Connect with us

It took until October 20th but Scott Frost has won his first game since his return to Lincoln as head coach. It’s been an undeniably rough season for Frost. The Huskers managed to rack up six consecutive losses, ranging from absolute blowouts to games that came down to the final play.

Nebraska put all of the misery and frustration behind them against Minnesota, rolling over the Golden Gophers 53-28. All of the offensive pieces came together. Adrian Martinez completed 25 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. He only had four incomplete passes all game.

Martinez also had 125 yards on the ground and a touchdown, eclipsed only by Devine Ozigbo, who had 152 yards on 12 carries.

Nebraska RB Dvine Ozigbo scores on a 40-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening drive. The senior finished with 152 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. (Photo Kenny Larabee)

 

It was a great day for Ozigbo. In the first quarter alone, he had over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Nebraska had gone up 28 to nothing in the first half, where it looked like they were going to wrap up the victory handily.

The Gophers scored a touchdown just as the first half was winding down. That marked the start of their 22 point scoring run. For a while, it seemed as if Nebraska would go down as they did against Northwestern – in agonizing defeat after getting up big.

That though quickly evaporated though after the Huskers scored seventeen unanswered points. Stanley Morgan erupted, scoring a pair of touchdowns for 35 and 67 yards respectively. The much maligned Barret Pickering chipped in as well, easily draining a 32 yard field goal in the fourth. After all of that, the game was effectively over, as the Husker’s led 46-22 with around five minutes remaining.

Nebraska QB Adrain Martinez rushes for a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter to put Nebraska up by two touchdowns early in the game. (Photo – Kenny Larabee)

“It’s long overdue,” Frost said after the game. “Love to see that stadium full again. That’s what it’s supposed to feel out there. I can’t thank the fans enough.” Martinez was similarly relieved with the win, saying that it “felt like a monkey off [our] back.”

The Huskers won’t have time to rest, however. The upcoming Bethune-Cookman game is being held on October 27th, what would’ve been Nebraska’s bye week if not for the Akron game cancellation. Frost knows the toll it could potentially take on the team, not getting rest.

“We’re beat up and a little tired,” Frost said. “We will keep adjusting as much as we can.” The positive Frost and his coaching staff can take away from the situation is the momentum a second win could provide this team.

“We have to prepare and get ready. It would be nice to get two in a row if we play well,” Frost said.

But those questions and concerns are concerns for the near future, not the present moment. For now, Frost and the Huskers can soak in and celebrate the victory that should’ve come a long time ago. That record book doesn’t mean much in this current moment. Nebraska is 1-6 but they finally have one great thing that isn’t kept track of on the stat sheet – vindication.

Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez looks for an open receiver in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 53-28 victory over Minnesota Saturday. Martinez finished with 276 yards and three touchdowns through the air to go along with 125 yards and a score on the ground. (Photo – Kenny Larabee)

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in KLIN Sports