Cornhuskers tight end Travis Vokolek goes down late with leg injury

The Nebraska Cornhuskers might have to finish off the last leg of their Friday night matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights without the help of their star tight end Travis Vokolek. With the Cornhuskers lead in 14-13 and in control of the ball, on third down deep inside their own territory, quarterback Casey Thompson found Vokolek across the middle for the first down. Unfortunately, when the tight end caught the pass, he was wrapped up by his legs and taken down and looked to be in pain. Vokolek tried to get up and walk off the field under his own power but to no avail. Nebraska ended up having to call an injury timeout to help their tight end off the field.

Vokolek has been a go-to target for Thompson this game catching six passes for 46 yards and one of the two touchdowns. Losing him down the stretch could be critical to the Cornhuskers’ success.

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Defense wins the game for Nebraska

Nebraska’s defense was not perfect but they played a huge part in helping the Huskers win.

Despite a poor offensive showing in the first half, Nebraska went into halftime trailing 13-0.

The Husker defense got burned big time on the first drive. Freshman cornerback Malcolm Hartzog started his second game and Rutgers knew that. They took advantage of his inexperience and quarterback Noah Vedral completed a 33-yard pass to Shameen Jones on the third play of the game.

Vedral juked his way into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown five plays later. The Scarlet Knights earned 75 yards on six plays.

Rutgers didn’t score another touchdown for the rest of the game. In fact, Nebraska’s defense only allowed them into field goal range twice. Once after a 43-yard catch and a complete 40-yard field goal to go up 13-0. And the other time was at the end of the second quarter when Jude Mcatamney kicked and missed a 48-yard field goal.

Their other field goal came when Scarlet Knight Max Melton blocked a punt with four minutes left in the first quarter. Rut Day recovered the punt and returned it for 11 yards before Blaise Gunnerson tackled him, saving a touchdown. Rutgers got the ball on Nebraska’s nine-yard line but the defense only allowed them to move two yards in three plays. The 25-yard field goal was good for a 10-0 lead.

In the second half, Nebraska’s offense clawed its way to the endzone to make it 13-7. The defense had their backs as Rutgers ran four offensive plays and was forced to punt.

Nebraska’s secondary came up with three interceptions in the second half and didn’t allow Rutgers to score in the second half. Brandon Moore, Myles Farmer and Hartzog both came up with interceptions in huge moments.