Grading the Game (Minnesota)
By Editorial Staff
Freshman Receiver Kenny Bell on an 82 yard touchdown run.
Rushing Offense – B+
Nebraska came out of the gates running the ball, and rightfully so. The strongest aspect of the Huskers offensive attack produced 346 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Running back Rex Burkhead led the team with 117 yards and a TD, with quarterback Taylor Martinez putting up 52 yards. The play of the night was wide receiver Kenny Bell’s 82 yard run off a reverse pitch from Burkhead.
Passing Offense – B-
Martinez and the Husker passing attack looked strong coming into halftime, as Martinez was 8 of 10 passing. Drops plagued Nebraska in the second half. However, the Huskers had a couple drives saved by consistent short throws. Martinez finished 13 of 22 passing for 162 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie’s 61 yard catch and run near the end zone was the high point of the Huskers passing attack.
Rushing Defense – A-
The Blackshirts, in their first game without defensive tackle Jared Crick, found a way to contain Minnesota’s rushing game very effectively. While the Blackshirts have had trouble with mobile quarterbacks this season, they had great success containing quarterback MarQueis Gray, who rushed for only 67 yards and a touchdown. The Huskers allowed only 132 yards and 2 rushing TDs on the night.
Passing Defense – A-
Aside from a 53 yard bomb to wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight on a reverse pass, the Blackshirts secondary played an impressive game. The Blackshirts, in cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste’s first start, allowed only 122 yards and 1 TD. However, if you take out the 53 yard trick play, there was only 59 yards passing by Gray and the Golden Gophers.
Special Teams – C+
One aspect of Nebraska’s game that is becoming less and less impressive is special teams. Brett Maher only averaged 24.5 yards per punt on the night, while shanking a 51 yard field goal. The return game was passable, but fairly boring, as Minnesota kicked away from Big Ten leading returner Ameer Abdullah both times. Tim Marlowe averaged only 16.5 yards per kickoff return.
Box Score
Nebraska
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack
Martinez, Taylor 13-22-0 162 1 61 0
Carnes, Brion 1-1-0 7 0 7 0
Totals 14-23-0 169 1 61 0
Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
Burkhead, Rex 23 117 0 117 1 19 5.1
Bell, Kenny 1 82 0 82 1 82 82.0
Martinez, Taylor 10 60 8 52 0 18 5.2
Heard, Braylon 7 43 1 42 0 22 6.0
Abdullah, Ameer 7 30 0 30 0 9 4.3
Green, Aaron 6 20 0 20 1 7 3.3
Legate, Tyler 1 3 0 3 0 3 3.0
Jones, Austin 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
Totals 56 355 9 346 3 82 6.2
Receiving No. Yards TD Long
Bell, Kenny 4 25 0 9
Kinnie, Brandon 2 58 0 61
Cotton, Ben 2 25 0 17
Turner, Jamal 2 20 0 13
Cooper, Khiry 1 16 0 16
Legate, Tyler 1 10 1 10
Marlowe, Tim 1 8 0 8
Enunwa, Quincy 1 7 0 7
Totals 14 169 1 61
Minnesota
Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg
Gray, MarQueis 17 83 16 67 1 30 3.9
Bennett, Duane 12 55 0 55 1 11 4.6
Kirkwood 8 18 1 17 0 4 2.1
Jones, Marcus 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
TEAM 1 0 7 -7 0 0 -7.0
Totals 39 156 24 132 2 30 3.4
Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack
Gray, MarQueis 9-18-0 122 0 53 0
Totals 9-18-0 122 0 53 0
Receiving No. Yards TD Long
McKnight, DaJon 2 77 0 53
Crawford-Tufts 2 17 0 12
Jones, Marcus 1 9 0 9
Green, Brandon 1 6 0 6
McGarry, Collin 1 6 0 6
Goodger, Drew 1 4 0 4
Lair, Eric 1 3 0 3
Totals 9 122 0 53