Nebraska defeats Purdue for longest winning streak since 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska overpowered Purdue on Saturday with long passes, a stout defense and a boost from special teams.

The 31-14 victory gives the Huskers three straight wins – their longest streak since 2016.

But it didn’t come easy. Nebraska committed four turnovers and had to fend off a late rally by the Boilermakers.

It was 35 degrees at kickoff, with a wind chill of 24, and the cold hampered both teams.

Nebraska’s Garrett Snodgrass fumbled the opening kickoff return, and Purdue recovered the ball in NU territory.

But the Boilermakers lost 5 yards when quarterback Hudson Card fumbled the first snap. And despite the good field position, they couldn’t reach the end zone.

Later in the first quarter, Husker defensive back Quinton Newsome recovered a Purdue fumble, but Nebraska failed to take advantage.

The Huskers scored early in the second quarter on a 1-yard pass from Heinrich Haarberg to Thomas Fidone II.

Nebraska got the ball back when Tommi Hill picked off a long pass from Card.

And the Huskers immediately capitalized. On the first play of the drive, Haarberg threw 73 yards to Jaylen Lloyd for a TD.

Early in the third quarter, Haarberg fumbled, and Purdue recovered the ball at NU’s 13-yard line.

But the Blackshirts held strong. They sacked Card to force a field goal attempt, then blocked the kick.

Newsome ran the ball 68 yards to the end zone for another Nebraska touchdown.

The Huskers added three more points early in the fourth quarter with a career-long 55-yard field goal by Tristan Alvano.

The Boilermakers recovered another Haarberg fumble later in the fourth, and this time, it paid off.

Purdue scored its first points of the game on a 29-yard pass from Card to Jayden Dixon-Veal but couldn’t complete a 2-point conversion.

The Boilermakers struck again after stripping the ball from backup QB Jeff Sims.

Kydran Jenkins ran it in for a touchdown, and Andrew Sowinski threw a successful 2-point conversion.

Nebraska responded on the next possession with a 28-yard TD run by Emmett Johnson.

With just under two minutes left, Hill intercepted another pass to seal the win for NU.

Going into the game, Purdue was the better passing offense. Card had a 60% completion rate, compared with Haarberg’s 51%.

But on Saturday, the QBs were more evenly matched.

Haarberg completed 54% of his passes for 122 yards. Card was 50% for 100 yards.

And the Huskers averaged 11.1 yards per pass, compared with 3.2 for the Boilermakers.

Lloyd’s 73-yard TD was his only catch, but it made him the game’s leading receiver.

Emmett Johnson had 13 carries for 76 yards to lead Nebraska’s ground game.

The Blackshirts held Purdue to less than 200 yards, limiting the damage from Nebraska’s four turnovers.

The Huskers (5-3) will play at Michigan State next Saturday.