Targeting or not? Nebraska doesn’t fall for Rutgers’ fake

Play of the game: Nebraska’s third-quarter goal-line stand. It wasn’t just one play but six of them — none of which resulted in a Rutgers touchdown. The Huskers stuffed several runs from within their own 5-yard line, also needing a touchdown-saving tackle from DeShon Singleton to hold strong in the game’s biggest moment.

Turning point: Nebraska’s first touchdown drive. A big gain on a screen pass drove the Huskers down the field, but the drive ran the risk of fizzling out when Nebraska faced fourth-and-goal. The Huskers turned the short-yardage try into a touchdown, providing a seven-point lead which was crucial in a low-scoring contest.

Quotable: Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule on Rutgers’ final drive.

“We knew Kaliakmanis, how good of a player he is, because he beat us last year at Minnesota in the same type of game. 14-3, whatever it was, he makes the play down the stretch, so it was almost Groundhog Day; if he gets the ball back, he’s going to go down there and score.”

Game ball: Punter Brian Buschini put his body on the line for the team. After taking a hard hit on a Rutgers’ punt block during the first quarter, Buschini went to the medical tent for treatment and was visibly in pain afterward on the sidelines. However, the senior punter returned to the game and played through the pain when called upon to punt. He even perfectly converted a fake punt during the fourth quarter, throwing a pass to Jaylen Lloyd before having to punt under pressure four plays later.

Game ball: The entire Nebraska defense. The Huskers came just short of a 60-minute shutout, finally allowing a touchdown with four minutes left in the game. The Huskers were under pressure for most of the contest as Rutgers began drive after drive in NU territory, but the defense always rose to the occasion. From the defensive line to the secondary, the Huskers were united in a strong day.

Hat tip: To offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, who dialed up the right plays in the right moments. A 36-yard gain on a screen pass during Nebraska’s first touchdown drive was one such play, as was a run for wide receiver Janiran Bonner which caught Rutgers off guard for a Nebraska touchdown. It may not have been a prolific day for the Nebraska offense, but they got the job done when needed.

Questionable: Three targeting calls which ultimately came to nothing. There wasn’t the same level of uncertainty around the officiating crew as had been present in weeks prior, with a trio of targeting calls being the exception.

A play in which a Rutgers defender contacted Isaiah Neyor in the helmet was initially called as targeting on the field, only for the officials to pick up the flag afterward. Two targeting calls later in the game went to replay but were ultimately not confirmed as targeting.

Tone-setter: The Nebraska special teams unit not being fooled by Rutgers’ fake field goal attempt in the first quarter. In an area of the game that has caused Nebraska trouble in recent weeks, giving up a surprise conversion could’ve been a back-breaker that flipped momentum in Rutgers’ favor. Instead, the Huskers were watching for the fake and stopped it short to set up a touchdown drive of their own.

64: Rushing yards totaled by Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai on eight attempts in the first quarter, an average of 8 yards per carry.

14: Rushing yards totaled by Monangai on his final 11 attempts, an average of 1.3 yards per carry.

7: Penalties called against Nebraska, marking the first time in the last three weeks the Huskers have been whistled for fewer than 10.