Nebraska football beats Purdue: Amie Just’s takeaways

Final score: Nebraska 28, Purdue 10.

If you didn’t watch the game, you’d think that was comfortable. If you only looked at the stats, you’d think this was a well-in-hand Husker victory from the jump.

But it sure didn’t feel like it. Not in the first half, anyway. The film of what transpired in West Lafayette on Saturday’s first half should be burned. Those thirty minutes were an affront to football.

If Nebraska had played any other team in the Big Ten on Saturday morning, the Huskers would likely be flying home with another L. But, they played the Boilermakers — a struggling team that could have easily won Saturday if they hadn’t gotten in their own way with nearly a dozen 15-plus-yard penalties.

For the brave souls who want to read on, here are my takeaways from Nebraska’s contest against Purdue.

Nebraska’s special teams miscues were evident from the jump.

On Nebraska’s opening drive, the Huskers punted from the Purdue 39-yard line. Brian Buschini’s punt bounced around near the goal line, but no Nebraska player near the ball ran toward it until it was too late for the touchback — placing the ball at the Purdue. Not worth it. Nebraska should have gone for it there.

Then, when Nebraska had its next fourth-down opportunity, the Huskers did elect to go for it — fourth-and-1 from the 19-yard line — Nebraska’s most veteran player, tackle Bryce Benhart, false started — negating what could have been a conversion for quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (with quarterback Dylan Raiola lined up out wide). Instead, Nebraska opted to kick it and kicker John Hohl’s 42-yard attempt hooked wide left.

On Hohl’s second attempt, the snap from Aidan Flege was about as low as a snap could be — touching the ground as it sailed toward holder Brian Buschini. Then, Purdue blocked the kick. That one’s not on Hohl, but seeing his kick get blocked cannot be good for his confidence.

Guess what, folks? It got even worse.

Nebraska, once again, marched down into Purdue territory but had a drive stall out. And once again, Nebraska trotted the field goal team out there. But this time, snapper Camden Witucki went out there in place of Flege.

It didn’t matter. The snap was off the mark. Buschini had to reach across his body to grab it. And, once again, Purdue came up with the blocked field goal after Hohl’s kick was a little low.

Witucki was the snapper for Nebraska’s extra point in the third quarter. The snap? High. But Buschini wrangled it in time for Hohl to connect.

Enough talk about “we need to fix special teams.” Action is necessary. Now.

Nebraska scored zero points on its first six trips inside the Purdue 40-yard line.

That’s not championship-caliber football.

The offensive pass interference that was called on tight end Thomas Fidone? Egregious call. Horrific. Horrible. Hoooooorrible.

Fidone was simply getting around a defender and brushed by the guy.

To make matters worse, the penalty wiped a 22-yard touchdown for Rahmir Johnson off the board.

I wonder who is advising Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on his challenges because the success rate there this season has not been good.

Heading into Saturday, Purdue was allowing 269 yards rushing per game.

For a team like Nebraska, one that has physically dominant rushers like Dante Dowdell, the Huskers did not find a groove in the run game until the second half.

At halftime, Nebraska only had 49 yards rushing on 13 attempts.

By the game’s end, Nebraska flipped the switch and had 161 yards on the ground on 31 carries with two touchdowns.

But against this Purdue defense, Nebraska could have made more hay there.

Talk about making the most of an opportunity.

Late in the game, Bullock snagged a Hudson Card pass and sprinted 29 yards back the other direction for the pick-6 to slam the door shut on any minuscule hope Purdue had of coming back.

Bullock has been having a great season and this further demonstrates the success he’s been having.

Bullock’s four tackles, including a tackle for loss, were tied for third on the team.

Steady, clean game for quarterback Dylan Raiola.

The freshman’s first road win featured him completing 17 of his 27 passes for 257 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

He completed passes to eight different receivers.

The freshman continues to prove that he is electric as heck. He’s basically unstoppable. The elusive freshman was active in both the pass and run game — serving as the leading rusher with 66 yards on the ground on four carries and two receptions for 28 yards.