Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 Non-Conference update: Week 3

Each week we will go over Nebraska's non-conference opponents and how they fared against their competition.

All of Nebraska's non-conference opponents (except for Washington) won last weekend. Though the Huskers are looking quite shaky, it's still a good idea to keep an eye on how the opposition is doing in case the final BCS standing comes down to Strength-of-Schedule Remember 2001? Thanks TCU!

Tennessee-Chattanooga - Last week - Eastern Kentucky (W, 23-14). This week @Appalachian State (they are ranked 3rd in FCS).

Mocs top Colonels | timesfreepress.com

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team has proven in back-to-back weeks that it is, or would be, the class of the Ohio Valley Conference this season. A week after thumping Jacksonville State, the No. 17-ranked Mocs edged Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 10,100 at Roy Kidd Stadium. UTC's defense produced one big third-down stop after another, and two true freshmen scored rushing touchdowns in the second half to lift the Mocs to a 23-14 win.

Mocs freshmen deliver at EKU | timesfreepress.com

One true freshman scored the go-ahead touchdown and another sealed the win with a couple of hard runs in the final minutes. All over the field Saturday, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshmen were making a difference in the No. 17 Mocs’ 23-14 win at Eastern Kentucky. The Mocs (2-1), who visit No. 3 Appalachian State (2-1) this week, started four freshmen on offense and three on defense. Of the 48 UTC players that saw action in the game, 18 were freshmen — including six true freshmen.

Fresno State - Last Week - North Dakota (W,27-22). This week @Idaho.

College football: Sioux battle, fall to Fresno State | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

Fresno State, a program that prides itself on playing anyone, anywhere and at any time, had all it could handle from UND. But the Division I FBS school, fresh off a strong performance at No. 11 Nebraska, held off the Sioux 27-22 on Saturday night before 27,542 fans at Bulldog Stadium.

The Collegian " Fresno State steals close one in home opener

With the ball in the offense’s hands, Fresno State handed the rock to Rouse to put the game away and the junior didn’t disappoint. On the final third down of the game with the ‘Dogs needing 12 yards to seal a first down and the win, Rouse scampered for 18 yards to give Fresno State its first win of the season, 27-22. Rouse talked about the final play of the game.

Washington Huskies - Last Week - Nebraska (L, 38-51). This week vs. California.

Huskies | As Pac-12 opener nears, Washington has work to do | Seattle Times Newspaper

Washington appeared to get the short end of a couple of calls by the officials, and Huskies fans may long debate how the game would have turned out had those flags not been thrown. Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian said later that those calls helped contribute to what he called a "meltdown" in the third quarter, and that reaction will no doubt lead to one of the major "teachable moments" from this game. Given the nature of college football, bad calls are likely to happen again, and Sarkisian will no doubt tell his team it needs to react better the next time.

Wyoming - Last week - Bowling Green (W, 28-27). This week vs. Nebraska.

Right down to the wire | Laramie Boomerang | Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said it’s hard to lose a football game when a team forces six turnovers and blocks two kicks. Christensen’s Cowboys nearly proved that wrong, but didn’t thanks to a second blocked kick.

Wyoming blocks PAT to hold off Bowling Green, 28-27 | College Football Breakdown

Bowling Green-Bowling Green really let this one slip away as they started off strongly establishing a 14-7 lead and looked like a team that was not going to be stopped all afternoon. However, Wyoming’s defensive line stiffened a bit and the defense forced turnovers which allowed Wyoming behind freshman QB Brett Smith (25-38, 267, 1td) to throw themselves back into the game.

Wyoming vs Bowling Green Review: Three Up, Three Down - 7220 Report - A Wyoming Cowboys blog

Partly because of the two points listed above, for the second time in three games the Wyoming defense has given up over 500 yards of total offense. Allowing this amount of yardage is not at all ideal and will not cut it in the remaining games on the schedule.