Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph leads the group to the sector earlier than the sport in opposition to Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Memorial Stadium.
The uncommon massive play from Nebraska’s particular groups sweetened a bitter first-half stretch and helped the Huskers forge a 21-21 tie with Indiana at halftime.
Early within the second quarter, Husker linebacker Chris Kolarevic blocked a punt that had barely left Indiana punter James Evans’ foot and freshman cornerback Malcolm Hartzog — getting the primary begin of his profession — returned it 30 yards for a rating. It was first NU blocked punt for a landing since 2009, and Nebraska’s first particular groups rating of any type since 2018.
It gave the Huskers a 14-7 lead in a half dominated by penalties (15 incurred between the 2 groups ), blitzing defenses and annoyed quarterbacks.
NU quarterback Casey Thompson accomplished 11 of 14 passes for 164 yards and a landing, however he additionally took two intentional grounding penalties and an 11-yard sack on a third-and-2 play. When Thompson left the sector after the sack, Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple yelled at Thompson for 35 seconds, motioning, at one level, for Thompson to get away from him.
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NU led 7-0 on the time. Quickly, the sport can be tied as Thompson’s backup, Chubba Purdy, entered the sport, absorbed a sack in Nebraska’s personal finish zone, coughing the ball up as he sat on a Hoosier participant. IU defensive finish Myles Jackson recovered the fumble for a landing.
The Huskers went three-and-out on their subsequent drive. So did Indiana — that’s when Kolarevic blocked the punt.
A 22-yard punt return by Trey Palmer arrange Nebraska’s subsequent landing drive, as Thompson hit passes of 14, 10 and 21 to arrange Jaquez Yant’s one-yard plunge for a rating. Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak, chilly for a lot the primary half, hit passes 28, 15 and 13 — the final of them for a landing — on the next drive. Nebraska’s subsequent possession obtained blown up by a private foul on Turner Corcoran — ejected for throwing a punch — and Indiana shortly capitalized, going 70 yards in six performs and one minute, 53 seconds to tie the sport.
The Huskers scored on their first drive of the evening, then struggled to get out of its personal means with penalties and miscues. Corcoran obtained ejected from the sport, officers mentioned, for throwing a punch at an Indiana participant who was on the bottom. By the tip of the primary half, NU’s offensive line consisted of Brant Banks, Ethan Piper, Trent Hixson, Broc Bando and Hunter Anthony.