Malachi Coleman was elevated to a starting role coming off the bye week with head coach Matt Rhule confirming the increased role for the true freshman. The offense has taken a while to get unhitched against Northwestern, but the speedy receiver broke through in the fourth quarter.

With Nebraska operating near midfield, the offense ran a little option play-action with movement toward the right side of the formation. Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg then planted and looked back to the left.

The movement drew the eyes of the defenders just enough for Coleman to get a solid step ahead of his defender down the sideline. Haarberg threw up the deep shot, and it was placed perfectly in stride.

Coleman ran underneath the ball for an easy catch and his first touchdown as a Husker. The entire play went for 44 yards.

Coleman entered the game with just 1 catch for 5 yards. His touchdown grab was his first catch of the game, but it came at a crucial moment.

The 6-foot-4 receiver joined Nebraska as the No. 1 in-state recruit for the 2023 recruiting class. He’ll get a chance to leave his mark down the stretch, and that starts with a big-play touchdown in Week 8.