A stout defensive effort by the Blackshirt propelled Nebraska to a 14-7 win over Rutgers Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Huskers defense came up biggest in the third quarter. After a blocked punt was returned to the two by Rutgers, the Blackshirts stiffened. Two plays lost three yards, but the Scarlet Knights got a fresh set of downs from three. Two Kyle Monangai runs gained just one yard, and after a Athan Kaliakmanis pass to Kyle Fletcher gained one yard on third down, on fourth-and-goal from the one, Kaliakmanis’s pass toward Chris Long was broken up by Marques Buford, Jr., denying the Scarlet Knights. After a three-and-out and a 12-yard punt return by Christian Dremel gave Rutgers the ball at the NU 28, Monangai was stuffed on a one-yard run. Then Kaliakmanis was sacked twice, first by Nash Hutmacher, then James Williams, and Rutgers was forced to punt, keeping the game 14-0 Nebraska.
The Huskers built the lead in the first half. After the teams traded punts, Nebraska took over on its 25-yard line. After a two-yard run by Dante Dowdell, Dylan Raiola hit Jacory Barney, Jr., for a 28-yard gain. Raiola then found Rahmir Johnson out of the backfield for a 36-yard gain to the nine, setting up first-and-goal. After gaining eight yards on three plays, Dowdell powered into the end zone from one yard out to put the Huskers on the board. The extra point made it 7-0.
The game stayed 7-0 until late in the second quarter. With 4:30 to go in the half, Kaliakmanis’ pass was intercepted by Buford, giving Nebraska the ball at its 28. A Dowdell run gained five, then two Emmett Johnson runs picked up six yards for a first down. Then a 31-yard pass from Raiola to Jahmal Banks took the ball down to the Rutgers 30. After Rahmir Johnson ran it 11 yards to the 12. Two plays later, Janiran Bonner charged in from 11 yards out to double Nebraska’s lead with 1:48 to go until halftime.
That would have to be enough for NU, as the offense struggled through the second half. Nebraska gained just 55 yards offensively after halftime. But the Huskers defense stepped up to the challenge, allowing just 11 yards in 15 plays in the third quarter. The Scarlet Knights finally cracked the scoreboard midway through the fourth quarter, as Kaliakmanis hit Ben Black for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the Huskers’ lead in half with 4:04 to go.
After one more Nebraska three-and-out, Rutgers took over at its 11 after a 61-yard punt by Brian Buschini. The Scarlet Knights picked up one first down, Kaliakmanis threw four straight incomplete passes, hurried by Williams twice, and Nebraska ran out the clock to win.
The Blackshirts piled up nine tackles for loss and four sacks. Williams led the charge with five tackles, two sacks and two more hurries. Isaac Gifford was Nebraska’s leading tackler with eight stops, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Buford broke up three passes and intercepted another. The defense stepped in after the offense struggled for most of the second half, only cracking midfield once in five drives before the game-ending drive, in which Nebraska just ran out the clock. Raiola had his toughest day as a Husker, 13-for-27, 134 yards and an interception. Rahmir Johnson led the receivers with three catches for 40 yards. Dowdell was the leading rusher with 14 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Nebraska will have this week off before taking on Indiana Oct. 19 in Bloomington, Ind.