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Nebraska is not expecting to conduct a traditional Red-White spring game in 2025

On3 imageby:Sean Callahan•about 22 hours•

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Nebraska AD Troy Dannen (Photo credit: Casey Fritton/HuskerOnline)

As if the breaking news of John Cook’s retirement and Dani Busboom Kelly’s hiring weren’t enough on Wednesday, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen shared some other significant news.

During his monthly radio show on the Husker Sports Network, Dannen said that NU would conduct its final spring football practice on April 26 but did not expect it to be in a traditional Red-White Game format.

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“I am not going to call it a spring game,” Dannen said. “And do not call it a spring game because I do not expect it to be a game. I don’t know what it’s going to be just yet. Really, that’s going to be Matt (Rhule’s) call.

“I will say true games as we’ve known them in the spring have fallen by the wayside for a lot of reasons. There will be something. I’m internally thinking more of a fall sports preview and maybe engaging volleyball or soccer in some way, shape, or form. Really celebrate the fall sports and whet the appetite for what lies ahead. The football staff will figure out what they want to do over the next few weeks. It’s going to be the 26th of April, and at least we can circle the date there, then figure out what that looks like down the line.”

Spring games everywhere seem to be dying in 2025

Don’t expect Nebraska to be the only school in the country to not have a spring game in 2025. The numbers don’t add up between roster cutdowns and rising NIL and revenue share costs.

Many schools will often find themselves short on bodies in one or two key position groups during the spring, along with the rising investment of paying players.

“One of my first experiences here last year, we had two ACL (knee injuries) during that game,” Dannen said. “It’s a different era from a compensation standpoint from the NIL and the investment there. The transfer portal opens up right after the spring game dates.

“I expect something that’s not going to be televised, but something that will be a celebration of our athletes and get to see some skills and see what they got, and go from there.”

As for the format, Dannen said head coach Matt Rhule and his staff will spend the weeks ahead to determine that.

The spring game at Nebraska has always been a celebration of the greatest fans in college football. Dannen wants that tradition to continue, even if not in a traditional game format.

“I don’t know if (Rhule) wants to wait until he gets into practice a little bit to see exactly what he gets out of it,” Dannen said. “Whether it’s a seven-on-seven thing, or he brings some alums back, or he plays flag football? I don’t know.”

NU is expected to begin spring practice on the week of March 24.

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