Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen: 'Not Going to Call It a Spring Game' for Husker Football

Dannen said Wednesday that changes are coming to the traditional Red-White Spring Game.
The team enters the field prior to the 2024 Nebraska football spring game.
The team enters the field prior to the 2024 Nebraska football spring game. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN
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Troy Dannen's big Wednesday continued on his monthly appearance on Sports Nightly.

After a day filled with commemorative radio booth renames, volleyball coach retirings and hirings, Dannen dropped more information regarding the Nebraska football Red-White Spring Game. The contest marks the final day of spring practices, usually in April or early May.

Dannen said on Sports Nightly that the Husker football program would hold its final spring practice on April 26, but warned fans not to expect the usual game-like event.

Dylan Raiola throws a touchdown pass during the 2024 Nebraska football Red-White spring game.
Dylan Raiola throws a touchdown pass during the 2024 Nebraska football Red-White spring game. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

"I am not going to call it a game," Dannen said. "Do not expect it to be a 'spring game' because I do not expect it to be a game. I don't know what it's going to be yet - really that's Matt (Rhule's) call."

The Huskers annually have held a Red-White scrimmage with two teams competing in a game-like format on the final day of spring practices.

However, with the changes arriving to college football with the new 105-man roster rule, Nebraska has had to trim its past roster that hovered close to 150 players down to 130 for the start of spring practices. Matt Rhule and the Huskers may have elected to opt away from the traditional Spring Game because of the numbers change. Dannen agreed with that philosophy, citing a growing national standard across college football.

Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen speaks at the annual "A Night At The Lied" event April 28, 2024.
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen speaks at the annual "A Night At The Lied" event April 28, 2024. / Nebraska Athletics

"True games as we've know them in the spring are falling by the wayside for a lot of reasons, but there will be something," Dannen said. 

Dannen did add that Nebraska fans would still be included for the final day of spring practices, but exactly what will take place has yet to be determined. One option, he said, is a "fall sports preview" where volleyball, soccer and other athletics would also take part.

"It's going to be the 26th of April, so we can at least circle the date and figure out what that looks like down the line," he said. 

Dante Dowdell breaks free for a 49-yard touchdown run during the 2024 Nebraska football Red-White Spring Game.
Dante Dowdell breaks free for a 49-yard touchdown run during the 2024 Nebraska football Red-White Spring Game. / Cory Edmondson, KFGE

Injuries were a key reason for the change, according to Dannen, who cited a pair of ACL injuries suffered in last year's contest.

"I think the football staff is going to figure out exactly what they want to do over the next few weeks," he said. "Whether it's a seven-on-seven thing or whether he brings some alums back or whether he plays flag football, I don't know, but you know, a de-emphasis on the game part, the contact part."

"It's a different era from a compensation standpoint and the NIL and the investment there," Dannen said. "Transfer portal opens up right after those spring game dates. And so, I expect something that's not not going to be televised, but something that will be a celebration of our athletes. We'll get to see some some skills and see what they've got and then go from there."

For now, fans will have to wait to see what the Huskers will do with their April 26 date.


MORE: Troy Dannen: Hiring Dani Busboom Kelly a 'No Brainer' for Nebraska Volleyball

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MORE: I-80 Club: Special Announcement, John Cook's Retirement, & Nebrasketball's Continued Struggles

MORE: Social Media Reacts to Emotional Nebraska Volleyball Coaching Change

MORE: Dani Busboom Kelly Named New Nebraska Volleyball Coach, Replacing John Cook


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Austin Jacobsen
AUSTIN JACOBSEN

Austin Jacobsen is a radio broadcaster and former Sports Director in Central Nebraska. He has seen the Cornhusker state from all corners; growing up in the Panhandle, completing his college degree in Kearney, working in the rural Sandhills, and now residing in Omaha. Austin is a statewide, regional, and national radio award winner and can usually be found at a high school football field on Friday nights and tuning in to the Huskers wherever they travel. If he is not on the road, Austin enjoys movie dates with his girlfriend and their dog, Ava.