Nebraska Football Tailgate Talk: Time to beat up on Northwestern

It’s Huskers Homecoming in Lincoln this weekend. Nebraska football plays at 6:30 Saturday night and the game is televised on BTN.

The weather for kickoff will be around 70 degrees and cloudy, with a chance of scattered morning and afternoon showers. Will it actually feel like fall? I certainly hope so. This is only the third night game in the Scott Frost era and they say the third time’s a charm!

Before you get all twisted up again about Big Red’s snatching defeat from the jaws of victory last week, here are some interesting tidbits on last week’s game: Huskers rushed 48 times and averaged 3.9 yards a carry against a great defense. Adrian Martinez is completing 70% of his passes (and usually under duress).

Remember how Michigan State’s running back had Heisman buzz? Huskers defense held Sparty’s running game to only 2.4 yards a carry on 30 attempts. Walker only had 61 yards in 19 attempts. Nebraska gained 440 yards on offense and only gave up 254.

The Blackshirts only allowed 14 yards of offense in the second half! The saying is “defense wins championships.” I’d settle for our defense winning this game Saturday. Heck, any game.

Yes, there are still special teams problems. Frost was sitting in their Monday meetings this week. He said it was “rough” but “honest.” I’m okay with that.

He also was in with the O-Line. For more on that check out Steve Sipple’s article. I suspect there will be some “rotations” at right tackle and left guard. I’m very okay with that also. It’s not easy to expect great things from your quarterback when the guys who are supposed to protect him fold up easier than a Wal-mart lawn chair.

What should you expect from the Purple people? The Wildcats are 2-2 coming off a glorious beating of Ohio. Bear in mind it’s not Frank Solich’s Ohio anymore.

The other NU also lost to Michigan State this year (21-38). UNL v NU games always boil down to one score. In fact, in 2019 and 2013 it was decided in the final play.

Not this year. I’m calling a BIG Husker bounce back. Remember how I said Nebraska kicker Connor Culp would rebound last week? He did!

Purple players to watch out for are Northwestern Wildcats running backs, sophomore Evan Hull , who had a 90 yard touchdown last week, or freshman running back, Anthony Tyus III. They also have a linebacker who gets a lot of tackles and is on the Butkus Award Watch List, #28 Chris Bergin. B1G says he’s the tackle leader because of 33 solos and 45 total, but Huskers LB Luke Reimer has 46 total tackles so….bite me B1G Ten! (sorry Mom)

What does Nebraska football need to do to get a W?

The O-line needs to be resistant like cornfield weed killer. Giving Adrian Martinez time is key. (Just don’t take too much time.) I’m looking for another BIG game from Huskers linebacker favorites JoJo Domann, Garrett Nelson and Luke Reimer.

For more insight to Big Red’s Garrett Nelson #44, click here. I’m moving big Huskers running back Markese Stepp to the back of the milk carton sadly. I would prefer we use his skills and bigger frame. Huskers also need Zavier Betts to be “available” for this game to give Martinez another deep threat. Somari Toure can’t do it all by himself.

This week’s inspiration is the Purple People Eater and this is what Huskers defense will do on Saturday night. It’s a mixture of purple jello (which usually tastes like cough medicine) paired with Skrewball whiskey (it tastes like peanut butter, really!). Mix 1 boiling cup of water with the jello. Pour in 3/4 cup of Skrewball, stir and pour into cups and chill! It’s the perfect PB&J concoction!

Night games open up all kinds of menu options. We are going with sloppy Joes in homage to the Huskers offensive (literally) line. Send me your recipe ideas and photos and I’ll drop them in next week’s article. Hit me up at @kelian_NE on Twitter! As always, GO BIG RED!