Nebraska Wins Ugly to Hand Rutgers Its First Loss

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten Conference) proved they can win ugly on Oct. 5 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) in Lincoln, Neb., by a final score of 14-7. In the previous four games Nebraska won, it outscored their opponents 130-30. But with a defensive head coach in Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers proved they can win on defense just as much as they can on offense.

Nebraska Controls Tempo Early

Nebraska got on the board first with a Dante Dowdell 1-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-0 with 3:09 left in the first quarter. Both teams would stall in each other’s territories and take turns throwing interceptions, which led to sloppy play and the momentum felt like it was shifting. Then Nebraska broke through with a touchdown run on a jet sweep to wide receiver Janiran Bonner to make the score 14-0 with 1:48 left in the first half. Things appeared to get worse for Rutgers after quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw his second interception in two drives and gave Nebraska all the momentum heading into the half.

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Defense Dominates in Third Quarter

When the second half got underway, it seemed reminiscent of how football was played the first time Rutgers played Nebraska in 1920. Rutgers just had 11 total yards in the third quarter. However, Nebraska wasn’t much better as it totaled 45 yards. The best chance that either team had in the third was when Rutgers blocked a punt by Jamier Wright-Collins, who broke through.

Shaquan Loyal returned the ball to the Cornhuskers' 2-yard line. Maybe back in 1920, it would have been difficult to move 3 yards but this is 2024 and that’s exactly what Rutgers failed to do. Even after a Nebraska holding penalty on second-and-goal from the 5-yard line, that gave Rutgers four more chances but it couldn’t get past the Cornhuskers’ defense. 

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Rutgers Can't Capitalize

Amazingly, Rutgers would have great field position on their following possession after forcing a Nebraska punt from their 3-yard line. Once again, Rutgers went three-and-out and would have to punt. 

Finally, with 4:14 left to play in the game, Rutgers broke through. Kaliakmanis threw an 11-yard TD pass to Ben Black. Rutgers held Nebraska to a three-and-out, but unfortunately for the Rutgers’ fans who were holding out hope, Rutgers went for it on a fourth-and-10 from their own 26-yard line and didn’t get it. Nebraska improved to 2-1 in conference play and handed Rutgers its first loss of the season. With the win, Nebraska is now 7-0 all-time versus Rutgers. 

What's Next?

Next for Nebraska, it plays the No. 23 Indiana Hoosiers on Oct. 19 after a bye week in Bloomington, Ind.

For Rutgers, it’s back to the drawing board as head coach Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights will regroup to face the Wisconsin Badgers at home on Oct. 12.