Tag: Nebraska

Iowa Hawkeyes assistant coach Brian Ferentz greets Big Ten leading tackler Jay Higgins (34) as he returns to the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Big Ten rock fight pits low-scoring Iowa, win-needy Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A bowl bid might not have been realistic to Nebraska at the beginning of the season, particularly with a first-year head coach admitting a massive rebuilding plan was set to begin.

And then the Cornhuskers found themselves one win from postseason eligibility entering November. Victory No. 6 remains elusive.

The Cornhuskers are still one win shy of being bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Their last chance comes Friday when they host Iowa in Lincoln, Neb.

Iowa (9-2, 6-2) has already wrapped up the Big Ten’s West Division title and a spot in the conference title game Dec. 2 in Indianapolis. It will be the program’s third trip to the final, losing in 2015 and 2021.

Three consecutive Nebraska losses, by a combined 13 points, continues a trend in recent years for the Cornhuskers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) in one-score games. The most recent was a 24-17 overtime defeat at Wisconsin, a game Nebraska led 14-0 in the first quarter.

“Couldn’t be happier about where we are, couldn’t be angrier about our record,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “Two things can be true.”

The Hawkeyes have won three in a row and six of seven despite having one of the lowest scoring offenses in the country. Iowa averages 18.5 points per game, which is 121st out of 130 FBS teams.

Low-scoring games aren’t just the norm for Iowa. Oddsmakers set the point total at an all-time low for a Power 5 matchup at 27.5 combined points, meaning projections indicate a total of less than 28 points on Friday.

“They’re so comfortable in a 10-9 game,” Rhule said.

The Hawkeyes scored a 15-13 home win over Illinois last week. Iowa failed to reach 300 total yards off offense for the eighth time this season. But they’re 6-2 in those games, aided by a defense that ranks seventh nationally with 281.4 per game allowed.

“This group is really special,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “They’ve endured a lot.”

Nebraska started a third different quarterback in 11 games last week. Sophomore Chubba Purdy threw for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 105 yards and a score. That extends a season-long trend with mobile quarterbacks for the Cornhuskers. Jeff Sims ran for 158 yards and a TD in his two starts and Heinrich Haarberg is the team’s leading rusher with 477 yards and five scores.

Iowa has also started multiple quarterbacks, with Deacon Hill passing for 390 yards and two TDs total over the past two games while completing 65 percent of his passes. But running back Leshon Williams is a main weapon, with 688 yards on the ground.

The offensive woes for the Hawkeyes led to the decision that Brian Ferentz, the head coach’s son, would not return as offensive coordinator in 2024.

The Big Ten’s top tackler will be in action in Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins, whose 133 total tackles are 31 more than any other defender in the conference.

Nebraska holds a 30-20-3 edge in the series, winning last year in Iowa City to snap a 7-game skid. The Hawkeyes have won their last trips to Lincoln, taking the last two by one score.

An Iowa win would get it to 10 for the seventh time in 25 seasons under Ferentz, whose 195 victories are most of any active FBS coach with one team.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Chubba Purdy (12) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Braelon Allen’s TD in OT lifts Wisconsin past Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Braelon Allen scored on a 3-yard run in overtime to give Wisconsin a 24-17 comeback victory over visiting Nebraska on Saturday night, as the Badgers snapped a three-game skid to become bowl eligible.

Wisconsin gambled on fourth-and-1 in the first overtime and got the first down on Allen’s 2-yard pickup. Allen scored on the next play to put the Badgers up 24-17.

Nebraska lost a yard on a run and then sandwiched a pair of incompletions around a false start penalty. Chubba Purdy’s pass on fourth-and-16 was picked off by Preston Zachman at the 4.

Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten), which also avoided its first four-game home losing streak since 1990, can extend its streak of bowl games to 22 seasons. The Badgers have won 10 straight against Nebraska.

Nebraska (5-6, 3-5) needs to win its final game at home vs. Iowa to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.

Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano sent the game into overtime with a 30-yard field goal from the right hash with four seconds remaining.

Nebraska scored on its first two possessions, but Wisconsin rallied within 14-10 at the half, and then took a 17-14 lead on Allen’s 2-yard touchdown run to cap a 79-yard drive midway through the third quarter.

