Flag football has been added to the NCAA's Emerging Sports for Women program and four other women's sports were elevated to championship status, the NCAA announced Friday.

Flag football has been one of the fastest-growing sports at the youth, high school and collegiate levels and will debut as an Olympic sport for men and women in 2028.

There were about 40 NCAA schools with women's flag football teams in 2025, and the NCAA projected 60 could be competing this spring.

Nebraska on Friday announced it would be the first power conference school to add flag football as a varsity women's sport, with competition beginning in the spring of 2028.

The new championship sports are acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling and Division III women's wrestling.

“This moment reflects the growth of college sports, as schools continue to provide a record number of scholarships and opportunities across the NCAA," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “By expanding championship opportunities, we celebrate the remarkable momentum of women’s sports, ensuring more student-athletes have the chance to compete for national titles, represent their institutions and inspire future generations.”

To become a championship sport, a minimum of 40 schools must sponsor the sport at the varsity level and meet contest and participation requirements.

At Nebraska, women's flag football would be the first sport added since beach volleyball in 2013. The season will run from January to May. Nebraska will immediately begin a coaching search and plans to have a roster of 20-25 players.

Huskers Take Down No. 9 Minnesota

BY: NU Athletic Communications

With a key pin from Antrell Taylor to give the Huskers an extra six points, the No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten) earned a 20-12 victory over No. 9 Minnesota (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) on Friday night. 

The top-10 matchup opened at 125, where Alan Koehler dropped a 4-1 decision to No. 9 Jore Volk. The Huskers responded at 133 as No. 9 Jacob Van Dee collected his ninth straight dual victory, using an early escape to secure a 1-0 decision over Brandon Morvari. 

With the team score tied at 3-3, true freshman Jake Hockaday made his first career Husker start at 141, stepping in to give Brock Hardy a midseason rest. Hockaday battled throughout the bout, but No. 10 Vance VomBaur pulled away with a late takedown to earn a 7-2 decision. 

At 149, Nikade Zinkin battled it out with No. 25 Drew Roberts, scoring three escapes before falling by decision, 6-3, giving Minnesota a 9-3 lead.

The Big Red answered at 157 as fifth-ranked Antrell Taylor faced No. 19 Charlie Millard. The pair were scoreless through the first period before exchanging escapes in the second. Trailing 5-3 in the third after Millard secured a takedown, Taylor delivered a dominant finish, scoring a takedown in the final seconds and turning it into a match tying pin to even the team score, 9-9. The pin marked Taylor’s third of the season and second consecutive dual decided by fall.

After the intermission, No. 8 LJ Araujo kept the Huskers’ momentum rolling, recording a pair of  takedowns and escapes while adding riding time to secure a 9-2 decision over No. 11 Andrew Sparks. 

Next, No. 6 Christopher Minto faced No. 22 Ethan Riddle. Minto recorded a takedown in each period to control the bout and earn an 11-4 decision victory.  

In a top-10 bout at 184, No. 9 Silas Allred met No. 3 Max McEnelly for the second time in their careers. After McEnelly defeated Allred in last season’s meeting, the pair went scoreless through the first two periods before exchanging escapes in the third to force overtime. McEnelly secured a takedown in sudden victory to claim a 4-1 decision. 

With a 15-12 Nebraska lead, No. 12 Camden McDanel sealed a 7-2 decision over No. 24 Gavin Nelson with a third period takedown. 

The dual closed at heavyweight, where No. 4 AJ Ferrari collected an escape in the second period before No. 10 Koy Hopke matched it with an escape in the third. Ferrari’s riding time sealed a 2-1 decision.  

Up Next
The Huskers return to the Devaney Center to host No. 4 Iowa on Friday, Jan. 23. The top-10 matchup is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on BTN. 

No. 6 Nebraska 20, No. 9 Minnesota 12 
125: #9 Jore Volk dec. Alan Koehler 4-1 (NEB 0, MINN 3)
133: #9 Jacob Van Dee dec. Brandon Morvari 1-0 (NEB 3, MINN 3)
141: #10 Vance VomBaur dec. Jake Hockaday 7-2 (NEB 3, MINN 6)
149: #25 Drew Roberts dec. Nikade Zinkin 6-3 (NEB 3, MINN 9)
157: #5 Antrell Taylor pinned #19 Charlie Millard 7:00 (NEB 9, MINN 9)
165: #8 LJ Araujo dec. #11 Andrew Sparks 9-2 (NEB 12, MINN 9)
174: #6 Christopher Minto dec. #22 Ethan Riddle 11-4 (NEB 15, MINN 9)
184: #3 Max McEnelly dec. #9 Silas Allred SV-1, 4-1 (NEB 15, MINN 12)
197: #12 Camden McDanel dec. #24 Gavin Nelson 7-2 (NEB 18, MINN 12)
HWT: #4 AJ Ferrari dec. #10 Koy Hopke 2-1 (NEB 21, MINN 12)
*Unsportsmanlike Conduct: -1 Nebraska team point
Final Team Score: Nebraska 20, Minnesota 12

Huskers Add Defensive Assistant Coaches

Nebraska Head Football Coach Matt Rhule announced today the hiring of Corey Brown and Miles Taylor to the Husker coaching staff. Brown will serve as the Huskers’ defensive line coach, while Taylor will tutor the safety position.

