Instant Takes: Nebraska 6, Minnesota 24
Nebraska (5-2) missed its opportunity for bowl eligibility Friday night, dropping to 2-2 in conference play after falling 24-6 to Minnesota (5-2). The Cornhuskers’ offense allowed nine sacks on quarterback Dylan Raiola, contributing to a performance that spoiled Emmett Johnson’s homecoming.
Here are some instant takeaways from the frustrating loss.
Minnesota came ready to play on both sides of the ball
Minnesota’s game plan was clear. They wanted to expose the Nebraska defense on the ground. The Gophers succeeded, racking up more than 100 rushing yards in the first half and finishing the game with over 325 yards total after dominating the second half time of possession. Nebraska’s struggles were immediate, as the Cornhuskers ended the first quarter with net-negative rushing yards.
The game’s first touchdown came on a Minnesota “tush-push” quarterback sneak, which was set up by a decisive 71-yard run into the red zone. The rusher was Darius Taylor, who surpassed his combined yardage from the previous two games on that single drive. Taylor ultimately finished the contest with more than 140 rushing yards.
Defensively, the Golden Gophers had a clear objective: pressure sophomore quarterback Raiola. Despite a few impressive plays from the young quarterback, the Golden Gophers delivered a relentless pass rush. Minnesota sacked Raiola five times in the first half, a feat aided by a banged-up Nebraska offensive line. The Gophers consistently brought safeties and linebackers into the backfield on blitz packages to disrupt the pocket.
Johnson’s homecoming slowed by lack of run game
Nebraska’s breakout running back had an opportunity for a revenge game. Minnesota, the college from Johnson’s home state, never offered the junior a scholarship out of high school. The buildup to the game Friday night was focused heavily on storylines related to Johnson.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Bryant Wesco injury
Dabo Swinney reveals severity
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Mike Elko
Shreds media over PSU question
- 3
Steve Sarkisian
Addresses play-calling duties
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Heisman Trophy Poll
Big shakeup in Top 10
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Minnesota’s defensive game plan carried over into stopping the run effectively. The Minnesota native tallied 37 rushing yards on nine carries in the first half and had one catch for 3 yards. Nebraska’s offensive line struggled to create holes for Johnson but made halftime adjustments. On the first drive of the second half, Johnson caught one pass for 12 yards and ran the ball two times for 15 yards. Minnesota dominated the rest of the game, limiting Johnson to 100 all-purpose yards.
Raiola showed improved mobility with 29 sack-adjusted rushing yards. He made multiple eye-catching plays despite the constant broken formations. The Georgia native completed one pass while falling to the ground and made another throw with his left hand. Backup running back Isaiah Mozee had two carries for 7 yards.
Nebraska’s special teams showed up again
With the offense struggling to sustain drives, Nebraska’s special teams unit was repeatedly called upon and found a chance to shine. Coach Mike Ekeler’s unit has reached a level of success Nebraska has not seen in years, providing a vital counterpoint to the team’s offensive woes. Except for one questionable return decision by Jacory Barney Jr., the unit was nearly flawless.
Sophomore kicker Kyle Cunanan was a steady presence, making two field goals Friday night, converting from 30 and 33 yards. Following his perfect night, he is now 11 for 12 on the season, with a season-long 52-yarder against Cincinnati. Australian punter Archie Wilson also performed admirably, averaging over 40 yards per punt on five attempts, which is the most attempts this season. His highlight was a key third-quarter punt that landed perfectly inside the 5-yard line, where Nebraska’s coverage unit successfully pinned Minnesota deep in their own territory, demonstrating the special teams unit’s impact on the field position battle.
