With Nebraska finally off a bye and ready to get back to work, it turns out one of its better defensive linemen is ready to get back to work as well. Is Riley Van Poppel playing against Washington on Halloween night?
While the answer could still change in the Huskers final Big Ten Availability report later on Saturday, for now, the answer looks to be an emphatic yes. Van Poppel has moved from questionable to probable to not even on the availability report this week.
Nebraska sent the message that the defender, who missed both the Indiana and Oregon games with an injury, will be back in the trenches against a Washington team that absolutely loves to throw the ball. Having another veteran defender who can rush the passer can only help the Cornhuskers try and get a Blackout win on Saturday night.
Van Poppel isn't the only Husker who started the week looking like he might not play and is ending it almost certainly ready to go. Running back Isaiah Mozee was doubtful for most of the week but by Friday's report he was also nowhere to be seen. A player that's not even listed on the report is assumed to be playing in the upcoming contest.
Riley Van Poppel looks to return for Nebraska on Saturday night
There is still some bad news for the Huskers, though it would be a fun trick if Matt Rhule decided to fake out the Washington Huskies and annouced that offensive lineman Gunnar Gottula and safety Jamir Conn were actually healthy and could play. However, it's likely rules about the report make it so that someone listed as "out" on Friday can't be completely off the report on Saturday.
Conn's been dealing with a lower leg injury for several weeks and will miss Saturday's showdown. Gottula suffered a concussion against Oregon but was trending to play until Thursday when he was sucdenly marked down as "out."
On the Washington side of the field, the Huskies listed quarterback Demond Williams as doubtful earlier in the week, but he's moved to probable as the game has gotten closer. Earlier this week, UW head coach Jedd Fisch said he wouldn't announce whether Williams or Elijah Brown were the starting quarterback against the Huskers. He's stuck to his word as there's been no news even leaking out.
Nebraska will take on Washington at 7 p.m. on Saturday night with a Blackout planned to mark the occasion. The Huskers will be in black and red uniforms, the fans will have black balloons to release on the first NU score and the middle of the field has been given a Halloween Blackout theme as well.
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