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Highlights, gut reactions to Nebraska football win over Purdue

Nebraska football dominated Purdue in the second half of a lopsided win. Here are the highlights and gut reactions.

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3 months ago

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Nebraska football
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The first half of Nebraska football and Purdue was ugly. It was a Big Ten West classic. Both teams missed field goals and neither scored in the first half.

Nebraska missed three field goals in the first half — two were blocked — but you get it. Nebraska’s first six drives of the game advanced the ball inside the Purdue without being able to score.

It was a tough stretch and the blocked kick by Purdue right before the end of the half was especially frustrating. Purdue took the lead on a field goal. Yet, with six minutes left in the third quarter, Dylan Raiola took over. He finished 17-of-27 for 257 yards and one touchdown but most importantly led three straight touchdown drives when the game was on the line.

The freshman quarterback threw a touchdown pass to Jahmal Banks after the Huskers failed to convert their first six attempts inside the 40-yard line into any points — to give them a 7-3 lead. Then the floodgates opened.

After a stop by the defense, and another impressive drive highlighted by a dart across the middle to Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska football converted a fourth-and-goal on a Dante Dowdell touchdown run to put them in front 14-3.

The Blackshirts got another stop, setting the stage for Jacory Barney’s touchdown on the Jet sweep. John Bullock then slammed the door shut with a pick-six in the 28-10 win (after a garbage time TD).

Here are the gut reactions to a Nebraska football win over Purdue

Gut reactions to Nebraska’s win over Purdue

  • Nebraska probably doesn’t win this game without Raiola. He was special, especially in the second half.
  • Emmett Johnson needs more touches — a lot more.
  • The Blackshirts were damn good and when the offense struggled, they held Purdue in check, then shut the door. It’s what you expected to start the season, but still good to see.
  • Big Ten refs were horrible. The offensive PI that took a Nebraska football TD off the board was one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen.
  • Nebraska’s defensive line was dominant.
  • Tony White had a great day.
  • Special teams are a disaster. You keep wondering how it can get worse. Then it does. However, it was better in the second half.
  • I wouldn’t fire Ed Foley.
  • It was good to see the coaching staff adjust in the second half.
  • If you don’t keep it close, you don’t have to win a close game.
  • Finishing the game that way, on the road was impressive.
  • It doesn’t make up for Illinois but is a reason to be optimistic.
  • Jacory Barney is an explosive play waiting to happen.
  • Purdue isn’t a great team but this was still a big step forward — learning how to win as Matt Rhule said earlier this week.
  • Go Big Red!

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Chris has worked in sports journalism since 2005 writing for multiple newspapers and websites such as the Bleacher Report and Fansided before starting Husker Big Red, A fan site for hardcore followers of the #Huskers offering articles, podcasts, videos and more exclusive content on all things Nebraska

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