In a game I think a lot of Husker fans had circled on their calendar since last years matchup, the Cornhuskers came out and boy did they put on a clinic. The Huskers would end up winning 28-10, in a mostly dominant fashion. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would be up 28-0 at halftime. Very impressive first half, but it really was a story of two halves. The second half was full of mental errors, bad calls from the refs, and a very stagnant offensive plan. Rapid reaction:
Offense:
First let’s talk about Dante Dowdell. Man, I was wrong about him and right at the same time. I said he was clearly our best running back, he was and what a performance he put on. But I also said maybe he shouldn’t touch the ball or see limited reps after his fumble week one. Good thing I am not the coach, and I trust Rhule who gave Dowdell multiple touches and was dominant scoring the Huskers first touchdown. He also converted a key first down in the first half and made a diving touchdown later. Job well done. All in all, he had 17 carries for 74 yards, and Rahmir Johnson had 10 for 33. Gave Ervin only got two carries for 6 yards and Emmett Johnson got 1 for 3. The running back by committee seems to be dying down and settling down.
Now let’s talk Raiola. Not quite as crisp as last game, to be expected against a better team. He underthrew his receivers a couple times early, one which Jayln Lloyd came back to and caught on the three-yard line to set up a Nebraska Husker score. He also threw an interception that the DB then fumbled into the air and Rhamir Johnson caught and took it in for six to make it 28-0 before the half. Risky. All in all, he went 23/30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Not bad at all, for a second start in a high-pressure game. Here’s the highlight guys… no turnovers! That makes a difference and it feels good to finally be protective of the football. That might have been on the minds of the coaches, as the offensive gameplan in the second half was vanilla at best. No points were scored, and the offense couldn’t get anything going. However, whenever it did pop a big play, it would be called back by a flag. Most of which even the announcers agreed shouldn’t have been thrown. What can you do. Offense has to learn to keep its foot on its opponent’s throat when it has them down. That needs to be emphasized this week.
Defense:
The Blackshirts absolutely came out clearly wanting revenge. The defense led by second year Husker coordinator Tony White, started off giving Colorado a three and out. Later in the first quarter, Tomi Hill picked off Colorado Buffaloes QB Sheduer Sanders and took it back for six. The defense scoring was something that was missing from a very stout defense last year, so this was incredible and pushed the momentum for the Huskers. They would hold Colorado to zero……ZERO points at half time. Incredible first half performance. In the second half John Bullock was a wrecking ball in the backfield causing negative plays left and right. He was a difference maker today. Mikai Gbayor was huge as well, but a questionable targeting call took him out late in the game. Nebraska sacked Sanders SIX times, and pressured him much more. I don’t know if Sanders was hurt physically or just emotionally at the end of the game, but the backup QB came in and he went off to the locker room. The defense kept up its same energy in the second half, so good effort again by the Tony White led unit.
Special Teams:
Kickers. I said since the spring game that I was concerned about the Huskers kicking situation. Tristian Alavano was inconsistent at best as a true freshman last year, and in the spring game appeared to be just as shaky. Then, in the summer, it was revealed he had a groin injury. Oh no. Would John Hohl step up to the plate? Turns out Rhule still believed in Alavano, who missed a field goal from the 31-yard line that could have cost momentum….and it almost did as Colorado almost scored soon after before we blocked their kick attempt. Again…… going forward, this must be figured out. Rhule needs to find someone consistent, as field goals will cost us games down the line if we don’t. On punt returns, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda took two for a total of 16 yards. Still far better than this time last year. For punting, Brian Buschini “Boomchini” had one questionable punt but also knocked one for 60 yards. Very impressive, just needs to be consistent.
Final Thoughts:
Finish- can the Huskers learn to finish? The first half had the Husker team getting breaks that we typically don’t see go our way. It was like the football gods finally lifted a curse. But would the Huskers take the foot off the throat and shoot themselves in the foot as they so often did the last ten years? The second half felt like the Huskers of old. Three and outs, and penalties killing drives. It was like we left the energy in the locker room, at least offensively. I think that had some to do with the coaches wanting to play conservative and run clock, and not turn the ball over. Still, the offense has weapons that need to be used. The offense needs to keep momentum. Luckily, we closed this one out. I thought we would definitely storm the field, but only few did. I certainly think that if we had a second half like the first half the crowd would have had the energy to do it. I certainly think it was warranted, oh well. Husker nation, we are 2-0 for the first time since 2016 and we beat the most hated team in college football. Celebrate.
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