“That first play, I’m being honest, I thought we had an interception,” said cornerback A.J. Hampton Jr. “Obviously, we’ve got to probably change some technique things. We just got to win. He’s got to want to win more. Honestly, that’s the biggest thing. Other teams are going to make great plays … and I applaud them for that.”
After Nebraska opened up a 21-0 first-quarter lead, the Wildcats cut the margin to 14, gave up another touchdown but were driving to cut the lead again when quarterback Ryan Hilinski fumbled an attempted handoff to running back Evan Hull at the Nebraska 1-yard line.
“I saw cover zero,” Hilinski said. “Read option, I’m trying to pull the ball from Evan (Hull). At the end of the day, it’s my fault because I had the ball in my hand. I didn’t get a firm enough grip to pull it, and I tried to pull it and obviously we saw that happen.”
That fumble closed the door on the Wildcats, who saw Nebraska put up two more scores before halftime.
The loss was tied for the second-worst in Fitzgerald’s 16-year tenure, matching the 52-3 defeat it suffered to Ohio State in 2019. The only worse loss was a 58-7 drubbing by Ohio State in 2007.
Photos: Nebraska rolls past Northwestern to notch first Big Ten win of season
Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (0) gets tackled by Northwestern’s Brandon Joseph (16) and Peter McIntyre (40) in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (0) looks back at Northwestern’s A.J. Hampton, Jr. (11) as he takes off on a 64-yard run Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) runs for extra yardage after a first-quarter catch against Northwestern’s Cameron Mitchell (2) on the first play from scrimmage on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) runs for extra yardage after a first-quarter catch against Northwestern’s Coco Azema (0) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Levi Falck (88) gets pushed out of bounds by Northwestern’s A.J. Hampton, Jr. (11) after a catch in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (0) eludes Northwestern defenders during a first-half run Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez scores a first-quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Kelsey Larsen (left) and Blake Sanchez (right) carry balloons before the Nebraska-Northwestern game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s JoJo Domann (13) sacks Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski (12) in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) helps celebrate the sack of teammate JoJo Domann (13) against Northwestern in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Jaquez Yant (0) holds off Northwestern’s A. J. Hampton Jr.. (11) on a 64-yard run in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez runs the ball towards the end zone before scoring a first quarter touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s JoJo Domann (13) throws the bones after a first-quarter tackle of Northwestern’s Malik Washington (6) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scores on a first-quarter run against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost (left) greets Husker wide receiver Oliver Martin during pregame warmups before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco watches the team warming up before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) arches his back to follow a booming Husker punt as he talks to defensive coordinator Erik Chinander during warmups for the Northwestern game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco (right) watches quarterback Logan Smothers warm up before the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers warms up prior to the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) talks to defensive coordinator Erik Chinander as they watch warmups before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg warms up prior to the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) hugs Husker wide receiver Oliver Martin during pregame warmups before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Cornhusker Marching Band leads the parade of players and coaches as they pass Archie the mammoth and Morrill Hall during the Unity Walk before taking on Northwestern in football Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti (right) reaches out for the toes of Archie the mammoth as the coaches pass by Morrill Hall as part of the Unity Walk before taking on Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Tiny Tim, a long-haired dachshund owned by John Bender of Monument, Colo., is dressed up in Husker red for the football game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska football player Cam Jurgens high-fives Beverly Brush as he walks into Memorial stadium before the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday.
The Cornhusker Marching Band performs in front of the Selleck Quadrangle before the Huskers arrive Saturday for a football game against Northwestern.
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost walks into Memorial Stadium before the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday.
Nebraska player Lane McCallum makes his way to the Unity Walk on Saturday before the Huskers played Northwestern.
The Nebraska football team walks to the stadium before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska football team walks past Morrill Hall to the stadium before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska football team begins their Unity Walk from the Selleck Quadrangle on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) is all smiles after converting a third-quarter extra-point attempt against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (12) coaxes the 84-yard punt by William Przystup to go a little further in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern’s Evan Hull (center) gets tackled by Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5), Luke Reimer and Pheldarius Payne in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska wide receiver Zavier Betts (15) scores on an 83-yard run in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska linebacker Garrett Nelson (44) creates a fumble from a sack of Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski in the third quarter as teammate Caleb Tannor (2) looks on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (12) coaxes the 84-yard punt by William Przystup to go a little further in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska receiver Zavier Betts (15) eyes a pass as he’s defended by Northwestern’s A. J. Hampton in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski gets swarmed by Nebraska’s Casey Rogers as Cam Taylor-Britt (5) dives into the first-quarter play Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Alante Brown (4) celebrates a tackle on a Northwestern kickoff return on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) runs the ball with Northwestern’s Peter McIntyre (40) in pursuit in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Looking like a KISS concert, flames erupt from the end zone prior to the start of the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (28) scored a touchdown against Northwestern in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska running back Sevion Morrison (28) celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown with teammate Chris Hickman against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) came in for starter Adrian Martinez in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Connor Culp (33) celebrates with his team after a successful extra point against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Broc Bando walks off the field after the Huskers defeated Northwestern 56-7 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Will Nixon (12) gets tackled by Northwestern’s Bryce Jackson (22) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Sevion Morrison (28) gets tackled by several Northwestern players in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Markese Stepp (33) gets tackled by Northwestern’s Chris Bergin (28) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern’s Stephon Robinson, Jr. (5) gets tackled by Nebraska’s JoJo Domann (13) and Braxton Clark (11) in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Teddy Prochazka (65) takes on Northwestern’s Peter McIntyre (40) and Jason Gold in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A show of lights and flames took place between the third and fourth quarters during the Northwestern game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Zavier Betts runs for an 83-yard touchdown in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A jet flies over near the end of the national anthem before Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez scores in the first quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska offensive lineman Nouredin Nouili (63) looks for someone to block against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Memorial Stadium.
A member of the Cornhusker Marching Band prepares to perform the national anthem before Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Recruit Dylan Raiola (center) stands on the field before Nebraska plays Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Logan Smothers (8) runs for yardage in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Markese Stepp (30) signs a miniature football for Nebraska alumni Alec Oberndorfer after the Huskers defeated Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt cradles the ball after a Northwestern incompletion on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens hugs athletic director Trev Alberts after the Huskers defeated Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska players huddles on the field during a timeout in the fourth quarter during a game against Northwestern Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska players kneel before the start of a game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A fan pushes a football off the overhang before Nebraska’s game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Matt Masker throws a pass in the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern’s Stephon Robinson is taken down by Nebraska at the 1-yard line in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant lies outside the end zone after being run out of bounds in by Northwestern in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Huskers take the field before playing Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Nick Henrich comes up short when attempting to tackle Northwestern’s Andrew Clair in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s JoJo Domann (13) and Garrett Nelson (44) celebrate a tackle in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Marques Buford runs off the field after the Huskers defeated Northwestern 56-7 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Logan Smothers (8) handles the ball with Jaquez Yant coming in for a possible handoff in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A Nebraska cheerleader stands on the sidelines before the start of Saturday’s game against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson (14) trips while running with the ball against Northwestern in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Northwestern’s Stephon Robinson catches the ball for his team’s only touchdown against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicks an extra point in the fourth quarter against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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