jr. returns a punt 57 yards against Michigan State last season.

Football

A hundred fans took a crack at predicting the Huskers' top touchdown producer for 2026. There was a winner but nothing resembling a consensus.

Geep Wade on the sideline during the 2026 Nebraska spring game

Football

If the Huskers finally become a force to be reckoned with in 2026, it will not be primarily because of quarterback Anthony Colandrea and his stable of pass catchers. It will happen because Big Ten defenses are getting softened up by Geep Wade’s maulers.

Nebraska defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel (5) blocks a field goal last season against Akron.

Football

Riley Van Poppel holds the key to a bounce-back season for the Blackshirts.

Brendan Sorsby talks to coaches during Texas Tech's spring football game in mid-April.

Football

An NCAA without enforcement power will eventually lead college sports into chaos and irrelevance

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule huddles with the offense during the 2026 Red-White Spring Game.

Football

Will a lack of expectations for Matt Rhule’s fourth season turn out to be a blessing in disguise?

Matt Rhule has made his share of mistakes, but he's building a strong culture, he makes needed adjustments and he is Nebraska football's best path forward.

Football

A deconstruction squad resides in the Husker football fan base. They have grown more vocal this offseason, but they need to look beyond their short-term urges. Let’s not write off the 2026 season just yet.

Ndamukong Suh was a one-man wrecking crew in the 2009 Big Ten Championship game, registering 4½ sacks during the Huskers' controversial 13-12 loss to Texas and quarterback Colt McCoy.

The cerebral and destructive defensive tackle is a rare Husker treasure who now gains official status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Tad Stryker reflects on Suh’s career and his jaw-dropping 2009 season.

The Huskers had no answer for Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, who passed for 310 yards and ran for 148.

The Utes' physical domination reveals profound issues at line of scrimmage for the Big Red to correct during the offseason.

Celebrations for Nebraska offensive lineman like Gunnar Gottula (77) and Henry Lutovsky (59) were too few and far between in 2025.

The Huskers’ focus this offseason is fixing the offensive and defensive lines. Everything else is gravy.

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski outrushed and outpassed his counterpart, TJ Lateef.

A feeble finish, including Friday's ugly loss to Iowa, freezes the trust and momentum Rhule had built.