Blackshirts record eight sacks as Nebraska defeats Northwestern

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska football celebrated 100 years of Memorial Stadium on Saturday with a win over Northwestern.

The Huskers prevailed 17-9 after a rocky start, with the Blackshirts’ eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss making up for offensive mistakes.

Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg threw an interception on the first play, but the defense stopped Northwestern on third down.

Haarberg was intercepted again later in the first quarter, and the Wildcats took over at Nebraska’s 13-yard line.

A penalty and a sack pushed Northwestern back, but the Wildcats still got 3 points on a 45-yard field goal by Jack Olsen.

Nebraska responded on the next drive with a 47-yard kick by Tristan Alvano.

Northwestern ended the first quarter with 0 net yards; Nebraska had 48.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats put together a drive highlighted by a 39-yard run by Anthony Tyus III.

But the Blackshirts got a stop in the red zone to hold Northwestern to a field goal.

Nebraska took the lead with 23 seconds left in the first half, when Heinrich Haarberg ran into the end zone from 3 yards out.

Northwestern marched deep into Nebraska territory in the third quarter, thanks to a 32-yard pass from Brendan Sullivan to A.J. Henning.

But a penalty and a sack again derailed the Wildcats, who missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.

Early in the fourth quarter, Husker freshman Malachi Coleman made his first touchdown catch on a 44-yard pass from Haarberg.

Northwestern had another big play on the next possession – a 66-yard pass from Sullivan to Bryce Kirtz – and got all the way to Nebraska’s 5-yard line.

But the Blackshirts again held the Wildcats to a field goal.

Northwestern outgained Nebraska by 9 yards, but the Wildcats’ eight penalties cost them 75 yards.

Haarberg completed eight of 17 passes for 85 yards.

Emmett Johnson led Nebraska on the ground, with 73 yards on 12 carries.

Coleman’s TD was his only catch of the game, but it was enough to make him the leading receiver.

Nebraska, 4-3, will play Purdue at home next Saturday. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. on FS1.