Earlier this year, Nebraska announced a replacement for its spring football game. The new “Husker Games” would allow fans to preview Nebraska’s football, volleyball, and soccer teams for the 2025 season.
On the football field, the Huskers featured 7-on-7 games and skills competitions similar to the NFL’s Pro Bowl. Nebraska greats from the past also participated in various skills challenges. A women’s flag-football game pitted Midland University against a UNL all-star intramural team.
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Head coach Matt Rhule explained in early February why Nebraska would not continue with a traditional spring game in 2025. He said he didn’t want to expose his team to the outside world, so he devised a format tailored to Nebraska fans’ interests.
The first Husker Games took place April 26. Although football was played, it wasn’t the traditional spring game. The event included a scrimmage and mini-games such as a tractor-tire relay, agility challenge and snapping competition.
The entire squad didn’t compete in every challenge but was fully invested, cheering teammates on.
Donovan Jones and Marques Buford were on the winning tractor-tire relay team. Offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett led his team in the tractor pull, while Kevin Gallic won the snapping competition.
The annual garage sale also took place, and Huskers fans attended despite the format change. About 11,000 tickets were sold, and reporters estimated the crowd at between 8,000 and 9,000—well below the roughly 60,000 who attended the 2024 spring game.
The lower turnout may reflect fans’ expectations of an actual football contest. It remains to be seen whether Rhule will retain this format or revert to a traditional spring game in 2026. He said his primary motivation was preventing poaching and reducing injury risk.
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“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just an absolute free-open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him,’ ” Rhule said in February.
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