Nebraska hands Rutgers first loss in defensive showcase
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska football knocked off an undefeated team on Saturday, beating Rutgers 14-7 at home.
The game was a defensive slugfest, with the Blackshirts coming up clutch in key moments.
The Scarlet Knights narrowly outgained the Huskers, moving the ball 264 yards, compared with 261 yards for NU.
But Rutgers had trouble finding the end zone.
Dylan Raiola completed 48% of his passes, and the Knights’ Athan Kaliakmanis completed 41%.
Jaylen Lloyd led Nebraska in receiving yards with 44, followed closely by Rahmir Johnson with 40.
On the ground, Dante Dowdell rushed for 57 yards to lead the Huskers.
Here’s the recap:
First Quarter
There was a heavy dose of Kyle Monangai to start the game for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights were able to drive down into field goal range, but came up empty after they tried to fake it.
The holder attempted to run the ball up the middle but cornerback Ceyair Wright stopped him short.
Nebraska used that momentum to dive the ball all the way down the field via Rahmir Johnson.
A long screen pass to Johnson got the Huskers down the field in a hurry, and Dontae Dowdell finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Huskers a 7-0 lead.
Second Quarter
Rutgers missed a chance to score when a Jai Patel field goal attempt from 52 yards out bounced off the goalpost.
Dylan Raiola threw an interception on Nebraska’s next drive, but it didn’t cost the Huskers, as Marques Buford Jr. soon intercepted a Rutgers pass.
The Huskers capitalized, adding to their lead on an 11-yard touchdown rush by Janiran Bonner.
NU recorded another interception in the final minute of the half to keep the Scarlet Knights off the board.
Third Quarter
About halfway into the quarter, Rutgers’ Jamier Wright-Collins blocked a Brian Buschini punt, and the Knights returned it to Nebraska’s 2-yard line.
But the Blackshirts held strong, keeping Rutgers out of the end zone as Buford broke up a pass on fourth down.
Fourth Quarter
With four minutes left, the Knights finally scored when Athan Kaliakmanis threw for 11 yards to Ben Black, who ran in the end zone.
But that was all the points they could manage.
What’s Next
Nebraska improves to 5-1 and is just one win away from clinching a bowl game, a long elusive goal.
The Huskers have bye week next Saturday, then will play at Indiana on Oct. 19.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Huskers make their way back to Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a homecoming matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Nebraska comes into this one with a 4-1 record following a 28-10 win over Purdue on the road.
The Blackshirts bounced back in a big way after getting gashed by Luke Altmyer and the Illinois offense the week before.
This is the seventh meeting all-time between Nebraska and Rutgers. The Huskers hold a 6-0 record, while getting a 14-13 win in 2022.
Rutgers need-to-knows
The Nebraska defense will have to be stout once again as Rutgers brings a strong running game to the table.
Wind gusts will be near 50 mph so it will be tough to throw the ball. Stopping the run will be goal No. 1 for the Blackshirts.
Kyle Monangai is the lead back for Rutgers. Last week against Washington he ran the ball 25 times for 132 and a touchdown, his fourth straight game with a score.
Today’s numbers
600: Today’s game will mark the 600th game ever at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers have an all-time record of 435-151-13 at Memorial Stadium.
0: Nebraska is one of two teams in the country to not allow a rushing touchdown this season. Rutgers have 11 rushing touchdowns this season, ranking them in the top 25 nationally.
Score predictions
Nate Johnson: Huskers win, 24-16
Jake Homan: Huskers win, 32-21
Mark Fischer: Huskers win, 31-17
