5 things we learned from the Huskers win over Rutgers

Learning how to win might not be pretty but Nebraska football fans know it certainly beats the alternative.

The Rutgers game was always going to be a street fight between two programs fighting to reach the next level. Rutgers is trying to play championship football for the first time in its history, while Nebraska football is trying to get back to winning championships.

Before you can walk, you have to crawl. The Huskers have been taking baby steps but earlier this season, they suffered a setback against Illinois.

This game against Rutgers was the opposite of that. The Scarlet Knights are the team asking what if after eight drives in Nebraska territory, that didn’t yield any points including one that started at the Nebraska one.

Rutgers also turned it over twice and doinked a field goal. It was a weird, windy game, but Nebraska football found a way and like I said on Saturday, that’s beautiful in its own right. Here are five things we learned about the Huskers in the win.

Brian Buschini is a warrior

You have to tip your cap to Nebraska punter Brian Buschini. It’s not hyperbole to say that the Huskers might not win that game without him. Not only did he pin Rutgers deep on the final punt, he also completed a 30-yard pass for a first down on a fake punt — in the fourth quarter — but also averaged 50.2 yards per punt even though he got drilled on the first attempt.

There have been so many times when Nebraska wasn’t able to play complementary football to win a game. The 2021 Michigan State games come to mind. The Huskers dominated but only led by seven late — sort of like on Saturday.

This time though, the punter didn’t kick the ball to the wrong side of the field, away from the coverage. Buschini boomed it and pinned Rutgers inside the 20 again, which set the stage for the final stop by the Blackshirts.

Nebraska football is learning how to win

After the Illinois game, Matt Rhule said Nebraska was a “team of winners” and that it was his job to teach them how to win.

Saturday was a huge step in the right direction. It wasn’t pretty — actually, it was — because winning is awesome, however it happens.

The defense won the game with its effort overall, but the offense went 2-for-2 in goal-line situations. The special teams got a key first down and all three phases did just enough to find a way.

That certainly counts for something and beyond being one win from bowl eligibility again, it feels like the Huskers are on the right path.

Blackshirts prove they are elite

Let’s not confuse Rutgers with an elite offense but Kyle Monangai is no joke. He ripped off three runs of 10 yards or more in the first quarter.

So what did Nebraska do? It added an extra jack on the field at times. Nebraska added another body to the front seven and that stymied Rutgers on the ground.

Monangai was held under 80 yards. He went over 100 in three of the first four games but was held to 78 yards by the Huskers. Beyond that, they sacked Athan Kaliakmanis four times and forced two turnovers.

Rutgers was 4-of-20 on third/fourth down conversions. Just like on the goal-line stand, the defense didn’t complain about the offense scoring 14 points. They just kept playing, as Rhule said, and they sealed the win.

James Williams is a dude

You need pass rushers to close out games. James Williams was that guy for Nebraska football on Saturday. Not only did he get the sack on the final fourth down for Rutgers, but he had two sacks for the second straight game.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound sophomore has become the best pass rusher on the Huskers and is currently fourth in the Big Ten in sacks and 23rd in all of college football. With six games left, Williams could get 8-10 sacks if he keeps up this current pace. Going forward, he should be on the field for nearly every third down.

The run game is starting to work

Nebraska football only rushed for 97 yards on Saturday. They would have been over 100 yards if it wasn’t for the sacks but sacks are better than interceptions. Dylan Raiola wasn’t great but he didn’t lose his poise after a turnover and kept it at just one.

Raiola made a couple of key throws to move the ball down the field, but the biggest positive from the offense was the way the Huskers were able to convert in short-yardage situations. That’s when you know the running game is working — when you can convert, even if the other team knows what’s coming

Not only did you have the fourth-and-one in their own territory, but also the fourth-and-goal early in the game. Those two calls and those two conversions set the tone. By my count, Nebraska converted seven times on third or fourth and short by running the ball.

That might not sound sexy. It doesn’t show up in the box score but that’s winning football and it’s the most encouraging thing I’ve seen out of the run game all season.

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