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Last-Second Field Goal Dooms Nebraska at Minnesota

By Kaleb Henry Aug 31, 2023 | 11:17 PM

Mistakes and missed opportunities.

That sums up Nebraska’s 13-10 loss at Minnesota Thursday to being the 2023 campaign and the Matt Rhule era. This is the fourth-consecutive season-opening loss for the Huskers.

Both teams started slow on offense, with the Gophers notching a field goal early in the second quarter. The Big Red offense had added issues with a pair of Jeff Sims interceptions, one in the end zone just before halftime.

But out of the break, Nebraska took over the game.

Rahmir Johnson returned the kickoff to the Minnesota 35. After a rush for a yard, Nebraska called “Osborne”: a trick play with a pitch to the right to Anthony Grant who throws it back to Sims on the left to throw the ball downfield. Instead of how it’s drawn up, the pass back to Sims went off his hands, bounced off the turf a couple times and back into Sims’s hands, and then Sims hit a wide open Alex Bullock 34 yards downfield for a touchdown.

At that point, the Blackshirts began to get rolling.

Nebraska forced a three-and-out on the ensuing Gopher drive. After an NU punt, Omar Brown grabbed an interception at the Husker 20. That turned into a Tristan Alvano field goal and a seven point lead for Big Red.

And then, nothing went right for the Nebraska offense.

A quick, 26 second three-and-out by Minnesota was met by a 55-second three-and-out for NU. That included a pair of incomplete passes on first and second down.

Another Gopher punt had Big Red with the ball, a seven point lead, and 7:17 to go in the game. This would be the exact situation Rhule wants for his team: to be physical and control the clock.

Four plays later, Minnesota had the ball at midfield after Grant fumbled the ball. The Gophers turned that into a touchdown, tying the game at 10-10.

Still, Nebraska had possession with 2:32 to go and a chance to drive for the game winner score. But as he had down all night, Sims stared down his target to throw his third interception of the game.

Minnesota picked up 21 yards to position their kicker for a 47-yard, game-winning field goal, which went perfectly down the middle as time expired.

Nebraska outgained Minnesota 295 to 251, including a dominant effort on the ground with 181 yards while giving up just 55. After the Gophers began 6-of-9 on third downs, the Blackshirts held them to 2-of-8 the rest of the game.

Sims finished 11-of-29 through the air for one touchdown and three interceptions. He also ran for 91 yards on 19 attempts, leading Nebraska in both categories.

Overall, the Blackshirts played well, but was one play from making the winning play. On the third down before Minnesota’s game-tying touchdown, Gopher quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis put a ball into the end zone that bounced off the hands of Husker defensive back Isaac Gifford.

If that ball is picked off, Nebraska’s odds of winning the game improve exponentially.

As it stands, that one play wasn’t made, and, with the mistakes and missed opportunities on offense, Big Red begins another season 0-1.

Nebraska has an extended break after the Thursday game, but stays on the road for the next game. NU is at Colorado Sept. 9.

Nebraska Communications Notes

  • Tonight’s game marked the fourth consecutive season Nebraska has opened away from home against a Big Ten Conference opponent.
  • The Huskers lost their third consecutive game in the month of August, falling to 14-3 all-time in the month.
  • Nebraska lost to Minnesota for the fifth straight time, as the Gophers improved to 8-5 against the Huskers as Big Ten Conference foes and 37-25-2 all-time.
  • Nebraska fell to 98-31-5 all-time in season openers, losing the season opener for the fourth straight season.
  • Minnesota’s 251 total yards were the fewest yards Nebraska allowed since limiting Maryland to 206 yards on Nov. 23, 2019.
  • Running back Rahmir Johnson had a 63-yard kickoff return to open the second half. The 63-yard kickoff return was a career long for Johnson and the longest by a Husker since a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by JD Spielman against Arkansas State in 2017.
  • Sophomore receiver Alex Bullock had three receptions for 56 yards in tonight’s game, the first three receptions of his career. Bullock scored Nebraska’s first points of the night with a 35-yard TD reception in the third quarter.
  • True freshman defensive end Cameron Lenhardt earned a start in tonight’s game. He is only the ninth Husker true freshman (excluding kickers) to start a season opener since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972.
  • Lenhardt joins Maliek Collins as the only true freshmen defensive linemen to start a game for Nebraska since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972. Collins started one game as a true freshman during the 2013 season, earning a start in the 2014 Gator Bowl.
  • Minnesota native Bryce Benhart made his 30th career start, all of which have come at right tackle. Benhart joins Eric Anderson, Dan Vili Waldrop and Zach Wiegert as the fourth Husker to start 30 games at right tackle.
  • Minneapolis native Omar Brown intercepted a third quarter pass to end a Gopher scoring threat. The pick was the first of Brown’s Nebraska career and his ninth career interception.
  • Blaise Gunnerson and Nash Hutmacher each recorded their first career sack in the fourth quarter.
  • Running back Gabe Ervin had a career-long 27-yard run in the third quarter, bettering a 21-yard run against Buffalo in 2021.
  • Senior linebacker Luke Reimer made five tackles in tonight’s game to increase his career total to 250. He is the 13th Husker with 250 career tackles.
  • Punter Brian Buschini had a 60-yard punt in the first quarter of tonight’s game. He now has 50 punts of 50 yards or more in his collegiate career.
  • Cornerback Quinton Newsome made his 25th consecutive start in tonight’s game.
  • Tonight’s game captains were OT Bryce Benhart, RB Gabe Ervin, DE Blaise Gunnerson and S Omar Brown.