On a game where everything that could arise against the Huskers, it did. The Huskers fought hard and held USC’s high powered passing game to the least amount of completions and yards they have had all year. The offensive line held up ok, and the play calling seemed to be geared to helping get the ball out quicker. A game plan that was thrown into turmoil when starting quarterback Raiola left in the third quarter with what appears to be a high ankle sprain.
With everything that happened in this game, USC still needed to lean on trick plays to defeat the Huskers in a Memorial Stadium that was loud. The blackout definitely lived up to the hype, the game just swayed the other way in the end.
If the defensive line and linebackers would have had a better performance, USC would’ve struggled mightily but instead the front seven gave up 5.3 yards per carry to a third string running back. Linebackers just seemed to be slow on fits and defensive lineman were getting blown off the ball on the snap. Nwaneri seemed to be the bright spot on defense. The secondary played exceptionally well as USC didnt even attemp a pass Ceyair Wrights way forcing all passed on safteys or Andrew Marshal.
Emmett Johnson had another great game turning runs that would’ve yielded nothing into 10 yard runs and went over 1,000 yards on the season tonight. However, with the game on the line Johnson slipped on 4th and 1 ending the Huskers chances. While Johnson led the team again this week, Raiola was very steady throughout the game until his injury. His back-up TJ Lateef came in and played well but as a true freshman he seemed to be limited in his reads.
With the Huskers out of playoff contention all focus shifts to the health of Dylan Raiola. With an ankle injury such as a high ankle sprain, it will be touch and go and Husker nation wont know if Raiola will be ready to start next week until at least Wednesday. At the end of the day the pre-season fear of a young and small defensive line seems to be the weakness of this talented team. Looking forward to Penn State and Iowa that concern should be front of mind for all Husker fans as both of those teams can run the ball very well.