Grading the Game (South Carolina)
By Editorial Staff
Early in the game, Nebraska runningback Rex Burkhead was having an excellent game. Burkhead had 71 yards rushing at halftime, chipping away yard after yard and helping carry the Husker offense. In the second half, Burkhead added only 18 yards and failed to score a touchdown in the game.
No other Nebraska rusher passed 40 yards, and freshman running back Ameer Abdullah added Nebraska’s only rushing touchdown. Abdullah also caused Nebraska’s only fumble, when he turned over the ball in the red zone. What looked to be a promising game turned ugly in the second half, and when Nebraska’s strongest offensive weapon, Burkhead, couldn’t gain yards, the Nebraska offense shut down.
Pass Offense: C-
South Carolina’s top ten ranked defense held Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez to 116 yards on 10/16 passing, intercepted Martinez once and allowed one touchdown to open the game. Nebraska’s only receiver with more than three receptions was Burkhead, who caught 5 passes for 35 yards. The Huskers’ only meaningful play in the passing game on the day was Martinez’s 30-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Kenny Bell. Other than that, the passing game was virtually nonexistent for the Huskers.
Rush Defense: C+
The Blackshirts allowed 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns. While the stats weren’t that impressive, a lot of the yardage came on key plays, like all three of South Carolina’s fourth down conversions, and near the goal line. Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw scrambled on a number of plays for first downs, ending the game with 42 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Nebraska’s biggest downfall against the run came on clutch plays, and ultimately was the reason they lost the game on defense.
Pass Defense: B
Despite allowing 230 yards passing on 11 completions and 2 touchdowns, the Blackshirts pass defense played very well. Aside from the 51-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to end the first half, South Carolina barely cracked 100 yards passing in the first half. There were a number of times where the Huskers passing attack forced Shaw to scramble or take a sack. After Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery were ejected in the third quarter, things worsened for Nebraska. Although they had another defender free, the Huskers began to fall apart, allowing Shaw to throw for another touchdown.
Special Teams: D
Kicker/punter Brett Maher’s streak of 40-yard field goals made with none missed this season came to an end in one of his worst performances. Maher punted for an average of 39.4 yards with one punt inside the 20-yard line. He missed his only field goal attempt and the first extra point of the game was blocked and returned for 2 points for South Carolina. Nebraska’s kick returners combined for 58 yards on three returns compared to South Carolina’s 73 yards on two returns.
By Chris Peters
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