While most of the state of Nebraska is excited for Saturday’s visit from the legendary Indiana Hoosiers, the game will have special meaning for one Husker.
Nebraska offensive lineman Gunnar Gottula is a Lincoln guy and yes, he’s ready to go out and see how his 5-0 team competes against the 5-0 seventh-ranked Hoosiers.
Nebraska and Indiana will have more at stake than someone with a 6-0 record. The Hoosiers have already accomplished what the Huskers want. For Nebraska and coach Matt Rhule, it’s an opportunity to show the state, the Big Ten and the nation that Husker football is back.
Knocking out Indiana, of course, would be a huge accomplishment for any team, but especially the Huskers.
Gottula, who appears to be moving from right tackle to left guard on Saturday, attended Lincoln Southeast High. This confrontation therefore matters as much to him as to anyone else.
“It’s really important to me,” Gottula said at a news conference Tuesday. “That’s why I came to Nebraska to play in big games like this and represent where I come from. So I’m excited to do this with my teammates.”
Indiana, which has taken the college football world by storm the past two seasons under coach Curt Cignetti, comes into Memorial Stadium as a 7½-point favorite, according to FanDuel. Game time is 11 a.m. and the game will be broadcast on FOX.
If Husker fans can’t wait to see the game, imagine how Gottula and his teammates feel.
Hoosiers present problems
But Indiana, phew. What a challenge.
“They have a great team,” said Gottula, who has already switched positions. “Excellent back seven. They do a lot of things very well.
“They’re playing really hard. I think ultimately it’s just going to come down to our preparation and attention to detail this week and it’s just going to be about playing as hard as we can and executing.
“The biggest thing you see is… they have great technique. So, I think… it’s just going to be a matter of focusing on how hard we can play, trying to outplay them. You know, that’s what they’re pretty good at.”
Nebraska got to its 5-0 record with two wins against MAC teams, one win against an FCS team and two wins against Big Ten teams — Michigan State and Maryland — that shouldn’t be a factor in the conference.
Indiana is the test. And that’s a huge problem.
“It’s been great preparation (the first five games),” Gottula said. “Early into this season. I think we’ve done a lot of good things and I think there’s a lot of things we’ve learned from over these first five games. And I think the biggest thing for us is just paying a lot of attention to detail this week and executing at a high level and making sure we’re all playing our best.”
Gottula was asked about the Huskers’ ability to have a next-play mentality after a turnover. This could be crucial in a match against such a quality opponent.
“That’s what coach Ruhle and all the coaches have been preaching since we got here this winter, it’s just a next play mentality,” Gottula said.
“What’s next? So I think as a team we’ve done a really good job of attacking that and taking that mentality.”
Make the change
Switching Gottula, who returned this season after missing the last six games in 2025 with what was described as a cartilage/meniscus issue, from right tackle to left guard opens up more playing time for tackle Tree Babalade, a transfer from South Carolina.
“Tree did a wonderful job,” Gottula said. “I’m proud to be his teammate. He plays really hard and he’s done a really good job this whole year.
“Once I got to know him, he does a really good job with his process and week in and week out, he works hard and has really great attention to detail. So, you know, I’m really proud of him.”
Gottula, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound senior, was asked what the hardest part of changing positions was.
“I’m an older player now, so I’m nice about missions and knowing who’s blocking what and the schemes,” Gottula said.
“I’ve kind of figured that out. So, it’s not really a challenge for me. I think sometimes just switching the sides, left, right, can make the biggest difference.
“It’s just kind of muscle memory, whatever team you play on. But I’m comfortable in both places. I’ve played on both teams a lot in my career. So, yeah, I’m pretty comfortable everywhere.
“I think it’s just building on the reps that I’ve had as a guard before trying to build on my technique and the training that I’ve had at that position and just trying to play the best I can for my teammates and my coaches.”
Does Gottula have a preference, guard or tackle?
“I prefer where the coaches need me or want me,” he said.
Rhule called Gottula an unsung hero during his press conference Monday.
“I was just honored that he would say that about me,” Gottula said. “You know, I just try to come and work as hard as I can every day here in the building for my teammates and my coaches. So, it’s good to hear that.”
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