The Red Wave came rolling out of of the tunnel resplendent in their all-scarlets and the Houston Christian Huskies were fresh out of lifeboats before it ever got to shore in HCU’s end zones again and again and again.
Sure, there was a little hope when they halted the Huskers’ opening drive at their six and forced a 24-yard Kyle Cunnanan field goal. But the Huskers still marched it 66 yards before that happened. Not counting the Huskers 1st half-ending one and their final two possessions on which Nebraska
4th and 5th stringers slammed it into the middle of the line repeatedly to turn it over on downs while running out the clock, their shortest drive of the day was 45 yards.
That was their next drive which started on a short field and resulted in a 9-yard TD pass to Jacory Barney Jr, the first TD reception of his Husker career. They would reel off basically six more in a row, each for considerable yardage. The final total yardage was 554-160 advantage for Nebraska. It wasn’t 700+ total of the previous weekend, but last weekend both coaches were trying to run as much clock in the second half as possible to escape the stifling heat. It currently says 94 and that’s the actual local temp, not the on the field one, which I suspect tops 100.
Still, the Huskers accomplished almost everything they wanted – win, win big, get the starters out, get a good performance from the reserves and have no significant injuries. Mission accomplished. The only disappointed fans may be the Wilsons, whose Nebraska-adopted son Archie failed to get a chance to punt for the second straight week of their USA visit.
And possibly Defensive Coordinator John Butler and Defensive Line Coach Terry Bradden. They only gave up 92 yards rushing, but HCU running back Xai’Shan Edwards broke more than a few tackles and it finally bit the backups midway through the 3rd quarter when they failed to corral him for what should have been a big loss, but instead, most had run by him after blowing through line and he broke outside left and scooted for a 45-yard rushing TD run.
It had no effect on today’s game in the end, but it got Huskers fans skittish again about Michigan and running back Justice Haynes. He appears to be the bigger threat at this time than freshman QB Bryce Underwood and he will be the best back Nebraska faces so far, and perhaps all season.
But the good news is still good news. In one half of work on a windy day for the starters, Dylan Raiola was 15-21 for 222 yards and pair of scores and remained turnover free. Emmett Johnson ran for 78 yards and two TD’s. And Dane Key led all receivers with 4 grabs for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Reserves who shined in the second half were Kwinten Ives who toted it 12 times for 85 yards and a TD and Cortez Mills who caught 3 for 98 yards and a score including a 62-yard strike from T.J. Lateef who didn’t miss when Mills blew by his coverage by several steps for the deep ball.
The defense all chipped in again with Donovan Jones and Andrew Marshall having big first halves and Rex Guthrie jumping in to record 6 tackles off the bench. As a group, the team had 8 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. The biggest play of the day was Riley Van Poppel bursting through for a 12-yard sack which knocked ball loose. Williams Nwaneri then plucked it as it bounced and rumbled 19 yards for the scoop and score.
The real fight begins now as Michigan, then Michigan State, come to Lincoln to open Big 10 play before the Huskers 40+ day home stand comes to an end when they venture east to take on Maryland. After taking the field in natural all-reds for only the second time, they are now at .500 in the scarlets evening their record at 1-1. Before I sign off to trudge off to the car, here’s another funky stat – after holding HCU to 67 yards passing, it marks the first time since 1990 the Huskers have held three straight opponents under 100 yards through the air.
And remember – Team Crawford, unite tonight. The main card begins at 8pm CST and expect the Crawford-Canelo bout to walk in no earlier than 10pm or so.
Go Big Red and Go Bud.
