Instant Takes: Nebraska 28, Colorado 10
Nebraska downed Colorado 28-10 behind an electric first half at Memorial Stadium.
The Huskers hadn’t beaten Colorado since 2010. The Buffaloes won the last three games from 2018 onward.
NU’s second-half offense had too many big plays called back by penalties, but their defense played an incredible game.
Here are three instant takeaways from the game.
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Raiola and Nebraska’s offense exploded then went ice cold
Quarterback Dylan Raiola and NU’s offense had one of the most electric halves in a while. Memorial Stadium was rocking as they scored 21 points and went up 28-0 at half over Colorado.
Raiola lengthened Nebraska’s first drive with a critical 12-yard scramble on second-and-12. The Huskers scored with back-to-back 10+ yard runs from Dante Dowdell.
The freshman quarterback made an outstanding play in the second quarter. One that belongs on the highlight real of all of college football on Saturday. Raiola rolled out of the pocket to throw 43 yards downfield to Jaylen Lloyd on the one-yard line.
The first half was a blissful movie and the second half was a horror movie.
NU could not find any momentum. They went ice-cold at halftime as Colorado’s defense heated up. Whenever the Huskers did have a good play, a flag would call it back. They had four penalties for 35 yards in the second half.
One of the most difficult was a 45-yard gain from Jacory Barney being called back due to a holding from Rahmir Johnson in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield has to find ways to get his offense moving downfield. Given they were beating themselves with penalties but his playcalling turned conservative in the second half.
Nebraska’s offensive woes put a damper on the second half.
But this was definitely a learning moment and a boost of confidence all in one.
Blackshirts play lights out
Nebraska had four tackles for loss, including three sacks, in the first 10 minutes.
The Huskers did not blitz against UTEP in their first game of the season. They didn’t hold back on Colorado.
The Buffaloes had -27 rushing yards in the first quarter. They had 16 rushing yards and 244 passing yards. Shedeur Sanders went 23-for-38 with one touchdown and one touchdown.
NU finished with ten tackles for loss and six sacks.
Linebacker John Bullock led the team with two tackles for loss. He stepped up big-time when Colorado was in Nebraska territory in the fourth quarter. The senior stuffed CU on fourth-and-1.
Just as expected, Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson and Jimari Butler are menaces. Butler forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter. But NU has dudes all over the field. Four Huskers had a team-high six tackles – Isaac Gifford, DeShon Singleton, Tommi Hill and Mikai Gbayor.
Robinson blocked a 29-yard field goal to keep Colorado scoreless in the first half. He and Butler pressured QB Shedeur Sanders on third-and-9 with 1:25 left in the first half.
The Huskers didn’t give up a touchdown until 8:45 in the fourth quarter. Colorado blocked Buschini’s punt to start their drive on their own 42-yard line. A targeting call on Mikai Gbayor pushed CU closer.
They capped off the evening with a forced fumble, their second takeaway of the game.
Special teams is a concern
Nebraska has some serious concerns for several parts of their special teams units. They had a punt blocked that resulted in the touchdown and missed a field goal. But also blocked a field goal.
Tristan Alvano missed a 32-yard field on the first play of the second quarter. A 32-yarder should be routine for the second-year starter.
NU hasn’t had a trustworthy kicker since Connor Culp, the Big Ten Kicker of the Year, in 2020. Seems wild that a program like Nebraska can’t find a sure-fire kicker.
John Hohl, NU’s other kicker, is a walk-on from Iowa Western Community College.
As for punter, Brian Buschini had five punts for an average of 50.8 yards per punt against Colorado. The senior said during pre-season practice that he is hitting the ball the best he ever has.
Well, I might just believe him.
He pinned a 63-yard punt at the two-yard line in the second quarter. Tommi Hill intercepted Sanders’ first pass on the drive and took it to the house.
Buschini had three punts inside the 20-yard line and two of over 50 yards.
He was the shining star of NU’s special teams.
