Nebraska football dominates Colorado in 28-10 win

The Sea of Red flooded into downtown Lincoln early in the day, wanting to savor the anticipation of a high-stakes matchup against a bitter rival. There was a buzz in the air, one that lasted long into the night.

And as Memorial Stadium rocked, the Nebraska football team’s engine hummed. Nebraska delivered a performance that even the 1994 Huskers, honored on the 30th anniversary of their national title-winning season, would be proud of.

On the field, the Huskers dominated one of their most historic rivals. Nebraska never trailed during a 28-10 win over Colorado on Saturday night, leading 28-0 at halftime as its defense took center stage. The win was Nebraska’s first over Colorado since 2010, snapping a recent three-game losing skid to the Buffaloes.

Decibel levels were cranked to the maximum inside Memorial Stadium as Nebraska (2-0) pressured the Buffaloes (1-1) early and often.

After sacking Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders eight times in last season’s matchup, the Huskers picked up right where they left off when senior Ty Robinson recorded the first of five eventual Husker sacks on the game’s opening possession.

Its timing shaken off from the start, the Colorado offense never recovered. The Buffs’ second series ended in a turnover on downs, eventually setting up a masterful punt from senior Brian Buschini which pinned the Buffaloes at their own 2-yard line.

Standing in his own end zone, Sanders attempted a throw to the far side of the field in one-on-one coverage. Cornerback Tommi Hill jumped the route, hauled in the pass and turned it into six Nebraska points as Sanders stood rooted to his spot in the end zone.

The Nebraska sideline broke into spirited celebrations, knowing there was still plenty of football to be played — but sensing that the Huskers had gained a foothold in the game that wouldn’t slip.

Nebraska didn’t allow a first down in the first quarter, earning seven of its own in the process. The Huskers weren’t perfect offensively — quarterback Dylan Raiola missed a wide-open touchdown pass to Jaylen Lloyd and kicker Tristan Alvano hooked a field goal try wide left — but they took advantage of the positions the Blackshirts placed them into.

And every time Colorado began to find its offensive identity, the Huskers came back harder.

After Colorado finally earned a first down 17 minutes into the game, defensive lineman Jimari Butler’s third-down sack soon forced a punt. And when the Buffaloes strung together multiple first downs, marching 63 yards down the field, Robinson stuck a hand in the air to block Colorado’s 29-yard try.

The big moment of playing in primetime was hardly too large for Raiola, who again briefly spent a pregame moment huddling with his family on the sidelines. Raiola converted a crucial third down with his legs on Nebraska’s first drive, marching the Husker down the field for an eventual 12-yard rushing touchdown from Dante Dowdell.

Raiola led another long touchdown drive culminating in a short Dowdell rushing touchdown later in the half, while the game’s first passing score was another example of it simply being Nebraska’s night.

A pass intended for running back Rahmir Johnson was nearly intercepted and batted into the air by a Colorado defender, only for Johnson to snatch the ball out of midair and turn it into an 18-yard receiving touchdown.

After leading 28-0 at halftime, Nebraska was steady but unspectacular as it kept Colorado at bay during the second half. The Buffs got on the board with a 27-yard field goal pushed across early in the third quarter but were soon stymied by the Husker defense on ensuing drives.

And as the game ticked over into its final period, any huddles, instructions and strategical talk were paused as Nebraska players and coaches alike turned to North Stadium and took in the team’s pre-fourth quarter lights show.

Nebraska players danced, mimed playing the guitar and threw their hands in the air; several minutes later they did so again after a fourth-down run stop.

Colorado finally broke into the end zone midway through the fourth quarter with a six-play, 58-yard drive that ended in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to LaJohntay Wester.

But it was too little, too late for a Colorado offense that scored on just two of its 12 offensive series during the game.