Oct 5, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Emmett Johnson (21) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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Nebraska leans on defense to hand Rutgers its first loss

A strong defensive effort and rushing touchdowns by Dante Dowdell and Janiran Bonner carried Nebraska to a 14-7 Big Ten victory over visiting Rutgers on Saturday.

The Cornhuskers (5-1, 2-1) recorded four sacks and limited the Scarlet Knights to 78 yards on the ground. Nebraska also intercepted Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis twice. Kaliakmanis completed 15-of-37 passes for 186 yards.

The Scarlet Knights (4-1, 1-1) were 2-of-14 on third down, and 2-of-6 on fourth down.

Nebraska led 14-0 until Kaliakmanis tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ben Black with 4:08 to play. The TD capped a nine-play, 50-yard drive.

Rutgers’ final possession began on its own 11-yard line with 2:17 to play. The Scarlet Knights moved the ball to the Nebraska 26-yard line before turning the ball over on downs with 1:17 remaining.

Rutgers blocked two punts in the game, the second of which was blocked by Jamier Wright-Collins midway through the third quarter, recovered by Shaquan Loyal and returned 14 yards to the Nebraska 2-yard line. The Scarlet Knights failed to cash in, however, as Nebraska forced a turnover on downs.

It was the third punt and fifth kick Nebraska opponents have blocked this season.

The Cornhuskers, who scored on both of their red zone opportunities, led 7-0 after one quarter and 14-0 at halftime.

Nebraska took a 7-0 lead when Dowdell scored on a fourth-and-goal play from the Rutgers’ 1-yard line and John Hohl added the point-after kick with 3:09 left in the first quarter. It was the first time Rutgers allowed a touchdown in the first quarter this season.

Bonner helped Nebraska double its lead when he scored on an 11-yard run with 1:48 remaining in the first half.

Dowdell led Nebraska’s rushing attack with 57 yards on 14 carries. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was 13-of-27 for 134 yards. He was intercepted once.

Nebraska has held five of its six opponents to 10 points or less. The Cornhuskers are the only FBS team that hasn’t allowed a rushing TD this season.

–Field Level Media

Field Level Media
Sport Writer & Editor
FLM has a North American focus while tying into regional and hyper-local resources – providing the ability to distribute compelling content through the writing of professional journalists. As the U.S. sports content provider to dozens of digital and print media publishers through strategic partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen Sports, FLM covers the nuts and bolts with a breaking news desk and game event coverage.

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