LINCOLN, Neb. — Head coach Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers face a high-stakes test today at Memorial Stadium against Maryland with a reshuffled deck. The official Big Ten Availability Report has locked in the final medical statuses ahead of Nebraska’s crucial Homecoming clash, leaving the coaching staff forced to adjust their rotations on short notice as key playmakers are officially sidelined.
With kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM CT on FS1, the injury bug has hit Nebraska’s secondary and linebacker core particularly hard, testing the team’s depth in front of a packed home crowd.
Nebraska Official Availability Status: Who Is Out and Questionable?
Coach Rhule’s depth chart will be pushed to its limits today as several key rotational pieces and young talents have been ruled out or remain game-time decisions:
Out (Ruled Out for Today’s Game)
- Carter Nelson (TE): The dynamic freshman tight end is officially out after suffering a leg injury following his first reception of the season.
- Bryson Webber (DB): The secondary depth piece was officially downgraded to out on the eve of kickoff.
- Khamir Prescott (DB): Sidelined for today’s matchup, further thinning defensive backfield options.
- Tanner Terch (DB): Ruled out for the Homecoming showdown.
- Gage Stenger (LB): Sidelined, taking a hit on special teams and linebacker rotation.
- Jacob Bower (LB): Officially listed as out on the pregame report.
- Jase Reynolds (LB): Sidelined for today’s Big Ten contest.
Game-Time Decisions & Defensive Upgrades
- Rex Guthrie (S) — Questionable: The safety, who started earlier this season, remains a true game-time decision prior to kickoff.
- Jordan Ochoa (DL) — Upgraded to Probable: In a major boost to Rhule’s defensive line rotation, the edge rusher was upgraded from questionable to probable, providing critical pass-rushing depth.
Game Day Information & What to Expect
- Matchup: Maryland Terrapins at Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Kickoff Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET
- Location: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
- TV / Radio: FS1 | Huskers Radio Network + SiriusXM
With significant roster adjustments required across the defense, today’s Homecoming matchup will come down to next-man-up execution, defensive discipline, and how efficiently Nebraska’s backups respond under the national spotlight.