It was ugly, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers are 4-1. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Nebraska offense woke up against the Purdue Boilermakers, but they managed to score 28 unanswered points to win 28-10. The Boilermakers’ defense gave the Huskers some fits but freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola ended up being too much. Here are the takeaways from Nebraska’s win on Saturday and a preview of this week.
Nebraska Football improves to 4-1, moves on to Rutgers
Slow Start in West Lafayette, found itself in the second half
Nebraska vs Purdue at the half 😅 pic.twitter.com/nYDealvvkS
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024
It was not an ideal start for the Huskers as they drove down the field too close to the red zone multiple times before being shut down by multiple different factors. Those factors were badly timed penalties, the Boilermakers defense and not being able to close out drives. Nebraska missed three field goals in the first half, including two that were blocked by Purdue and the Huskers were held to zero points despite having 197 yards of offense. Luckily, the Blackshirts showed up and held the Boilermakers to zero points as well.
The tenseness among Husker nation was palpable as the fears of another letdown were setting in. It continued into the beginning of the third quarter when senior quarterback Hudson Card and the Purdue offense ended an eight-minute drive with a field goal to go up 3-0 with about six minutes to go. However, Raiola and the Nebraska offense managed to find the endzone after a long drive of its own. The Huskers first touchdown drive changed the game as it led to 28 unanswered points, including a pick-six by senior linebacker John Bullock to seemingly end any hopes for the Boilermakers.
Raiola has continued to prove the hype and played an efficient game, completing 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr has become a major weapon for the Nebraska offense, especially in the wide receiver run game. Barney led the team in rushing yards on Saturday, with four carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Jahmal Banks led the Huskers in receiving with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Nebraska scores 14 points in less than a minute! 🔥 @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/hxaOfLV2Nk
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 28, 2024
Defensively, Nebraska returned to a similar form when it shut down the Colorado Buffaloes offense a few weeks ago. Up until the Boilermakers’ final 75-yard touchdown drive during garbage time, the Huskers held their offense to just over 150 total yards. The front seven was able to get to the quarterback, sacking Card five times and getting nine tackles for loss as well. This is very positive to see as it has been a tough couple weeks for Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball. Now, the Blackshirts will be tested once again this week against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Undefeated Rutgers heading to Lincoln
Victory Monday!
Wins of the Week presented by @Visit_NJ
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) September 30, 2024
The Huskers return home on Saturday to take on the Scarlet Knights, who have started off to an unexpected 4-0 start, including wins over the Virginia Tech Hokies on the road and the Washington Huskies. It will certainly be a test for Nebraska.
Rutgers gives the Huskers an interesting matchup with star senior running back Kyle Monagai and one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), The Scarlet Knights offensive line has consistently graded highly, specifically for run blocking on a week-to-week basis. Just this past week, senior offensive tackle Hollin Pierce was graded with an 88.0 in run blocking against the Huskies. Overall this season, Rutgers is ranked No. 2 overall in total run blocking with an average grade of 86.6, only behind Army West Point.Â
Last season, the Huskers had one of the best run defenses in the country and that has somewhat continued into this season. Nebraska ranks as the No. 15 best-rushing defense in the country, allowing 85.4 rushing yards a game. However, the Huskers have had their issues in a couple of games this season most specifically against Illinois. The Fighting Illini rushed for 166 yards, which is the most Nebraska has allowed this season, and some of it had to do with tackling in the open field. Illinois and even Northern Iowa were able to get to the second level several times. The Huskers did improve last week against the Boilermakers, only allowing 50 rushing yards all game. Any improvement will be put to the test against the Scarlet Knights.Â
Monangai is ranked No. 5 in the country in rushing yards with 97 carries for 589 yards and six touchdowns. He is Rutgers’ main impact player and if the Nebraska defense can limit his impact, that will be a step in the right direction. Senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has had a decent start to the season. Through four games, Kaliakmanis has completed 59 of 96 passes for 761 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception. The senior quarterbacks’ top receiver is senior wide receiver Dymere Miller, who has caught 15 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.Â
Rutgers’ pass defense is ranked in the top 40, allowing around 179 yards a game, but the rush defense has been hit or miss so far. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 172.8 rushing yards per game. It could be something that offensive coordinators Glenn Thomas and Marcus Satterfield look to target. Establishing the run game will be the key to success for Nebraska on Saturday, which will open up the passing lanes as well. If Raiola and the passing offense are able to move the ball efficiently as they did in the second half against Purdue, the Huskers will have an advantage. It will just come down to stopping the run.Â
Nebraska and Rutgers face off at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium being broadcasted on FS1.Â
Main Image: © Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
