Nebraska fans had pegged this game as a loss before the season started. Most, anyway. Going into today’s game, most hoped it wouldn’t be a blow out, one of those games where our beloved Huskers give up some sort of NCAA record to Jonathan Taylor.

Nebraska 7-0

We have hope!

Wisconsin decides to throw the ball for whatever reason. Jonathan Taylor reels it in, then fumbles along the sideline. The ball is not picked up by anyone initially, but doesn’t go out of bounds. Nebraska coaches have to scream at their defensive players to get on the ball. This is not good. What’s good is our beloved Huskers recover.

They then go on to score.

Nebraska fans are all relieved they can release those damned balloons and not hold onto them for three quarters and have to stare at them for a long time remembering how it used to be.

Nebraska 12 yd RUSH TD scored by Dedrick Mills.

(Scoring Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 1:48)

Nebraska 7 - Wisconsin 7

Wisconsin 89 yd KO TD scored by Cruickshank, A.

(Scoring Drive: plays, yards, )

Then that happened and they didn’t throw a flag. This is the kind of thing that is hope crushing.

Wisconsin 10 - Nebraska 7

Nebraska gives up a fourth down conversion, but the defense to this point looks fairly intact. Husker fans everywhere bite their nails, do shots, and await impending doom.

IT’S COMING. IMPENDING DOOM.

But not on this drive. Nebraska’s defense plays well, holds the Badgers to a field goal (what a line to write).

Wisconsin 31 yd FG scored by Larsh, Collin

(Scoring Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:44)

Nebraska 14 - Wisconsin 10

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.

Dedrick Mills is running like he’s pissed off that Jonathan Taylor gets more press than him. At this point, Mills has 97 yards on 12 carries, an 8.1 yard per carry average. This is against one of the best rush defenses in the nation.

Nebraska 2 yd RUSH TD scored by Adrian Martinez

(Scoring Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:46)

Wisconsin 17 - Nebraska 14

The Badgers score on their longest pass play of the season. It was a great play by Wisconsin. Jack Coan put the ball where it had to be on the run for AJ Taylor. Nebraska tackling was poor, and boom!

Wisconsin 55 yd PASS TD scored by Taylor, A.J.

(Scoring Drive: 5 plays, 86 yards, 2:46)

Wisconsin 24 - Nebraska 14

Adrian Martinez has a pass tipped and intercepted. Not exactly my man Adrian’s fault, but it sets Wisconsin up for a short field and they score.

Wisconsin 1 yd RUSH TD scored by Taylor, J.

(Scoring Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:25)

At this point, as a Nebraska fan, you are pooping yourself. You’re ready for impending DOOM.

It could be coming.

Wisconsin 27 - Nebraska 14

And there it is. Impending DOOM.

Yet Nebraska holds Wisconsin’s offense to a

Wisconsin 24 yd FG scored by Larsh, Collin

(Scoring Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 3:55)

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Nebraska was doing well until turnovers. Again. It’s not about the fact that Wisconsin turned the ball over to our beloved Huskers and we scored off that. It’s about how much a turnover breaks this team.

It’s about being mentally in the right place, having that broken apart by “OMG NOT AGAIN” and you look at a team that isn’t mentally tough enough to get over their mistakes. They break down all together.

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Second Half

Nebraska starts the half forcing a three and out against Wisconsin.

Next drive, Nebraska does a decent job of moving the ball down the field, but misses a field goal. It doesn’t look horrible right now.

Wisconsin 34 - Nebraska 14

The Badgers just moved themselves down the field. Taylor has to be the strongest running back in the history of everything since Ron Dayne. I know we complain about tackling, but you go tackle that guy and try to not end up in the hospital.

Wisconsin 11 yd RUSH TD scored by Taylor, J.

(Scoring Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 5:29)

Wisconsin 34 - Nebraska 21

Nebraska scores in 91 seconds.

Nebraska went like this:

Dedrick Mills 11 yards rush.

Martinez to Jack Stolle for 20 yards.

Nebraska 23 yd PASS TD scored by JD Spielman

(Scoring Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:31)

I have no idea what happens next.

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Fourth Quarter Begins:

It’s not horrible. It’s not as horrible as you think it is. Nebraska is down two scores. The team isn’t playing like a wretched bunch of losers. They’re playing like they might give a shit.

The offense scoring on the last drive gave the defense a boost. Faith. Courage?

If the defense can snuff out a stop, it will boost the offense.

Nebraska gets down the field. They do not score.

They go for it on 4th and four as Martinez runs a draw and is tackled.

Interesting point - Mills is running up and down the field, and then Wyatt Mazour (whom I love dearly and he reminds me of Rex Burkhead) can do nothing on that plays that he’s afforded.

Wisconsin 37 - Nebraska 21

The Badgers run down the field, taking time and mashing on rushing yardage for Taylor.

Wisconsin 30 yd FG scored by Larsh, Collin

(Scoring Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 5:27)

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Conclusion

Our beloved Huskers had two chances at scoring on fourth down in this game. Both failed.

Two big plays killed Nebraska:

The kickoff return - 89 yards by Wisconsin

The tipped ball and interception.

Nebraska played a decent game.

They just didn’t have enough to get it done over a very good Wisconsin team.

Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor finished with 204 yards on 25 carries for and 8.2 yard per carry average.