Purdy, starting in place of injured quarterback Heinrich Haarberg, scrambled for 22 yards to give the Huskers a first down at the Wisconsin 26 with 1:35 left in regulation to set up the tying field goal.

Purdy completed 15 of 23 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, and ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Purdy accounted for touchdowns of 55 and 58 yards on the Cornhuskers’ first two series.

On the opening series, Purdy turned a scramble out of the pocket on third-and-3 into a 55-yard touchdown run. The Huskers made it 14-0 with a six-play, 76-yard drive capped by Purdy’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Lloyd.

The Badgers pulled within 14-7 on Tanner Mordecai’s 26-yard pass to Jackson Acker out of the backfield midway through the second quarter.

Nathanial Vakos hit a 35-yard field goal with 1:54 remaining in the half. Alvano was wide right on a 42-yard attempt on the final play of the half.

Mordecai completed 18 of 28 passes for 160 yards and one score.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) passes against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska survives 4 fumbles to beat Purdue, 31-14

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Heinrich Haarberg threw two touchdown passes and Nebraska overcame four lost fumbles to win its third straight, beating Purdue 31-14 in a Big Ten Conference game on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) have outscored their opponents 68-30 points during the win streak, moving a victory away from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.

Haarberg threw for 122 yards and two TDs on 6-of-11 passing but only had 22 rushing yards on 19 attempts. Emmett Johnson led the ground charge, rushing for 76 yards on 13 carries, including a 28-yard TD run with 3:54 to go in the fourth quarter.

Purdue (2-6, 1-4) trailed 24-0 in the fourth before getting on the scoreboard, turning a pair of fumble recoveries into points. Hudson Card hit Jayden Dixon-Neal for a 29-yard TD pass with 9:09 left, then Kydran Jenkins returned a fumble 55 yards for a score with 6:24 remaining.

The last of those fumbles came when Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims, who came in for Haarberg after he fumbled on the previous drive, lost the ball on a fourth-and-1 run.

Up 14-0 at the half, Nebraska upped it to a 21-point lead early in the third when Elijah Jeudy blocked a Purdue field-goal attempt and Quinton Newsome returned it 68 yards for a score. It was the Cornhuskers’ first blocked field goal for a TD since 2014.

A career-long 55-yard field goal by Tristan Alvano made it 24-0 with 12:23 remaining.

After managing minus-8 yards on its first two drives, Nebraska went 87 yards in 15 plays and ate up nearly nine minutes of clock to take a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard Thomas Fidone II catch from Haarberg early in the second quarter. Following an interception by Tommi Hill, Haarberg found Jaylen Lloyd for a 73-yard TD pass.

Purdue finished with 195 yards, its fewest in more than four seasons, with Card completing only 16 of 32 passes for 100 yards, with a TD and two interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) and tight end Luke Lindenmeyer (44) celebrate after a touchdown by Haarberg against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Heinrich Haarberg lifts Nebraska past Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Heinrich Haarberg shook off a slow start to throw a touchdown pass and run for another as Nebraska beat Northwestern 17-9 in a Big Ten Conference game on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) picked up their second straight win and fourth in five games despite being outgained and turning it over on two of their first three drives.

Haarberg was intercepted on two of his first four passes and was just 8 of 17 overall for 85 yards but threw a 44-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to break the game open. He also ran for 72 yards, including a 3-yard score with 11 seconds left in the first half, giving Nebraska a 10-6 lead going into the break.

Northwestern (3-4, 1-3) managed just three field goals from Jack Olsen despite starting in Nebraska territory on its first three drives. The Wildcats allowed eight sacks of Brendan Sullivan, who was 12 of 23 for 176 yards with an interception.

Nebraska made it a two-score game early in the fourth when Haarberg hit Malachi Coleman for a 44-yard TD pass and a 17-6 lead.

Northwestern got within 17-9 with 11:09 left on a 25-yard field goal by Olsen, who made first-half kicks from 45 and 37 yards but was just short on a 54-yard attempt in the third.

After Haarberg’s second interception led to a Northwestern field goal, the Cornhuskers tied it on a 47-yard field goal from Tristan Alvano late in the first, with Olsen hitting a 37-yarder with 5:48 left before halftime to give the Wildcats back the lead.

Nebraska ran for 163 yards, with Emmett Johnson gaining 73 yards on 12 carries. Northwestern’s Anthony Tyus III had 63 yards on six carries, including a 39-yard run.

