Overreactions, grades and game balls from Nebraska’s win over Ohio

Before we turn the page to Bowling Green on Saturday night, a team coached by Eddie George — the same Eddie George who was awarded the Heisman Trophy over Tommie Frazier in 1995- let’s take one last look back at the Nebraska football 49-21 win over Ohio.

We have offered up our takeaways, things learned, and our opinion on Jamal Rule’s dazzling start, which earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week after 169 total yards, with 122 coming on the ground.

Nebraska football covered the spread, winning the game by 28 points. The Huskers had over 500 yards of total offense, with Anthony Colandrea accounting for 298, with 275 passing and 23 rushing.

Here are the overreactions, grades, and game balls from the Ohio game.

Overreactions

The biggest overreaction was about the defense. Yes, the Blackshirts allowed three straight scoring drives to start the game.  Yet, it was the first game in a new defense. What’s important is that Rob Aurich adjusted. Ohio didn’t have a single play longer than 20 yards after the 68-yarder on the first snap, which was a busted coverage.

After those three scoring drives, Ohio had 12 yards or less on seven of the next nine. That’s good defense. It allowed the offense, which scored touchdowns on five straight drives in the second half, to put the game away.

Outside of the QB scrambling, the Ohio running game averaged less than four yards per carry. There were a lot of positive things, and nothing to be concerned about, at least not yet, when it comes to the defense.

The other overreaction is about Jamal Rule. I’ve been as excited as anyone. It does feel like the Huskers found a diamond in the rough who could rush for multiple 1,000-yard seasons. Let’s see what happens in the next two games and in Big Ten play before we start the Heisman campaign, though.

Grades

Offense: A

49 points and over 500 total yards earn the offense an A. Nebraska was 4/4 in the red zone, converted 9/14 third downs, and scored five straight touchdowns.

Defense: A-

Need more sacks and takeaways. Good effort overall. The coverage was very sticky.

Special teams: C

Not much to complain about, but nothing great to report either. Nyziah Hunter made a bad decision on that one kickoff return. Can’t do that in Big Ten games.

Coaching: A

Didn’t mind any of the calls. Liked when Matt Rhule went for it, the team just didn’t execute. The rotations made sense. Aurich adjusted well. Dana Holgorsen actually likes this quarterback.

Game balls: Jamal Rule (169 yards and 3 touchdowns) and Donovan Jones (4 tackles, 2 PBU).

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