The No. 24 Nebraska Cornhuskers made a statement in Saturday night’s win over Colorado. The Huskers took down the Buffaloes 28-10 in a lopsided game.
On offense, the Huskers racked up 334 total yards, including 185 through the air and 149 on the ground. This, along with a stellar performance by the defense, led to Nebraska’s first win over Colorado since 2010.
Nebraska controlled the game from start to finish, but it was still a tale of two halves. The Huskers started strong, scoring 28 points and keeping the Buffaloes off the board.
But in the second half, Nebraska let up a bit, failing to score and allowing Colorado to get ten points. Head coach Matt Rhule told the media that he didn’t change his mindset from the first half to the second.
I certainly had the opinion that let’s be aggressive. Let’s attack. We had the ball backed up on our own 13-yard line after the block in the back. We threw four verticals and hit a seam route to (Nate) Boerkircher. It was second and 24, I was playing to be aggressive. I was not just going to sit there, and the same concern about the points. I kept saying, when they kicked the field goal I said to Tony (White), ‘It’s four touchdowns.’ So I was going to be smart and milk the clock at times. With 8 minutes left, we went into four-minute mode, but I don’t see the defense do anything.
Nebraska now prepares for another night game as the Huskers welcome Northern Iowa to Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT
Here are the position grades for Nebraska’s 28-10 win over Colorado.
Quarterbacks: B+
Dylan Raiola’s second collegiate outing resulted in another solid offensive performance for Nebraska. But it wasn’t without miscues.
He finished 23-of-30 in passing and threw a touchdown. But he only tallied 185 yards, missing a few opportunities to make big-time throws. Most of Raiola’s incompletions were just out of reach of the receivers and once again dangerously close to being intercepted.
His miraculous touchdown pass to Rahmir Johnson should’ve also been picked, but a bobble by Colorado’s linebacker resulted in Nebraska’s score. Even his 36-yard toss to Jaylen Lloyd occurred due to the sophomore receiver coming back in time to make the grab.
But outside the near interception, Raiola’s night was up to par regarding what was needed.
Running Backs: A-
The running back room didn’t get to show all of its weaponry in the win. But what it did show was enough. The Huskers finished with 149 yards and two touchdowns on the ground despite hitting a roadblock in the second half.
Dante Dowdell led the charge, running for 74 yards and two touchdowns with no fumbles off 17 carries.
Rahmir Johnson also played a part in the win, leading the team in catches and receiving yards. Johnson hauled in eight catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 33 yards off nine carries.
Though the run game fell off in the second half, the group didn’t force any mistakes that benefited Colorado.
Wide Receivers: B+
As mentioned, Johnson led the receiving room on the night with his eight catches for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Jacory Barney Jr. and Isaiah Neyor finished behind Johnson in catches and receiving yards. Barney Jr. finished with six catches off 29 yards, while Neyor hauled in four catches for 31 yards.
Other Nebraska wideouts like Jaylen Lloyd, Nate Boerkircher, and Thomas Fidone II each snatched one pass for a solid gain. Lloyd’s aforementioned 36-yard grab was the biggest of the trio.
Along with a few dropped passes, the Huskers receiver committed multiple holding penalties that called back big plays, including a long touchdown in the fourth.
With plenty of seasons left, the receivers must be careful not to draw any flags.
Offensive Line: B+
The receivers weren’t the only position group to suffer penalties. The offensive line, too, coughed up flags, surrendering three holding penalties that halted Nebraska drives.
After helping the Huskers rush for 87 yards and throw for 126 yards, the line fell off in the second half with just 62 rushing yards and 59 passing yards. It also finished the night, allowing seven tackles for loss.
However, despite the numerous TFLs and even four quarterback hurries, the team completed the game with no sacks allowed, snapping a six-game skid in that category.
However, the second-half performance showed that Nebraska’s pipeline still needs to improve.
Defensive Line: A
The defensive line shined brightest for Nebraska in the win, finishing with three sacks and four tackles for loss.
In fact, for most of the game, Colorado had negative rushing yards as a team. It finished the night with 16. The defensive line also had five quarterback hurries and even stripped the ball once, which led to a Nebraska recovery.
All in all, the Huskers won the battle in the trenches by a landslide.
Linebackers: A-
Accompanying the defensive line were the linebackers, who shot up the middle and contained the outside to keep Colorado in check on the ground.
John Bullock and Mikai Gbayor combined for 11 tackles on the night, including three for a loss. Both also shut down two separate fourth-down attempts by Colorado.
The other linebackers tallied up five tackles, three for a loss, and three sacks. Though the group allowed a few plays up the middle, both passing and rushing, it didn’t lead to any big plays for Colorado in between the hashes.
The only sour taste left in the win for Nebraska’s middle three was the ejection of Gbayor, who was removed in the second half due to targeting.
Defensive Backs: A-
Tommi Hill’s pick-six on Colorado’s third drive summed up the game for both sides. The secondary limited Shedeur Sanders throughout the night, only allowing 23 completions off 38 passes.
But Nebraska did slowly build up a lot of yardage allowed. It had a few close calls, with Colorado making four trips into Husker territory. The Buffaloes also saw three wide receivers haul in a reception of 20 yards or more.
Travis Hunter finished with 110 receiving yards after hauling in 10 catches. The late touchdown also came when Colorado could have mounted a comeback, but the Buffaloes ran out of time.
But, with Colorado’s passing game being versatile and fast, the Nebraska secondary performed well against it.
Special Teams: B-
It was a mixed bag for special teams in the win.
Brian Buschini pinned Colorado on the two-yard line with a punt, leading to the Sanders pick-six. But he got a punt blocked in the fourth, which set up Colorado near midfield, leading to its lone touchdown.
This partially dampened his 254-yards punted on the night, with three landing inside the Buffaloes 20-yard line. Dylan Raiola also punted the ball once, sending it 40 yards.
The Huskers also blocked a field goal early on, but Tristan Alvano missed one as well. Alvano is now 1-for-3 in field goals this season, which could raise concerns down the line.
The kickoff team shut down any chances for Colorado to use its speed, except on the second one, which saw Jimmy Horn Jr. make it to the Nebraska 37-yard line.
Isaiah Gracia-Castenada had a solid punt return, but it was called back due to a penalty, which led to him finishing with just 16 yards total.
Though Nebraska has experienced worse outings in special teams, Saturday’s performance showed it needs to clean up a bit.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Position grades from Nebraska’s 28-10 win over Colorado
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