Northwestern might not have put a mark in the win column this afternoon, but there was no doubt that the ‘Cats — cue the band — at least tried to fight for victory. Head coach David Braun and the Wildcats
walked into Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium looking for an upset victory, and despite going down multiple scores, stormed back before eventually falling to the Cornhuskers.
For Northwestern, Preston Stone had an up-and-down day, going 15-for-29 for 159 yards and a pair of interceptions. Griffin Wilde (three receptions, 54 yards) and Hayden Eligon II (four receptions, 48 yards) both largely fueled the passing attack, while Caleb Komolafe (17 carries, 125 yards, two touchdowns) was the heart of the run game. Defensively, Robert Fitzgerald led all tacklers with nine, while Uihlein had seven of his own and an interception.
On Nebraska’s end, Dylan Raiola made throws when he needed to — albeit with some mistakes, finishing 16-of-22 for 141 yards and a touchdown and an interception each. His favorite target all day seemed to be Nyziah Hunter; the duo connected six times for 70 yards and a score. On the ground, Emmett Johnson was inevitable, carrying the ball 27 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive back Donovan Jones was the defensive MVP, racking up seven tackles and an interception.
On a brisk Saturday morning in Lincoln, Northwestern took the field first after the Cornhuskers won the toss and deferred. In front of a loud Memorial Stadium crowd of 85,000, the ‘Cats relied on the run and picked up an early first down via a Caleb Komolafe run. But Evan Beernsten’s false start would ultimately stall NU’s first drive, as Nebraska forced it into a third and long. After Stone missed wide receiver Griffin Wilde on an out route, the Wildcats were forced to punt.
Starting the Huskers’ opening drive, star quarterback Dylan Raiola made his mark on the game early, throwing for two quick first downs to get Nebraska into Northwestern territory early. Fast tempo and a healthy mix of pass and run got the Huskers into the red zone in just six plays, and the Cornhuskers eventually capitalized with a touchdown via an Emmett Johnson nine-yard rush to the left side halfway through the first quarter.
Looking to strike back after going down 7-0 early, offensive coordinator Zach Lujan went aggressive early, taking a shot on third-and-5 downfield to Wilde, who high-pointed Stone’s pass over cornerback Andrew Marshall for a 37-yard gain.
After another first down via a designed QB run, Northwestern found itself in yet another third and medium at the Nebraska 22-yard line, but couldn’t convert this time around, as Huskers’ corner Ceyair Wright broke up an intended Stone pass to Ricky Ahumaraeze. The ‘Cats settled for three after Jack Olsen converted on 40-yard field goal to cut the lead to four with 3:28 to go in the opening frame.
With the Wildcat defense back on the field, Nebraska’s run game continued its success, with a 15-yard pickup from Johnson quickly moving the Huskers back into NU territory once again. But Northwestern got tough and forced a fourth-and-1 at its own 39. The Cornhuskers still went for it, and despite NU’s defensive line stuffing Johnson, he got just enough to pick up the first. As the first quarter drew to a close, the ‘Cats were down 7-3, with Nebraska’s offense threatening again.
Despite a rough start early from the NU run defense, the ‘Cats held strong once again to force another fourth-and-1 after Garner Wallace roped Jacory Barney Jr. down short of the line to gain. Going for it once again, Nebraska brought in backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg for the tush push. After an original first down call from the officials, Braun challenged the play, but it was upheld.
The Wildcats’ front four came alive in the next set of downs, however, stuffing a first down run before Aidan Hubbard got to the backfield and sacked Raiola to force a 3rd & 18 from the NU 33. Nebraska played it safe, calling a wide receiver screen to set up a 44-yard field goal. Huskers kicker Kyle Cunanan’s try pushed far right, however, and Nebraska would come away scoreless after a 14-play drive, getting Braun fired up.
A couple of hard-nosed runs from Komolafe opened up Northwestern’s first drive of the quarter the right way, picking up a quick first down. Stone and Co. found themselves in a third-and-3 at midfield after a dropped pass from Komolafe, but a nifty hard count from Stone drew Nebraska offsides, allowing the ‘Cats to pick up an easy first on a Joe Himon II run.
Disaster nearly struck at the 50, as a run-pass option went awry and Stone lost the football, but Beernsten smartly jumped on top of it before any Husker defenders could get there. Still in third and manageable, Stone found Drew Wagner streaking across the middle for a gain of 12 and another crucial first down. Komolafe then worked his magic, knifing through a few Nebraska defenders for a huge 20-yard gain to the 10-yard line. Despite some really encouraging offensive play, the ‘Cats stalled in a goal-to-go situation. They called back on Olsen, who knocked a 25-yarder through to bring it to 7-6, Nebraska with just three minutes remaining in the half.
Looking to respond, Nebraska picked up a much-needed first down on a Johnson 15-yard bull rush. And with corner Ore Adeyi already out, the ‘Cats experienced a strike of bad luck with lockdown CB Josh Fussell going down as well. The Huskers continued to gash NU’s front seven, hitting another 21-yard run from Isaiah Mozee heading into the two-minute warning.
NU looked prepared coming out of the media timeout, with a pass breakup from backup corner Evan Smith followed by a Hubbard tackle on a run for a loss of six. On third-and-16, though, Raiola found tight end Luke Lindenmeyer for 15 to set up another 4th & 1. Sitting at the NU 26, Nebraska rolled the dice again, but a broken play forced Raiola to use his legs. Looking for the first, Braden Turner punched the ball out and Fred Davis II jumped on it to snag the turnover. With just 30 seconds left in the half and only one timeout, NU played things safe and ran the ball into halftime.
