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NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher
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Thomas Fidone celebrates his second-quarter touchdown against Purdue.

Husker Dan: Five Down, One to Go

Nebraska needs just one more win to become bowl eligible
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Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule has been preaching to his team all season to go 1-0 each week. He has cautioned his players not to look beyond the next play or the next game. Get one percent better each day. One day at a time. To heck with style points.

As the late Al Davis (former owner of the NFL's Oakland Raiders) used to say, "Just win, baby."

Nebraska's defense blanked a Purdue ball carrier (Oct. 28, 2023)

Nebraska Handles Purdue 31-14

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Nebraska's defense blanked a Purdue ball carrier (Oct. 28, 2023)

Nebraska Handles Purdue 31-14

Read More

That's exactly what the Huskers have been doing. They've won five of their last six games. Those five wins have not exactly set any records for style points, but the Huskers keep winning.

With four more games to play, there is a good chance NU will get its sixth win. If the Huskers do get to six or more wins, the defense will be the main reason why.

Note to Trev Alberts: Get out your checkbook and retain defensive coordinator Tony White. Programs will be coming after him. If you have to, make him the highest-paid DC in school history.

Circular firing squad

The main thing standing in the Huskers' way is the circular firing squad they have to face each game day.

In Saturday's win, Nebraska fumbled five times, losing four of them. Very few teams can survive such odds.

There will be a time in the not-too-distant future when turnovers will be reduced to acceptable levels. Until that happens, Husker fans will have to get used to ugly wins. Remember, it's better to win ugly than lose pretty. (Anybody remember the '21 Husker football season?)

A record October

Besides the Huskers' 31-14 win Saturday, Nebraska fans had even more to cheer about. For the first time in 22 years, NU went undefeated in the month of October. Let that sink in for a while.

On Saturday, the Huskers also won the time-of-possession battle (33:10 to 26:50), total offense (277 yards to 195) and first downs (14 to 10).

Getting back to the turnover issue: How does a team lose four fumbles in one game and still get a double-digit Big Ten win?

Utterly amazing.

Two things are certain: This year's Husker football team has a jaw-dropping defense. The team also has some of the grittiest players Husker fans have seen in a very long time. No matter what the score, Nebraska is relentless.

Nebraska will probably continue to play ugly. Don't fret. Remember, it isn't the style points, it's just the wins, baby. 

Purdue-Nebraska gallery

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Matt Rhule walks to stadium

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walks to the stadium before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Nebraska v Purdue 2023 - Ryan Walters

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters looks on before the game.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - TJ Sheffield warms up

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass during warmups before the game.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Garrett Snodgrass

Nebraska returner Garrett Snodgrass fumbles the opening kickoff return.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Huskers Fumble Opening Kickoff

Purdue linebacker Hudson Miller and Purdue defensive back Botros Alisandro react after recovering the fumbled kickoff return.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Isaac Gifford tackles TJ Sheffield

Nebraska defensive back Isaac Gifford tackles Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield during the first quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Hudson Card Runs

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card runs against the Huskers during the first quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Heinrich Haarberg

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes during the first quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Matt Rhule stands on sidelines

Nebraska  head coach Matt Rhule stands on the sideline during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II and tight end Nate Boerkircher celebrate after Fidone's second-quarter touchdown.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Heinrich Haarberg runs

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against Purdue during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Heinrich Haarberg passes

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes against the Purdue defense during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Hudson Card passes 2nd quarter

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card gets a pass away during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Jaylen Loyd catches pass for TD

Nebraska wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd catches a pass for a 74-yard touchdown against Purdue during the second quarter.

NU vs. PUrdue 2023 - Jaylen Loyd scores TD

Nebraska wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd scores a touchdown against the Purdue during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Quinton Newsome tackles TJ Sheffield

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass against Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Tyrone Tracy Jr runs

Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. runs against Nebraska during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Ryan Walters reacts to call

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters reacts after a call during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Omar Brown defends TJ Sheffield

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass against Nebraska defensive back Omar Brown during the second quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - John Bullock and Hudson Card

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card runs from Nebraska linebacker John Bullock during the third quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Matt Rhule talks to officials

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with referees during the fourth quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Emmett Johnson runs toward endzone

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs towards the end zone during the fourth quarter.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Emmett Johnson TD

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson completes his 28-yard touchdown run.

NU vs. Purdue 2023 - Tommi Hill intercepts pass

Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill  intercepts a pass from Purdue quarterback Hudson Card late in the fourth quarter.

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