Nebraska Football Dominates Second Half, Runs Away from Purdue in West Lafayette

A 0-0 score at halftime was flipped on its head as Nebraska dominated the second half to top Purdue 28-10 Saturday.

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

An ugly first half of football had Husker fans worried about the future of this team. The next 30 minutes alleviated those concerns, at least for awhile.

Nebraska used three offensive touchdowns and a pick-six in the second half to run all over Purdue 28-10 in West Lafayette. The Huskers improve to 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten) while the Boilermakers fall to 1-3 (0-1 Big Ten).

The first 30 minutes of the game saw the teams combine for four missed field goals, seven punts, and 12 accepted penalties. Neither team managed to put points on the board, a major miss for the visitors who were in Purdue territory on all six possessions of the first half.

After the break, the Boilermakers had the ball first. The home side capped off an 8:08 drive with a field goal, getting on the board first. The next two possessions would result in three-and-outs.

Nebraska, meanwhile, found the groove offensively. A 3:53 drive was finished with a Dylan Raiola touchdown pass to Jahmal Banks. A 5:30 drive saw Dante Dowdell plow his way into the end zone. Then Jacory Barney Jr. added a rushing touchdown to put the Big Red up 21-3.

Needing to find a way to get back into the game, Purdue quarterback Hudson Card felt the pressure and threw a ball directly to Blackshirt John Bullock. The Husker senior returned the interception 29 yards for a touchdown.

Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson sacks Purdue quarterback Hudson Card. / Nebraska Athletics

Purdue added a touchdown with 1:29 to go int he game. The ensuing squib kick was recovered by Nebraska, allowing the Huskers to run out the clock with Heinrich Haarberg behind center.

Nebraska dominated the game by all accounts, except with first half special teams. NU missed three field goals in the first two quarters, having two of them blocked.

Outside of the special teams, the Huskers had themselves a day. Raiola finished 17-for-27 passing for 257 yards and a touchdown. Jacory Barney Jr. had 66 yards and a touchdown to lead the rushing attack, followed by the 50 rushing yards for Emmett Johnson.

Nebraska rushed for 161 yards on the day.

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Marques Buford Jr. (3) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Purdue managed 224 total yards. Card was 18-for-25 for 174 yards, tossing one touchdown and one interception. Devin Mockobee rushed 13 times for 41 yards.

The teams combined for 24 accepted penalties for 259 yards.

"It wasnt the best football," Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. "We have a lot to fix, but I'm proud of the heart of our team."

Nebraska returns to Lincoln next Saturday to host Rutgers for homecoming. That game is set for a 3 p.m. CDT kickoff on FS1.

Box score

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass under pressure from Purdue Boilermakers defensive lineman Jeffrey M'Ba (0) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Join the I-80 Club guys for full reaction to the game and everything else happening this weekend in college football at 6:30 p.m. CDT with I-80 Club After Dark.

🎙️ Postgame from West Lafayette https://t.co/n6yXvMqVed

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 28, 2024

Nebraska Athletics Game Notes

• With the 28-10 victory, Nebraska regains the series lead against Purdue at 7-6 and is now 4-4 all-time in West Lafayette.
  
• Nebraska held Purdue to 10 points, as Purdue got its only touchdown with 1:29 left in the game. The Blackshirts have held four of five opponents to 10 points or less this season.
  
• Nebraska totaled five sacks in the victory, its second-highest total of the season (six vs. Colorado). James Williams (2.0) and M.J. Sherman (1.5) both set career highs in sacks on Saturday.

• Williams’ 2.0 sacks are the most by a Husker this season and the most since Nash Hutmacher had 2.5 sacks against Northwestern last season.
  
• Nebraska held Purdue scoreless in the first half, marking the second opponent Nebraska has held scoreless in the first half (Colorado). Nebraska has allowed just three points in the second quarter this season.
  
• John Bullock recorded his first career interception and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. It marked Nebraska’s second interception for a touchdown this season (Tommi Hill vs. Colorado). It marked the first time since 2017 that Nebraska had two pick-six TDs in a season.

• Nebraska finished +1 in turnover today and improves to +5 on the season. The Huskers have outscored opponents 31-0 in points off turnovers this season following Bullock’s touchdown.
• Nebraska is one of only seven teams who has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. Dating back to last season, the Huskers have not allowed a rushing touchdown in 10 of their past 12 games.
• Nebraska out-gained Purdue, 418-224, as the Boilermakers were held to 50 yards rushing. It marked the third opponent held to under 275 total yards this season (UTEP, Colorado).

• Dylan Raiola finished 17-of-27 for 257 yards and a touchdown, as he connected with eight different receivers. He has also thrown at one touchdown pass in all five games this season.
• Senior receiver Jahmal Banks caught a 6-yard TD in the third quarter for Nebraska’s first points. It marked his second touchdown of 2024 (UTEP) and his 15th career receiving touchdown. Banks finished the day with five catches for 82 yards and has 13 receptions the past two weeks.
• Jacory Barney Jr. led Nebraska with 66 yards rushing on four carries, including a career-high 31-yard run and a 25-yard touchdown run. Barney entered the game with 38 yards rushing. He also had two catches for 28 yards.

• Emmett Johnson totaled 98 all-purpose yards (50 rushing, 48 passing) on just 11 touchdowns. Johnson’s 48 receiving yards were a career high (43 vs. UNI) while his 27-yard reception was also career long.
• Sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd had a 25-yard reception in the first quarter. Lloyd has 10 career receptions with seven of those catches covering at least 25 yards.
• Cornerback Ceyair Wright and offensive tackle Gunnar Gottula made their first Nebraska starts in today’s game.  Wright responded with a team-high five tackles and two PBUs in the game.

• Nebraska’s game captains were TE Thomas Fidone, WR Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, LB Javin Wright and DB Malcolm Hartzog.

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