By the numbers, things were relatively even at the half. Nebraska led in total yards (160 to NU’s 137) and first downs (nine to seven), but Northwestern was better on third down (5-for-8 compared to Nebraska’s 1-for-5) and time of possession (15:43 to 14:17).
Preston Stone was 7-for-13 passing for 69 yards, finding his main man Griffin Wilde (two receptions, 41 yards) for the biggest gain of the half. The ground game was strong for the ‘Cats, as Caleb Komolafe scurried for 51 yards on just nine carries, while Joseph Himon II tacked on 14 more on four runs of his own. For Nebraska, Dylan Raiola started 7-for-10 for 67 yards, finding Nyziah Hunter three times for 38 yards. Emmett Johnson was the star of the opening half, rushing for 12 carries, 65 yards and the only score of the first two quarters.
Northwestern kicked off to Nebraska to begin the second half, and worst-case scenario struck. Returner Kenneth Williams found a lane and returned the opening kick 95 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown that re-energized the home crowd. Without an offensive play, the Huskers were suddenly up eight, 14-6.
NU hoped to strike back, receiving a bit of fortune after a Nebraska unnecessary roughness penalty started the ‘Cats’ drive at their own 40. The Wildcats earned a first down on a QB sneak, but back-to-back errant passes from Stone on second and third down forced a Luke Akers punt back to the Cornhuskers.
Johnson started the Huskers’ first drive strong with a couple of strong runs. But a beautiful open-field tackle from Robert Fitzgerald swung the momentum back in Northwestern’s direction, forcing a third-and-9. Raiola found Johnson out of the backfield, but a Mac Uihlein wrap-up stopped him just short of the first down line, setting up the first Cornhusker punt of the day.
After a much-needed stop, the ‘Cats offense made a crucial mistake as Stone escaped the pocket and threw for Wilde, but missed the mark and instead found the hands of Nebraska’s Donovan Jones for the pick. Starting at Northwestern’s 32-yard line, Nebraska wasted no time capitalizing on its momentum, marching into the red zone before Raiola floated one up to Hunter for another touchdown. All of a sudden, Northwestern found itself down two scores, 21-6.
Trying to keep things competitive, Stone remained confident in his arm and found Hayden Eligon II for a 30-yard gain to open the third offensive drive of the half. After a couple of runs brought NU into field goal range, Stone looked for a well-covered Drew Wagner deep on 3rd & 3. After missing on the throw, Braun went for it on 4th & 3 and Stone delivered, finding Eligon II for a controversial first down just beyond the line to gain. After getting a favorable call, Northwestern capitalized; Himon broke off an insane run, bouncing out of two tacklers and finding his way inside the 10 before Komolafe finished the job by bullying his way into the end zone. Just like that, the Wildcats were back in striking distance, down 21-13.
Nebraska relied on the run to begin its next drive, calling up three straight and picking up a first down before the third quarter eventually came to a close. After an unsuccessful run, Nebraska faced a crucial third-and-4. On a play action, Raiola rolled out of the pocket and found Dane Key, but Davis II made a beautiful tackle to stop him short of the line. Nebraska punted once again, kicking it into the end zone for a touchback.
Starting at their own 20, the Wildcats leaned on their run game early, giving Himon II a carry before Stone looked for Eligon II downfield and got a defensive pass interference. After finding Eligon II for an eight-yard gain just two plays later, NU set itself up for a third-and-2 and stacked the line for an obvious run. Komolafe received the call, and although he was originally stuffed, he bounced out to the right side and found nothing but green grass. With every Nebraska defender converging to the middle, “King Komo” smartly shifted to the outside, making a house call from 56 yards out to make it 21-19. Going for two, Northwestern lined up in an odd formation, confusing the Huskers’ defense before Stone found Eligon on a slant to tie the game.
With momentum fully swung in the Wildcats’ direction, Uihlein completely silenced the crowd with an interception, getting in the passing lane on a slant on the first play of Nebraska’s drive. Northwestern looked primed to take the lead after Komolafe bulled his way to the five-yard line, but a holding call on Martes Lewis finally gave the Huskers a break. That hold would turn out to be a drive-killer, as the NU offense stalled, and on a third-and-14, Stone made a poor decision and threw into double coverage, where Javin Wright was patiently waiting for an interception of his own.
Finally catching a break after an onslaught of Northwestern momentum, Nebraska’s offense looked fueled by the defensive takeaway. Starting at their own 36, the Huskers methodically moved the ball down into ‘Cats territory. After Raiola missed Key on a deep ball, another big third down came up. The Cornhuskers converted, though, with Key slipping a tackle and picking up 13 yards and a first down. The very next set of downs, Northwestern forced another third down; but yet again, Raiola found a target for a first down. Within the five, Nebraska punched it in on a Johnson touchdown up the middle to go up 28-21 with just 2:44 to go.
With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats responded with fight. Starting at the 25, Stone rolled out of the pocket and threw across his body right into the arms of Wilde. The very next play, the up-tempo offense went pass again, and Stone dotted a ball to tight end Hunter Welcing, who contorted his body for an absurd catch inside the Nebraska 40.
A pair of missed throws sandwiched by a modest gain on a running back screen set up a 4th & 6. With Nebraska bringing a blitz, Stone went deep to Wilde, but overthrew him, giving the ball back to the Huskers.
Needing just one first down, Nebraska handed it off to Johnson, who picked it up in two carries and sealed the game. From there, one kneel from Raiola would do it, securing a 28-21 win for Nebraska in what was a heartbreaking loss for the ‘Cats.
Northwestern (5-3, 3-2 B1G) will have a bye next weekend before traveling out west to take on USC on Nov. 7 at 8:00 p.m. CT in a Friday night duel. Nebraska (6-2, 3-2) will welcome the Trojans next weekend, on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
