On a pleasant October evening on the banks of the Raritan River, the Nebraska Cornhuskers scored all their points in the second half while shutting out the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to prevail 14-13 in a contest that curtailed the curse of one possession losses. The Huskers had lost ten straight one possession games and now have earned back-to-back victories in the Big Ten for the first time since 2018. It was sloppy and ugly but Husker fans will take a one point victory anyway they can get it after years of frustrating heartbreak losses.
For the second week in a row, the Husker defense dominated in the second half shutting out their opponent and setting up the offense to score the game winning points. Six second half possessions by Rutgers resulted in three punts and three interceptions. The Blackshirts had three total picks in the first five games and doubled that total tonight. Despite yielding a six play 75-yard scoring drive on Rutgers opening possession, and 263 total yards in the first half, the defense gave up just one drive that led to a field goal and held the Knights to another trey after the Scarlet Knights blocked a punt and took over at the Husker 9-yard line. The Blackshirts gave up a paltry 85 total yards after intermission, limiting Rutgers to 27 plays. Rutgers crossed midfield just one time in the second half and that drive ended with an interception by Brandon Moore at the Nebraska 36-yard line. Despite more missed tackles and yielding four passes over 29 yards, Bill Busch had his squad improving as the game wore on and dialed up significant pressure in the second half that led to three sacks.
Rutgers was picking on true freshman defensive back Malcolm Hartzog, last week’s Big Ten Freshman of the Week, and he was replaced for a bit by Brandon Moore, but with Quentin Newsome out with an injury, both corners picked up key interceptions to go along with Miles Farmer’s pick that gave the ball to the Huskers at the Rutgers 27-yard line. One play later, Casey Thompson found Trey Palmer at the back of the endzone for the winning score.
The defense held Rutgers at bay while waiting for the Husker offense to rally. It took quite a while. The Huskers were punchless in the first half, running just three plays in Rutgers territory and netting just 134 yards on seven drives that resulted in five punts and two interceptions. Nebraska took the second half kickoff and drove 70 yards in 9 plays culminating with a 7-yard touchdown reception by Travis Vokolek, his first TD as a Husker since transferring from Rutgers after the 2018 season. The offense then had another two punts and failed to convert a fourth and 1 from the Rutgers 27-yard line, before the Farmer pick set them up deep in Rutgers territory. Many Husker fans were puzzled by the empty set 4th and one call that OC Whipple called that ended a promising drive. Mickey Joseph said in his presser that they liked what the defense was giving them, but it is hard to win games in the Big Ten if you can’t find a way to rush for a yard. Granted, it looked like Marcus Washington was interfered with but the zebras appeared too busy focusing on phantom offensive pass interference to call anything. On their penultimate possession, Nebraska managed just 29 yards on 9 plays but took nearly five minutes off the clock. They were aided in a significant way by a boneheaded personal foul by a Rutgers defender who tossed Oliver Martin to the ground out of bounds on a 3rd and 11 play that gained just 1 yard. That stupidity may have won the game for Nebraska as the Huskers were able to run the clock down to 1:03 after punting to the Rutgers 19. Nebraska obviously has very little practice of late in the victory formation, but fumbling the snap is still a little scary.
Garrett Nelson led the defense in with a career high eleven stops including 2 TFL’s and 1.5 sacks. He was also seen on the sidelines trying to light a fire under the offense between series. Nick Henrich added 9 tackles with one TFL and Marques Buford had 6 tackles. Colton Feist shared a sack with Nelson (along with 5 stops) and Ochuan Mathis (4 tackles) contributed a sack and had a huge tipped ball on Rutgers last possession that prevented a defensive pass interference against Miles Farmer. Luke Reimer had 5 tackles and two pass breakups in the first half before leaving the game with an injury early in the second half. I hope his injury is not serious as he absolutely has to stay on the field for the Blackshirts.
Casey Thompson finished 24 for 36 for 232 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. He was harried and hammered all night. The fact that he survived the game was a victory. One wonders how much more abuse he can take. How long before he misses a few games and not just a few plays. Thompson has thrown a touchdown pass in all six games this season and he is the first Husker to throw for a touchdown in each of the first six games since Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw a touchdown pass in each of the first seven games in 2016.
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The offensive line was dominated by an undersized Rutgers defense and Hunter Anthony replaced Bryce Benhart after the first two series. Turner Corcoran looked like he was playing on roller skates. We learned this week that the Huskers have just started to block live in practice again. No wonder they seem like they don’t know what they are doing. They still need much more practice. As a result, the Husker rushing game was nearly nonexistent as they ran for just 72 yards on 29 attempts (a 2.5 yd average). Anthony Grant, who came into the contest averaging 120 yards a game had just 47 yards on 19 attempts (a 2.5-yd average). He also contributed by catching six passes for 34 yards, marking a career high in both receptions and receiving yards. But the Grant highlight of the night was the hit he delivered that left a Rutgers defender bloodied and unconscious on the sideline. Jaquez Yant added 4 carries for 22 yards (a 5.5-yd average) leaving one to wonder where he was on that 4th and 1 play.
Tight end Travis Vokolek caught a career-high six passes for 46 yards, including his 7-yard touchdown reception. The 6’7” Vokolek was a bright spot for the offense and created mismatch for Rutgers linebackers. He was shaken up late in the game but returned. Trey Palmer caught four passes for 64 yards, eclipsing 1,000 career receiving yards (1,002). He has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games. The last Husker to have a receiving touchdown in three straight games was JD Spielman in the final three games of the 2019 season. He was also the victim of one of the phantom offensive pass interference penalties as the defender slipped down. Marcus Washington added 4 catches for 53 yards and is quickly becoming a key component of the Husker attack. I was also impressed by Chancelor Brewington’s 17-yard catch as he moved up field 22-yards after his catch.
Special teams struggled somewhat throughout. It’s hard to look good when you have a punt blocked. In adding injury to insult, punter Brian Buschini was banged up on the play and it impacted his punting as a result. He still managed to average 40.1 yards on 7 punts but had a season low 24-yarder in the 4th quarter. Thank goodness for Blaise Gunnerson who prevented a touchdown on the punt block. Those saved four points were huge in a one-point outcome. Brendan Franke had 2 touchbacks on 3 kickoffs, but the team gave up a 24-yard return setting up the Knights at the 37-yard line. The punt team did a decent job containing dangerous returner Aron Cruickshank as he only totaled 8 yards on two returns.
For a few hours the Huskers are sitting in first place in the Big Ten West at 2-1. Take a picture because it may not last long. The Huskers succeeded in defeating the two weakest opponents remaining on the schedule. Don’t get me started on how we lost to hapless Northwestern. If the Huskers can continue to improve, more wins are available as the Huskers reach the halfway point at 3-3. Anywhere between 3-9 and 8-4 is possible (although not likely probable). Next week another night road game looms in West Lafayette against the Purdue Boilermakers. They are far better than this Rutgers squad and the Huskers will be a significant underdog. An upset against the Boilers would be a huge step for this teams confidence and Mickey Joseph’s tenure. The Huskers even have an extra day to prepare. Don’t lose heart but Go Big Red!!
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