Slow start from Nebraska overcome by second half explosion

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska football team kicked off their first road game with a win, taking down Purdue 28-10 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

With a barrage of night games to start the season, it took the Huskers some time to get going Saturday, but eventually exploded in the second half.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola finished the game completing 17 of his 27 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown.

Jahmal Banks led the Huskers through the air with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Huskers’ run game woke up in the second half, as 103 of their 161 rushing yards came in the third and fourth quarter.

Jacory Barney Jr. led the team in rushing with 66 yards and a touchdown.

The Blackshirts held the Purdue offense to 224 yards with a 1.6 yards-per-rush average.

They also won the turnover battle, getting a pick-six from senior linebacker John Bullock.

Nebraska moves to 4-1 on the season, and will head back to Memorial Stadium next Saturday to take on an undefeated Rutgers team.

First Quarter

The first quarter started slow for both teams, with Nebraska and Purdue playing sound defense.

A couple big plays from Jacory Barney Jr. got the Huskers into field goal range, but the kick from John Hohl went wide right, keeping the score tied at 0.

The Boilermakers used that momentum to put together a long drive of their own.

They got into field goal range, but kicker Spencer Porath wasn’t even close, keeping the score tied at 0.

Second Quarter

Nebraska started the second quarter by going for it on fourth down in Purdue territory.

Dylan Raiola threw the ball the Rahmir Johnson in the flat and Johnson took it to the house.

A controversial offensive pass interference call brought the touchdown back and the Huskers had to punt.

Nebraska got into field goal range once again, but the kick was blocked and the Boilermakers returned the kick all the way to midfield.

It’s now Purdue’s turn to get a touchdown called back. Quarterback Hudson Card threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Tibbs, but it was called back for offensive pass interference.

The Nebraska offense shined in the two minute drill once again. But the field goal unit just isn’t clicking.

Hohl trotted out there once again, and the kick was blocked once again. The score is tied at 0 to end the first half.

Raiola finished the first half completing 11 of his 19 passes for 161 yards. Jahmal Banks and Fidone each have three catches for 50 and 39 yards, respectively.

The run game has been scarce, with Barney Jr. leading the Huskers in rushing with 38 yards.

The Blackshirts have held the Purdue offense to just 67 total yards in the first half.

Third Quarter

Purdue started off the second half with a long 13-play, 55-yard drive that ended in the first points of the game.

Porath hit a 45-yard field goal to give the Boilermakers a 3-0 lead with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.

Nebraska finally put a drive together towards the end of the third quarter. The Huskers ran the ball six times to get into the red zone, and Raiola finished it off with 6-yard touchdown pass to Banks, giving the Huskers a 7-3 lead.

Fourth Quarter

The Huskers started the fourth quarter with an impressive drive. A couple long plays got the Big Red in the red zone and they paid it off on fourth and goal.

Dontae Dowdell ran it in from 1 yard out to give the Huskers a 14-3 lead.

Nebraska continued to cook in the fourth quarter. Barney Jr. got a speed sweep and took it 25-yards to the house to give the Huskers a 21-3 lead.

How about some defense? Linebacker John Bullock intercepted Card on the very next drive and took it all the way for a touchdown, giving Nebraska a 28-3 lead.

Purdue answered back, getting a 15-yard touchdown pass from Card to Smith, cutting Nebraska’s lead to 28-10.

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Nebraska football team is going on the road for the first time this season to take on Purdue at 11 a.m. in Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Huskers come into this one following an overtime loss to No. 24 Illinois, a game where the defense didn’t look the part.

It will be an interesting environment at Ross-Ade Stadium as the Boilermakers will look to use a sold-out crowd and the buzz of homecoming to pull off the upset.

The Blackshirts look to get right against a team that lacks explosiveness on the perimeter and has struggled to put up points all season.

Purdue Need-to-knows

Purdue has an aggressive defense. Dylan Raiola is going on the road for the first time in his college career and Purdue will look to be extra aggressive on defense to try and disrupt his rhythm.

By aggressive, I mean the Boilermakers will play a lot of man, press coverage on the perimeter and come after the quarterback at a high rate.

If Raiola can stay comfortable in the pocket and pick apart the Purdue defesne it could get out of hand early.

Purdue’s receivers have struggled to get separation all season. They are big, physical receivers, but they lack scary speed. They are easy to match up with.

Look for the Boilermakers to get quarterback Hudson Card out of the pocket to allow those receivers more time to get open downfield.

Score Predictions

Nate Johnson: Huskers win, 24-10

Jake Homan: Huskers win, 49-13

Mark Fischer: Huskers win, 31-10