Courtesy Nebraska Athletics
All season long, Husker fans have been waiting for Nebraska to put together a great fourth quarter. They did it in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, though maybe next time Husker fans would prefer the first half of the game go better.
After a scoreless first half and a 7-3 lead through three quarters, Nebraska (4-1) scored 21 straight points to lock down control in a 28-10 victory over Purdue in the Huskers’ first road game of the season.
The fourth quarter was all Nebraska, as NU outscored the Boilermakers 21-7, outgained them 159-87 and held the ball nine minutes to Purdue’s six minutes of possession.
The first half was a scoreless slog, with Nebraska getting six possessions, all of which crossed into Purdue territory and three of them ending in missed field goals of 42, 44 and 32, the last two getting blocked. The Huskers outgained the Boilermakers 210-89, but had no points to show for it. The frustration built as Purdue nibbled its way down the field to open the third quarter, burning eight minutes and eight seconds to run 13 plays and gain 55 yards, culminating in a 45-yard field goal by Seth Porath.
Nebraska took over on its 30 and was helped by two Purdue personal fouls, moving the ball to the Boilermakers 20. Three straight runs gave the Huskers second and goal at the seven-yard line. Two plays later, Dylan Raiola found Jahmal Banks for a six-yard touchdown to give Nebraska the lead and start a 28-straight-point barrage.
The first play of the fourth quarter set the tone for the Huskers. Raiola hit Banks for a 26-yard gain, putting NU at the Purdue 38. Emmett Johnson followed with a 16-yard run. Two plays later, Raiola found Isaiah Neyor for a 14-yard gain, giving the Huskers first-and-goal at the five. Two runs and a pass moved Nebraska to the one before Dante Dowdell powered in from one yard out to push the NU lead to 14-3.
The Boilermakers went three-and-out on their next drive, giving the Huskers the ball at their 33-yard line. Nebraska seemed to be moving after the drive started with Raiola hitting Rahmir Johnson for a 15-yard gain. But back-to-back Husker penalties cost NU 25 yards and set up 2nd-and-29 from the Nebraska 29. But a Raiola pass to Emmett Johnson gained 27 yards and with a 15-yard facemask on Purdue, the Huskers had it at the Boilers’ 29. Two plays later, Jacory Barney, Jr., ran it in from 26 yards out for a touchdown to push the lead to 21-3, NU.
On the ensuing drive, Purdue took over on its 25. After a three-yard run, a Hudson Card pass was intercepted by John Bullock, his first career interception, and he returned it 26 yards for a touchdown to seal the game for Nebraska. Purdue was able to tally a touchdown on its final drive, cutting Nebraska’s final margin to 18.
Nebraska’s offense showed solid balance. Raiola was 17-for-27 for 257 yards and a touchdown through the air while getting sacked just once. Meanwhile, the Huskers’ run game averaged five yards per carry (32 carries, 161 yards). Barney was the Huskers leading rusher, with four carries for 66 yards and a touchdown while Emmett Johnson carried eight times for 50 yards. Eight different Huskers caught a pass, led by Banks, who had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Ceyair Wright and Mikai Gbayor tied for the team lead in tackles with five each, while Wright broke up two passes. James Williams had two sacks while M.J. Sherman had 1.5. The Blackshirts held Purdue’s run game, a concern entering the matchup, to just 1.5 yards per carry, while sacking Card five times.
Nebraska now prepares for a homecoming matchup with Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 for the first time since 2012.