Nebraska’s struggles yesterday are duly noted not only on this website, but among many others throughout the world wide web. Nebraska’s defense gave up 418 yards at Michigan, but it was not their fault. Now, it is a team victory and a team loss, but the defense did their job for the most part.
The defense did give up 250 yards of offense in that first half, but they were still hanging around. Dennard “Shoelace” Robinson threw a touchdown and ran for another in that first half, leading the Wolverines to a 17-10 lead.
It’s the ensuing half that would doom the Huskers.
Nebraska’s defense did everything in their power to try and stop the Wolverines from scoring in the second half, but when special teams turns the ball over 3 times on your side of the field, there’s nothing that they could do (2 fumbles and a blocked punt).
Near the end of the game, the Huskers turned it over on their own 31, which Fitzgerald Toussaint would turn into a 31 yard touchdown. At that point, the defense had been out there for already 70 plays, and they were tired.
Nebraska’s offense didn’t do them any help either. Running only 44 plays in 18+ minutes. Michigan’s offense was out there for 80 plays and a hair more than 41 minutes.
Now, this still doesn’t mean the Huskers defense is not entirely at fault here.
Early in the fourth quarter, Michigan had a 3rd down at the Husker 38 yard line. They had a solid play called, and almost executed it. Robinson threw up a prayer towards the end zone and the secondary completely fell apart. Two guys were back, but somehow Odoms came down with a 38 yard touchdown.
The defense also gave up 138 rushing yards to Toussaint. They couldn’t get pressure on Robinson, and needed an athletic play from Moore to cause their only interception.
The Huskers are going to need to step up their game if they want to get to 10 wins. They cannot expect to stop Iowa, even with their struggles, if they play like they did yesterday. The game wasn’t their fault, but they are still not immune. The blackshirts haven’t been very blackshirt like this season. They have two games left to prove they deserve them.
Buy Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Tickets | Buy Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Apparel