Brown comes to Nebraska with 20 years of experience as a defensive assistant, including 18 seasons as a defensive line coach. He has spent the past three seasons as the defensive line coach at Miami (Ohio).

“Corey Brown is a huge hire for our football program,” Rhule said. “Corey’s defensive lines have consistently played at an elite level throughout his career. His lines at Miami (Ohio) have been among the nation’s best at producing sacks and affecting the passer. Corey is a great teacher, he thinks the game of football at a high level and brings Big Ten experience to our staff.”

Brown is known for producing defensive lines who excel at creating pressure to disrupt opposing offenses. Miami (Ohio) ranked in the top 25 nationally in sacks in two of Brown’s final three seasons, which also helped the RedHawks finish in the top 15 nationally in scoring defense both seasons.

Brown is also a proven developer of talent. In his three seasons on the Miami (Ohio) staff before he came to Nebraska, Brown produced a different first-team all-conference defensive linemen each year. Brown has also coached a player who ranked in the top 25 nationally in either sacks or tackles for loss each of his last three seasons.

In addition to two stints at Miami (Ohio), Brown has experience at South Dakota and spent time at Rutgers in the Big Ten. He played collegiately at Iowa from 1995 to 1999.

“I am thankful for and excited about the opportunity to coach at the University of Nebraska,” Brown said. “This is a tradition-rich program with great leadership, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Taylor joins the Husker defensive staff after spending the 2025 season as a coaching fellow for the Los Angeles Chargers. He helped the team to an AFC playoff appearance and the Chargers ranked in the top five in the NFL in both passing and total defense.

Before his time with the Chargers, Taylor spent five seasons as the defensive backs coach at South Dakota, where he worked for two seasons with new Husker defensive coordinator Rob Aurich.

“Miles Taylor has made a fast rise in the coaching profession, and we are excited for him to join our defensive staff,” Rhule said. “This past year he got experience coaching players at the highest level in the National Football League. Miles had great success during his time at South Dakota, helping elevate their program and specifically the pass defense. He has experience working with Rob Aurich and will be a great fit at Nebraska.”

Taylor’s USD defensive backs played a key role in the Coyotes’ success in Vermillion. USD reached FCS playoffs in 2021, and then had deep playoff runs in 2023 and 2024, when the Coyotes reached the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

Taylor began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa in 2018 and 2019, helping the Hawkeyes to a 9-4 record in 2018 and a 10-3 campaign in 2019. Taylor played at Iowa where he played in 50 games for the Hawkeyes and finished his career with 169 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery.

“It is an honor to be joining Coach Rhule’s staff at Nebraska,” Taylor said. “I am excited to work with Coach Aurich and the defensive staff to help push the players to become the best they can possibly be on and off the field. GBR!”

Leeling finishes third at Day One of the Graduate Classic

Berlyn Schutz continues to rewrite the record books, crushing the 3000m record en route to winning the event title with a time of 9:06.41. Ali Bainbridge tabbed a silver medal finish to the impressive outing by the Husker women with a time of 9:25.61.

All eyes were on the five Husker men who claimed the top five spots in the men’s weight throw competition. Noa Isaia took the event title with the sixth-best throw in school history (21.47m, 70-5 ¼). Seth Schnakenberg threw an impressive 20.75m (68-1) to claim second, and Brett Schwartz finished third with his mark of 19.59m (64-3 ¼). Supporting this dominant showing for the men was Gustav Rydaker in fourth with a throw of 19.01m (62-4 ½) and Cade Moran, who took fifth with a throw of 18.64m (61-2).

Kelsie Belquist led off the day in a big way for the Huskers with a new personal best and top-eight time in the NCAA (53.97) in the women’s 400m to win the event title. Sakena Massiah (55.61) and Abrielle Artley (55.87) finished in third and fourth, respectively. 

Emmanuel Rwotomiya added a 400m title of his own on the men’s side, running 47.91, which is good for second in the Big Ten. Jaccoric Allen earned a fourth-place finish, running 48.28. 

Mason Kooi took the men’s high jump title, clearing 2.17m (7-1 ½). Desire Tonye Nyemeck came in fourth, clearing 2.14m (7–0 ¼). Ela Velepec took the title for women’s high jump, clearing 1.80m (5-10 ¾). Karsyn Leeling cleared 1.74m (5-8 ½), finishing third. Ava Goetz took fourth, clearing 1.70m (5-7).

Kellyn Kortemeyer threw 19.70m (64-7 ¾) to claim third place in the women’s weight throw competition. Fellow Husker, Donna Douglas, followed closely with a mark of 19.66m (64-6) to bring home fourth place.

Huskers swept the men’s mile podium, led by Gabe Nash, crossing the line in a personal best, 4:08.85. Grant Wasserman strided to second place with a new PR time of 4:10.14, and Dennis Chapman capped off this dominant performance with a time of 4:12.65.

Kate Campos posted a second-place finish for the Husker women in the women’s 60m hurdle race with a time of 8.45. Grace Parsons followed with a fifth-place finish, running 9.09. Brayden Bergkamp grabbed a third-place finish on the men’s side, running 8.22.

With a new personal record of 6.83 in the men’s 60m, Ashriel Dixon took first place. Following by just a hundredth of a second, Kavian Kerr (6.84) claimed second. Elo Blessing Okpah took fourth in the women's 60m, running a 7.60. 

Ronaldo Andrews jumped to a third-place finish in the men’s long jump with a mark of 7.03m (23-0 ¾).