Instant takes from Nebraska's 14-13 win over Rutgers
Here are three instant takes from Nebraska’s 14-13 win over Rutgers, its first consecutive Big Ten wins since 2018:
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Defense wins the game
Nebraska’s defense was not perfect but they played a huge part in helping the Huskers win.
Despite a poor offensive showing in the first half, Nebraska went into halftime trailing 13-0.
The Husker defense got burned big time on the first drive. Freshman cornerback Malcolm Hartzog started his second game and Rutgers knew that. They took advantage of his inexperience and quarterback Noah Vedral completed a 33-yard pass to Shameen Jones on the third play of the game.
Vedral juked his way into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown five plays later. The Scarlet Knights earned 75 yards on six plays.
Rutgers didn’t score another touchdown for the rest of the game. In fact, Nebraska’s defense only allowed them into field goal range twice. Once after a 43-yard catch and a complete 40-yard field goal to go up 13-0. And the other time was at the end of the second quarter when Jude Mcatamney kicked and missed a 48-yard field goal.
Their other field goal came when Scarlet Knight Max Melton blocked a punt with four minutes left in the first quarter. Rut Day recovered the punt and returned it for 11 yards before Blaise Gunnerson tackled him, saving a touchdown. Rutgers got the ball on Nebraska’s nine-yard line but the defense only allowed them to move two yards in three plays. The 25-yard field goal was good for a 10-0 lead.
In the second half, Nebraska’s offense clawed its way to the endzone to make it 13-7. The defense had their backs as Rutgers ran four offensive plays and was forced to punt.
Nebraska’s secondary came up with three interceptions in the second half and didn’t allow Rutgers to score in the second half. Brandon Moore, Myles Farmer and Hartzog both came up with interceptions in huge moments.
Farmer’s came with nine minutes left in the game. Thompson connected with Palmer in the endzone for a 27-yard touchdown on the next play to go up 14-13.
The Huskers had three interceptions in their first five games and three against Rutgers.
With a revolving door of Scarlet Knight quarterbacks, there could have been some things lost in communication.
Nebraska’s offensive line issues are still prevalent
Nebraska’s offensive line was dominated by Rutgers’ defensive line. Husker quarterback Casey Thompson felt pressure on what seemed like more than half of his passes.
The Huskers sputtered offensively in the first half and only had 134 total yards on 30 yards. Starting running back Anthony Grant, who was sixth in the nation in rushing yards entering the game, had 20 rushing yards at halftime.
Toward the end of the second quarter, Thompson got hammered at Nebraska’s goal line. He lay on the turf for a while and got up with a bit of assistance but walked off on his own. Backup QB Chubba Purdy came in for two plays. His pass was batted down as Rene Konga split between two offensive linemen.
Purdy earned a gain of two up the middle on the next play and Nebraska had to punt on 4th-and-8.
Thompson found a solution to not having much time in the pocket. He started getting his passes out very quickly in the middle of the second quarter. When he needed more time, he moved around the pocket and out of it much faster. It didn’t stop him from getting hit often.
Once that switch flipped, Nebraska’s offense was moving down the field for the first time all game. Trey Palmer had his first catch which was 20 yards and Grant had a 13-yard catch as well. The drive ended when Thompson was hammered and his pass was intercepted by Melton who was covering Oliver Martin.
I could spend a long time listing offensive line red flags from the Rutgers game but no one wants that. The point is Nebraska’s offense and the team are deeply affected by how they play. And if Thompson keeps taking huge hits, he might end up with something worse than a sore shoulder.
Nebraska wins a one-possession game
The Huskers had lost their last 10 one-possession games but broke the streak against Rutgers on Friday.
The game came down to the defense. And just like they had for the entirety of the game, they had the offenses back.
With the second ticking away on 3rd-and-10, Hartzog caught an interception wide-open in the middle of the field to seal the deal.
While the offense did not play up to their capability and hasn’t this entire season, Nebraska won. They won their first consecutive Big Ten games since 2018.
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph had a great opportunity to make a statement against Rutgers. However, Nebraska won by the skin of its teeth. Winning is winning, especially in this program. But in the case of Joseph becoming Nebraska’s next head coach, is a one-point win against Rutgers going to be enough?
But you know what is enough, leading the Big Ten West. Even if it is just for a moment as the solo leaders, it’s a great place to be for Joseph and a team who has been through a lot.
