Three Takeaways from Matt Rhule Announcing Anthony Colandrea as Nebraska's Starting Quarterback
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has named Anthony Colandrea as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season opener against Ohio, marking the beginning of his era with the Huskers.
- Colandrea brings significant experience, having started 31 games across three seasons at Virginia and UNLV, accumulating 61 touchdowns and 45 turnovers, along with 8,693 all-purpose yards.
- The Huskers face a challenging schedule ranked 21st toughest nationally, and Colandrea's mobility, competitiveness, and playmaking ability are seen as key to improving Nebraska's offense and win-loss record.
- The backup quarterback competition remains open, with former starter TJ Lateef and Virginia transfer Daniel Kaelin vying for the No. 2 spot behind Colandrea.
- Nebraska hopes Colandrea’s dual-threat capabilities will enhance red zone efficiency and overall scoring, addressing previous shortcomings and potentially leading to a more dynamic offensive scheme in 2026.
