Six games into the 2025 season, there’s little doubt about which Nebraska coach brings the most juice to the team, and if you clicked on this story, you already know who it is. After years of inconsistent special teams play, Mike Ekeler’s impact in his first season at the helm has been nothing short of transformative.
At the midway point of the season, Nebraska’s return units have already piled up nearly 60 more yards than they did across all 13 games in 2024. The difference lies not just in production, but in attitude. On 18 punt returns this fall, the Huskers have totaled 266 yards, consistently setting the offense up with shorter fields. For comparison, last year’s group under Ed Foley managed only 15 returns for 73 yards all season. That’s nearly 10 more yards per return and two additional attempts per game, a reflection of a unit that’s more aggressive, confident, and opportunistic.
As Ekeler put it, “The standard is to be the best.” His words capture exactly what he’s brought to Nebraska: relentless energy, confidence, and a lunch-pail mentality. Joining Sports Nightly host Kyle Crooks, here’s everything Ekeler had to say about his group’s resurgence and the mindset driving it…