On a breezy however sunny September afternoon, the Nebraska Cornhuskers prevailed of their house opener in opposition to the North Dakota Combating Hawks 38-17 in a recreation that wasn’t determined till the fourth quarter. The Huskers improved to 14-0 all-time in opposition to FCS opponents but it surely was wrestle because the opponents dominated time of possession within the first half (20:38-9:22) and the Huskers had simply 24 offensive snaps earlier than intermission.

Between the Blackshirts’ sloppy tackling and the offensive line’s incapability to gel, the Huskers stumbled after a fast rating on their opening possession and had subsequent drives finish with a fumble, a punt, and a missed area purpose. In the meantime, North Dakota, put collectively a 16-play 80-yard scoring drive that consumed practically half the second quarter and knotted the rating at seven a chunk. They have been aided by SIX timeouts as head coach Scott Frost contributed the Huskers’ three stoppages to ensure that the Hawks to attain with :13 remaining. The shortage of clock administration allowed Nebraska to kneel to finish the half. It was additionally puzzling to see Husker defenders rejoice the Hawks conversion of a 4th and 1 with a 2-yard completion from the 5-yard line. I can solely conclude that the gamers thought that North Dakota was in a 4th and purpose scenario. The shortage of recreation consciousness is regarding from each gamers and coaches.

As we speak marked the fourth recreation in a row relationship again to final season that Nebraska scored on its opening drive. When the Huskers went 75-yards in six performs to begin the second half scoring (in simply 1:48), it marked the second week in a row that they scored on their first drive of the second half. Maybe the Husker offense ought to run again into the tunnel after each rating since they accomplish that properly popping out of the locker room. Following a North Dakota fumble, Nebraska added a area purpose to once more to once more command a double digit second half lead. And, for the second week in a row, it took simply 4:14 for them to give up that benefit.

However the distinction this week is that the Husker protection bowed up and restricted the Hawks to simply 55 yards within the last 19:22 of the sport. In the meantime, in that very same span, the offense had only one poor possession and tallied 183 yards whereas scoring 21 factors to place the sport out of attain. The important thing play got here with 10 minutes to play and the Huskers main simply 24-17. Going through a third and 14 from their very own 7-yard line, a Casey Thompson cross discovered Trey Palmer who out jumped two defenders for a 31-yard acquire. That contributed to a game-clinching 89-yard scoring drive wherein the Huskers ran for seven of the subsequent eight performs, culminating with a 14-yard TD scamper by true freshman Ajay Allen.

The Huskers have a mess of issues on each side of the ball as each traces have faltered in opposition to mediocre competitors. But it surely was encouraging this week to see them put on down an opponent and win the 4th quarter. The brand new gamers have added a much-needed spark and will not be absolutely polluted with the tendency to count on the worst when adversity strikes. I would come with defender Ochuan Mathis on this group as he battled within the center all through, regardless of being repeatedly held by offensive linemen.

What defines “focusing on” for Large Ten officers? After immediately’s recreation, I’m extra confused than ever. When a defender launches, hits an opponent within the helmet and isn’t going for the ball, I used to be beneath the impression that was focusing on. Apparently, not when the receiver has a “N” on their helmet. Additionally, once you hit a quarterback late, but it surely’s not dominated focusing on, it’s apparently additionally not a late hit. Puzzling or simply poor officiating?

Casey Thompson accomplished 14 of 21 passes for 193 yards and threw landing passes to a pair of backup tight ends. He additionally threw a horrible ball that was picked off and returned to the Husker 8-yard line after the Huskers had taken a ten-point lead. An enormous change this week was that the Huskers threw simply 22 instances in contrast with 41 rushes. Thompson rushed six instances for -2 yards. He had two good runs for 10 and 14 yards, that was negated by two sacks that misplaced 27 yards. It seems that Thompson is a good scrambler and will do properly to drag the ball and run on a few of the run-pass choices, however he appears hesitant to take action. Maybe a few journeys to the harm tent simply provides to that hesitation.

The offensive star of the sport was working again Anthony Grant who rushed 23 instances for 189 yards together with landing runs of 19 and 46 yards. Grant is finest when he has some house and there may be valuable little up the center. His potential to chop and slide exterior makes him a harmful again and he’ll solely be higher if the offensive line can begin to create the type of push they did within the latter levels of immediately’s recreation. Maybe his finest run was when he turned a bobble within the backfield, and close to turnover, right into a 16-yard acquire. Grant is the primary Husker again to have back-to-back 100-yard video games since Devine Ozigbo who had three in a row in October 2018. Ajay Allen added 60 yards on simply 11 carries ( a 5.3 yard common) and it’s all however assured that the true freshman will burn his redshirt.

Trey Palmer (4 catches for 82 yards) set a profession excessive in receiving yards. Nate Boerkircher (2 catches for 32 yards) garnered his first profession landing along with his 19-yard seize over the center within the third quarter. Marcus Washington (2 catches for 31 yards) had a magnificence on the sideline that was initially dominated incomplete. Alante Brown and Omar Manning every added two catches as Manning made his season debut. Chancelor Brewington can do greater than blow up defenders when working in movement. As we speak he caught a 5-yard TD cross and in addition obtained nailed within the head “that was not focusing on.”

The Blackshirts gave up 306 yards in 70 performs. In all probability most shocking is that they surrendered simply 7 factors in a primary half the place North Dakota held the ball for 20:38. There have been nonetheless far too many missed tackles, particularly within the first half, stopping the protection from getting off the sphere. The protection was led by an emotionally charged Garrett Nelson who tied for the staff lead with 8 tackles, pressured a fumble, had a sack, and knocked down a cross. He has not less than one deal with for loss in 13 of 17 video games performed. Isaac Gifford added 8 stops together with a deal with for loss with Luke Reimer contributing 7 tackles, leaving him only one shy of cracking the Prime 50 in profession stops. Ernest Hausman (5 tackles) turned simply the fifth true freshman to begin at linebacker since 1993. Marcus Buford (5 tackles with a TFL) saved a landing twice on one drive when he tackled Isaiah Smith after a 63-yard acquire on the NU 6-yd line after which broke up a cross in the long run zone of third and purpose. I acknowledged Ochaun Mathis (2 tackles) above who was very disruptive within the center and garnered a sack as properly.

Particular groups have been a combined blessing on this recreation as Brian Buschini continues to be a energy along with his punting despite the fact that he solely had two kicks averaging 42.0 yards. The wind was blowing constantly at 15-20 mph and it made kicking and catching a tough problem. Timmy Bleekrode notched his first Husker area purpose from 46-yards with the wind and missed huge left from 37-yards in opposition to the wind. The squib kickoff from midfield was not the bonehead onside name like final week and solely value the Huskers 6 web yards in area place. Brendan Franke was stable with kicking 5 touchbacks in seven kickoff makes an attempt. What Wyatt Liewer was doing making an attempt to choose up a punted ball about to be downed is anybody’s guess. It might have resulted in a turnover however didn’t and he’s definitely lucky that stupidity wasn’t pricey in that occasion.

The Huskers are nonetheless a piece in progress. There are lots of flaws to handle, and they’re clearly not able to play Oklahoma, not to mention the stability of the convention schedule. However subsequent up is Georgia Southern who immediately scored 28 fourth quarter factors in path to a 59-7 trouncing of the Morgan State Bears. Nothing can be simple for this Husker squad, however let’s take it one week at a time and see the way it performs out. I together with many Husker followers simply need to see some ongoing proof of enchancment. Go Large Pink!!

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