I want to call out the energy the Blackshirts played with yesterday at critical emotional times. Rutgers had four drives that started in NU territory, one after a Raiola pick; two related to the second blocked punt, and one at midfield and time running out. These are things that in the past might have sent NU into an emotional spiral. Instead the Blackshirts took Rutgers' soul.
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Drive 1: Rutgers starts at Nebraska’s 43 after Raiola’s INT. There was 6:13 left in the 2nd quarter with NU leading 7-0. NU forces them into 3rd and 17 but a screen pass to Monangai made it 4th and 3.
NU showed pre-snap blitz but ultimately only rushed three and dropped eight into zone. Nash beat the center and forced QB Kaliakmanis to his left where Ty Robinson joined the chase. Kaliakmanis throws on the run and Marques Buford made the pick.
Drive stats: Four plays, seven yards. 1:53 off the clock. Nebraska takes the ensuring drive and scores a TD before the end of the half.
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Drive 2: Rutgers starts at Nebraska’s 2 after the second blocked punt. There was 7:50 left in the 3rd quarter with NU leading 14-0. Shout out to Nate Boerkircher for forcing the Rutgers player out of bounds.
On first down Nash blew up the play and Gifford tackled Monangai for a three yard loss. On second down Singleton got flagged for holding again putting Rutgers 1st and Goal at the 2. Rutgers ran Monangai to the half yard line when Bullock stopped him (impressive because Monangai is fantastic at yards after contact). 2nd and goal: Nash again beat the center and tackles Monangai in the backfield. Third down Rutgers runs play action to Fletcher but Singleton stuffs him. Fourth down: Rutgers tries to run a pick play on Mario Buford who fights through it and almost gets a pick.
Drive stats: five plays, zero yards. 2:51 off the clock. Nebraska goes three and out and Rutgers takes possession at the NU 28.
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Drive 3: Rutgers drive starts at Nebraska’s 28; 4:00 minutes left in the third. NU still leading 14-0.
On second down NU rushes three and drops eight. Nash blows up the center and sacks Kaliakmanis forcing 3rd and 15. On third down NU rushes five and both James Williams and Princewill Umanmielen beat the tackles with speed rushes. Williams gets the sack.
Drive stats: Three plays, -16 yards. 2:15 off the clock. On the next drive Nebraska starts to milk the clock with a five minute drive, punctuated by Buschini’s pass on the fake punt, then pins a punt inside Rutgers’ five. At this point Rutgers is out of their game and virtually abandon the run.
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Drive 4: Rutgers starts at midfield with 7:48 left in the game after a Buschini punt. At this point Rutgers is desperate and start their hurry up offense. Nebraska alternates between three and four rushers (once sending six) to keep everything in front of them. Rutgers drives down the field leaning on Monangai in both the run and pass game. They score a TD on a pass that Buford had a chance at intercepting.
Drive stats: Nine plays, 50 yards. 3:40 off the clock. Nebraska runs clock the next drive, then Buschini kicks a 69 yard punt that pins Rutgers at their 11 with 2:17 left.
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Rutgers got the ball back but at this point the the pass rushers were let loose. NU only rushed four every play but one during the drive. Kaliakmanis converted a fourth down pass, but the pass rush overwhelmed them. Unlike previous games, once we got the lead I never felt like we would lose. More importantly, the Blackshirts knew they weren't going to lose.
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