Husker Dan: Nebraska Wins a ‘No-Win’ Game

Big Red got rolling late to seal the victory over North Dakota

Dan McGlynn | Sep 5, 2022

Kenny Larabee photo, KLIN

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

Saturday's home opener for Nebraska was against North Dakota University - not perennial FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Nevertheless, Nebraska managed to beat the Fighting Hawks by pulling away in the fourth quarter to make the win look a bit better than it really was.

The problem with playing a team like the North Dakota is that it was a no-win situation for Nebraska. Why?

Because if the Huskers had won by only three points, critics would have said, "They should have won the game. It's just an FCS team." And had the Huskers won by 50 points, their response would have been the same.

As it turned out, the Huskers won by 21 points (38-17), scoring the last three TDs and shutting down the Hawks in the final quarter.

So what does Nebraska's win mean? For one thing, the Huskers picked up their first win in over 11 months. (They beat Northwestern 56-7 last Oct. 2 in Lincoln.) It's amazing the Husker program has slipped to that level.

Nebraska running back Ajay Allen breaks free on a 14-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the team onto the field to face North Dakota.

Nebraska defenders Nash Hutmacher and Caleb Tannor combine for a stop during the second quarter.

Head coach Scott Frost with the team.

Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher crosses the goal line on a 19-yard touchdown reception from Casey Thompson during the third quarter

Nebraska defensive tackle Stephon Wynn holds the ball after recovering a fumble forced by Garrett Nelson.

Member of the Scarlets pep squad perform.

Nebraska wide receiver Marcus Washington catches a 24-yard from QB Casey Thompson during the first quarter.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant rushes for a short gain during the second quarter.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant rushes for a short gain during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska running back Ajay Allen picks up short yardage during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska nickel back Isaac Gifford celebrates after dropping North Dakota running back Isaiah Smith for a five-yard loss during the third quarter.

Nebraska linebacker Garrett Nelson celebrates after breaking up a pass during the first quarter.

Nebraska punter Brian Buschini boots a kick from deep in Husker territory.

Nebraska QB Casey Thompson throws a 35-yard pass to wide receiver Trey Palmer to start the third quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson scrambles for 14 yards during the second quarter.

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant breaks free on a 46-yard TD run in the third quarter.

Nebraska running Anthony Grant jukes a defender on his way to a 16-yard gain in the third quarter.

Nebraska punter Brian Buschini boots a kick from deep in Husker territory.

What the Huskers can take from this game besides the win is the way they won the game. After struggling for the better part of three quarters, the Huskers found a way to actually win a close game in the end. To be sure, the victory was over an FCS team that was 5-6 last year. But still, a win is a win is a win.

Were the Huskers experiencing the effects of jet lag Saturday?

Maybe. But the Huskers seemed to shift into another gear late in the third quarter to put a big cushion on the win. Credit Hawks coach Bubba Schweigert with getting his team ready to play in front of 85,000 partisan Husker fans. NDU proved to be a formidable foe.

My Husker MVPs for the game are:

Offense: Running back Anthony Grant. He reminds me of the way former Husker great Ameer Abdullah used to play. Saturday, AG ran for 189 yards and scored two touchdowns. He is a tough out.

Defense: Edge rusher Garrett Nelson. His sack and strip of North Dakota quarterback Tommy Schuster and fumble recovery by Husker defensive tackle Stephon Wynn was a game changer for Nebraska. All afternoon, Nelson was a force. He never seemed to quit. Nice work, Mr. Nelson.

Special Teams: My vote goes to punter Brian Buschini, who averaged 42 yards a kick and allowed zero return yardage. Most of his punts landed inside the Fighting Hawks' 20 yard line.

Play of the game

It was third and 14 from the Huskers' own 7 yard line with 10 minutes remaining in the game with the Huskers clinging to a 24-17 lead. If the Huskers don't make a first down, NDU was going to get the ball back with great field position. But Casey Thompson lobbed a perfectly arched pass that Trey Palmer leaped to grab for a 31-yard gain and a critical first down. The Huskers went on to score on that drive, making the score a comfortable 31-17.

Next up

Georgia Southern (an FBS team). The Eagles bring to Lincoln a QB (Kyle Vantrease) who played last year in Memorial Stadium when his Buffalo Bulls team lost to Nebraska 28-3. This Saturday's game will be a lot like the North Dakota game. The Huskers need to have a great week of practice if they want to win this one. Let's hope Coach Frost can keep the focus on GS and not the Oklahoma Sooners.

How ’Bout Them Huskers

This week grandson Will and I hash over the North Dakota game and take a peek ahead at this week's Georgia Southern night game at Memorial Stadium.

Published Sep 5, 2022

DAN MCGLYNN

Dan “Husker Dan” McGlynn has been writing about Husker football since 2003. His columns have appeared on HuskerMax.com as well as in several local newspapers and magazines. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dan is a native Nebraskan and lives in Omaha. You may contact him at HuskerDan@cox.net.