Nebraska (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) ended its four-game losing streak with its 31-0 shutout of Rutgers (2-8, 1-6) Saturday in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Big Red hadn’t shut out a Big Ten opponent since joining the conference in 2011.
With the Huskers’ victory, they finally became bowl eligible for the third straight season in the fourth year under Matt Rhule. Nebraska’s 31 points were the most since scoring 48 points against Maryland on October 3.
Nebraska ran the football 43 times for 237 yards at 5.5 per carry, running 64% of its 67 offensive plays from scrimmage.
Rookie running back Jamal Rule led the team in rushing with 103 yards. Strategist Anthony Colandréa also ran for 66 yards and a score.
The Huskers built their rushing attack with a lethal play-action game. Colandrea threw 15 of 22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Carter Nelson And Luc Lindeymeyer combined for over 100 receiving yards and each caught a touchdown.
Nebraska defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in the third quarter. Whittington leads the Huskers with six sacks, including one today. Right guard Brendan Black also suffered a lower body injury in the fourth quarter.
Here are our instant takeaways for Saturday.
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Thomas calls downhill offense in first game as play caller
Nebraska’s struggling offense entered Saturday as the biggest unknown under Glenn Thomas as a first-time caller. Even though the Huskers have outscored their opponents in three of their four straight games, their 13.5 points per game have contributed to parting ways with Dana Holgorsen. Thomas called plays from the press box.
Facing a Rutgers defense that allows nearly 200 rushing yards per game at 5.3 ypc and Nebraska rushing for 4.9 ypc (sack-adjusted) over its last four games, Thomas planned a heavy dose of running to set up play action. NU seemed to have found an identity on the field.
On the first drive alone, the Huskers ran 12 times for 74 yards (6.2 ypc) during their 16-play, 94-yard drive that fell behind 9:17. Will Nebraska stick to the run? Indeed, it is. Interestingly, no receiver caught a pass in the first half; all of Colandrea’s completions ended in a delay or a tight end.
On the rushes designed at the back, Rule, Isaiah Mozee And Mekhi Nelson combined for 142 yards (5.07 ypc) and a touchdown.
Nebraska also brought back its jumbo short-yardage and I-formation. Out of the jumbo package, Whittington and freshman tight end Luc Sorensen led the blockade, and Janiran Bonner played fullback in the I formation.
Despite losing several Blackshirts, Aurich’s unit didn’t skip a beat, forcing its first shutout since joining the Big Ten.
Without four starters – WILL linebacker Owen Chamblisscornerback Andrew Marshallenhanced security Dwayne McDougle and EDGE Anthony Jones – the Blackshirts still managed to stop Rutgers and Big Ten, leading rusher Antwan Raymond. Nebraska held Raymond to just 21 yards on 13 attempts.
Although the Scarlet Knights’ offense was anything but explosive, That of Rob Aurich the unit held them to just 143 yards.
Even with their successful setback to open the second half, security Caleb Benning regained the momentum with a crucial interception. As Rutgers threatens Nebraska territory in the fourth quarter, Jeremy Charles intercepted a pass to keep the shutout intact.
Vincent Razors And Dawson Merrit I had big shoes to fill with Chambliss. Shavers wore the green dot that Chambliss usually wears as a defensive signal caller and led the Huskers with 10 total tackles.
Meanwhile, freshman Danny Odem made the first start of his career. The former blue-chip corner rose to the occasion.
Worthless: Rutgers was without a star receiver KJ Duff and played two backup shifts. Still, the Blackshirts took out several key defenders, and nonetheless, a shutout is a shutout. Now, Nebraska’s defense could be without Whittington.
Huskers focus on details – for the most part
The Huskers entered Piscataway dead last in the Big Ten in penalties. These opponent-killing — or opponent-extending — penalties have plagued Nebraska all season and were a major contributor to its four-game skid. Meanwhile, Rutgers entered second in the league (seventh in the nation) with just 39 penalties.
On their second offensive play, the Huskers had already received a procedural penalty for false start. Colandrea had mic connection issues inside the helmet, forcing Nebraska to use a timeout on the opening drive.
Then again, it’s hard to blame signal issues after NU committed two more procedural penalties on its second drive. However, 12:46 into the second quarter, the Huskers responded, not committing another penalty until 14:30 of the fourth quarter.
Last week at Illinois, NU had 11 penalties for 82 yards. This week, the Huskers have had six penalties, and no procedural penalties since 12:46 of the second quarter.
On special teams, John Hohl made a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
NU tried to land another fake punt on Rutgers like this one in 2024. And the Huskers had a wide open split end on the sideline, but Carter Nelson’s throw slipped off his gloves.
Nebraska returns to the field on Saturday, November 21 for its final home game of the season against Ohio State. Kick-off time is still to be determined.
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