Now that’s more like it. Nebraska football went to Piscataway, N.J., and handled Rutgers Saturday, 31-0. It should be noted, no disrespect, a Scarlet Knights team without its best quarterback.
And a Rutgers team ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing and scoring defense. The Scarlet Knights had been allowing, on average, 186.3 yards rushing and 32.4 points.
The Huskers eclipsed the rushing average, soundly, finishing with 237 yards on the ground. Jamal Rule led the way with 22 carries for 103 yards.
Nebraska showed the offensive plan under coordinator Glenn Thomas, who replaced Dana Holgorsen after last week’s loss at Illinois, on its first possession. The first seven plays were runs, on an 18-play, 94-yard drive culminating in a 15-yard Anthony Colandrea pass to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer.
The drive consumed 9 minutes and 17 seconds … here come the Huskers.
“We ran it well, we threw it well, the defense played their ass off, they got turnovers,” said Colandrea, who completed 15-of-22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception. He also ran 6 yards for a touchdown and was the second-leading rusher overall with 66 yards on nine carries.
Anyway, he continued, “So I think it was a great team win.”
His second touchdown pass was also to a tight end, 13 yards to Carter Nelson, “a stud,” said Colandrea. “He’s a freak. He’s one of the best tight ends I’ve ever seen.
“The only thing about Carter, he’s gotta work on his throwing.”
That comment, with a smile, drew laughter from the media. On a fake punt, fourth-and-4 in the third quarter, Carter took the snap, rolled out and underthrew a wide open Jeremiah Charles.
Yes, it probably would have been a touchdown. But Nebraska already had three of those. Mekhi Nelson scored the third on an 11-yard run, his second of three carries.
The Huskers’ commitment to the run wasn’t just because Rutgers was the opponent. Being able to run the ball is essential to success in the Big Ten, again a reflection of the change in offensive coordinators.
That Nebraska’s defensive coordinator Rob Aurich received a contract extension this week also seemed appropriate given the numbers. Rutgers managed only 143 yards of offense, including 42 passing. And the Huskers intercepted two passes, by Caleb Benning and Charles.
Nebraska didn’t turn the ball over and cut down on penalties, though there were a couple of movement calls on the offensive line. Naturally, there are still things to work on.
But the Huskers earned bowl eligibility with their sixth win and first shutout of a Big Ten opponent.
“Our record isn’t showing who we are … one of the best teams in the nation,” said safety Jamir Conn, who returned from injury and had six tackles.
“And the next couple of games, we’ll put it out there.”
Nebraska finishes the regular season against Ohio State in Lincoln and at Iowa.
Conn’s confidence is understandable. Players have to believe in what they and their teammates are doing. But Rutgers is now 2-8, its lone wins against Howard and Maryland.
And the Scarlet Knights started Sean Ashenfelder, who had played in only four games, at quarterback because Dylan Lonergan was sout with an injury and AJ Surace was less than recovered coming off his own. When Ashenfelder left the game with an injury, Surace came on but was limited in what he could do. He finished 4-of-12 passing for 24 yards and the two interceptions.
Nebraska also had injury issues, no cornerback Andrew Marshall, no linebacker Owen Chambliss and no safety Dwayne McDougle III, as well as no lineman Anthony Jones Jr., on defense. The Huskers also lost Jahsear Whittington to a knee injury during the game.
Jones is out for the season, and now it appears so is Marshall.
No disrespect, but Rutgers isn’t a very good team, and quarterback wasn’t its only injury problem. Still, Nebraska can show something of what Conn said in the next two weeks.
