Northwestern Leads Nebraska 14-13 At The Half

Nebraska started with a false start penalty on their first play on offense. Their third play from scrimmage was a 33-yard run by Devine Ozigbo. On the fifth play, Adrian Martinez hits JD Spielman for a 42-yard touchdown reception. It’s a nice quick drive. Nebraska goes up 7 – 0.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of bounds. Nebraska has two penalties within the 1:30 of play.

Northwestern does not pick up their first attempt at third and long. Lamar Jackson let his receiver get behind him, but made an athletic play, tipping the ball up in the air just enough so the receiver could not catch it. It was a touchdown-saving moment for Jackson.

Nebraska killed Northwestern on their first offensive drive with the downfield pass. It would only make sense that they then would go away from it. The next Husker Drive went for 12 plays in 52 yards but didn’t result in any points as Barrett Pickering missed a 45-yard field goal.

Nebraska’s next drive was a three-and-out. It is as if we don’t know how to get a two-score lead.

The fourth offensive drive was going fine until Jerald Foster got called for holding, which put Nebraska in a second and 20. The next play went to JD Spielman for 3 yards, resulting in third and 17. On third down, Martinez hit Ozibgo for 7 yards. Nebraska punted.

At this point in the game, Nebraska had 181 yards – 85 rushing, 96 passing. Oh look, it’s nearly balanced. Granted, Martinez missed on a few downfield throws. He overthrew Stanley Morgan Jr when Morgan had a step on his defender.

Northwestern’s first score the game came on a nine play, 80-yard drive that looked way too easy. The Wildcats finished it off on a third and seven when Clayton Thorson hit a wide-open Flynn Nagel for a 21-yard touchdown to tie the game.

The Wildcats were gifted their second touchdown when Martinez was hit on a blitz, fumbling the ball which was then returned for a free touchdown. All the Nebraska fans across the world nodded as if knowing this had to happen sooner or later.

Nebraska would appear to even the score on an eight-play, 83-yard drive, capped off when Ozigbo scored on a 12 yard run up the middle, untouched. Pickering missed the PAT.

The good news is that Nebraska has scored a lot of points in the second half so far this season. Northwestern, not so much.