Husker Corner
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Nebraska Football derails the Purdue Boilermakers with defensive domination

By Oliver Vandervoort

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) and tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrate after a touchdown by Fidone II against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Thomas Fidone II (24) and tight end Nate Boerkircher (87) celebrate after a touchdown by Fidone II against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Nebraska football team’s defense continues to show that it is the unquestioned strength of a squad that is getting stronger as the year goes on.

Despite an absolute nightmare start to the game for the Nebraska football game, Matt Rhule’s Huskers did enough to win the game. Had they not seen the turnover bug bite them hard and often, this game might have even been a shutout.

For the fifth time in six games, Heinrich Haarberg did just enough to help the Nebraska football team get a win. However, it was the Husker defense that got the team the win. Facing an offense that I thought might offer the Cornhuskers some problems, the Blackshirts played about as well as they have since the glory days.

After fumbling the opening kickoff and then holding Purdue to a missed field goal, it just felt like Saturday was going to be Nebraska football’s day. The Huskers took a 14-0 lead into the half, then took a 21-0 lead on a blocked field goal and a Quinten Newsome return for a TD. Nebraska eventually went up 24-0 before some insane mishaps befell the Huskers’ quarterbacks who fumbled on back to back drives and allowed Purdue to make things 24-14.

Things got scary, until Emmett Johnson broke off a 28 yard touchdown run. Making it 31-14, the Huskers iced a massive win over a Big Ten West rival. And one that has a coach who made it well known he hates the Huskers. I’d imagine he hates them more now.

The key Nebraska Football moment

The key moment of the game came during the very first possession for Purdue. Nebraska started the game off by turning it over on their own 32 yard line. The Boilermakers proceeded to move backwards, and on 4th and 11 missed a field goal. Had things gone differently, it’s hard not to think the game would have snowballed.

Why Nebraska Football won

Defense. Defense and then the defense. The Nebraska football blackshirts have been the strength of the team all season (outside of the Michigan game) and it’s only gotten stronger the last few weeks.

Numbers that matter

  • 99: A Purdue offense that came into the game averaging 242 yards passing per game managed just 99 total passing yards. The Huskers’ run defense has gotten all the headlines this year but the pass defense stepped up big on Saturday.
  • 2,548: That’s how long its been since the Nebraska football team won three games in a row.
  • 2: That’s how many fumbles lost the Nebraska football quarterbacks had today. Ball control has been an issue all season but the number of times Jeff Sims and Heinrich Haarberg have put the ball on the ground (especially if you look at fumbles the Huskers recovered) is simply not acceptable.
  • 2: That’s the number of interceptions Tommi Hill had today. The defensive back/wide receiver has been banged up a bit this year. I would be shocked if he plays much on the offensive side of the ball after the game he had on defense today.

Bottom Line

The Nebraska football offense is distressingly bad. Especially when talking about the men under center. However, offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield seems to be able to find some plays every game that get big gains and provide enough offense. The Blackshirts on the other hand, are dominant and have been almost very time out.

What’s NExt

The Huskers now have four chances to get one more win and become bowl eligible. The first of those four shots might be the “easiest” as the Nebraska football team will take on Michigan State next Saturday at 11 am. The Spartans have had an unmitigated disaster of a season and lately, it’s looked like they’d rather not be on the football field.

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