Northwestern returns home to face Maryland next Saturday, while Nebraska hosts Purdue.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) smiles with teammates on the bench during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska sticking with QB Heinrich Haarberg vs. Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska and Northwestern are both hoping to pick up where they left off before a bye week when they meet in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) pulled out a 20-7 win at Illinois before taking last weekend off, while Northwestern (3-3, 1-2) edged FCS school Howard 23-20 on Oct. 7 in its latest contest.

The Cornhuskers will continue to start Heinrich Haarberg at quarterback. He has gone 3-1 over the last four games while season-opening starter Jeff Sims has been recovering from an ankle injury.

“We’ll play with Heinrich for now. Jeff is ready to go on a moment’s notice,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “Heinrich’s played well, Heinrich’s done some good things, so he’ll be the starter.”

Northwestern defensive coordinator and interim coach David Braun emphasized the need to wrap up Haarberg and prevent big plays.

“You’ve got to play with great leverage, and you’ve got to tackle,” Braun said. “He’s got the ability to be extremely explosive. I’ve been really impressed with his ability to operate within the scheme.”

Northwestern enters the second half of a season that began with turmoil, as longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired in the wake of a hazing scandal.

“I feel like I’ve grown exponentially, simply through having no choice,” Braun said. “This is where your greatest growth comes, through situations of adversity and new trials.”

In Northwestern’s win over Howard, Brendan Sullivan filled in at quarterback for Ben Bryant, who sustained an upper-body injury the previous week in a loss to Penn State.

“Ben continues to progress — not sure what his status will be (for this week) — but he’s progressing,” Braun said.

The Cornhuskers will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium, which has hosted 392 consecutive sellouts. The last game there was not a successful one, though, as Nebraska lost 45-7 to No. 2 Michigan.

Northwestern is 0-2 away from home this season and has lost 13 consecutive true road games dating back to the 2020 season. The Wildcats last won in Lincoln in 2017, but they did knock off the Cornhuskers 31-28 to open the 2022 campaign in Dublin, Ireland.

The winner will be no worse than third in the Big Ten West and within a game in the loss column of first place. Rhule isn’t looking that far ahead, though.

“I’m not worried about the big picture,” he said. “I think that’s the problem with Nebraska football. I think that’s why we have gone 1-5 down the stretch most years, looking at things outside of just going 1-0 this week.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) hands the ball to running back Anthony Grant (23) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Cornhuskers go wire-to-wire, stifle Illinois’ rush attack

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska used its defense and special teams to beat Illinois 20-7 in a Big Ten Conference game Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

The Cornhuskers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, made two fourth-down stops — including one on the goal line — recovered a muffed kickoff and blocked a punt to beat the Illini for the first time since 2019. They also held Illinois (2-4, 0-3) to 21 rushing yards, the Illini’s lowest total in nearly four years.

Nebraska led 17-7 at the half, then extended the lead to 20-7 on a 32-yard Tristan Alvano field goal midway through the third. The score was set up by a fumble forced by Phalen Sanford and recovered by Griffin Moore in Illinois territory.

A blocked punt on the ensuing drive set the Cornhuskers up with great field position, but Alvano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt was wide. Nebraska then turned it over on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter to keep the margin from being greater.

After stuffing Illinois on fourth-and-goal at the 1 on the game’s opening possession, Nebraska drove 86 yards and went up 3-0 on a 31-yard Alvano field goal late in the first quarter.

Another long drive ended in a touchdown for the Cornhuskers midway through the second, with Anthony Grant scoring on a 1-yard run. Two plays later it was 17-0 Nebraska following a muffed kickoff into a stiff wind and a 25-yard Heinrich Haarberg TD run.

Haarberg finished with 236 yards of total offense, throwing for 154 and rushing for 82.

Illinois got on the board with 1:31 left in the first half on a 46-yard TD pass from Luke Altmyer to Pat Bryant. Altmyer was 29 of 47 for 289 yards, completing passes to nine different targets, but had no support from a run game averaging more than 140 yards entering the night. He was picked off once.

Nebraska is off until hosting Northwestern on Oct. 21, while Illinois visits Maryland on Oct. 14.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska, Illinois seek change from similar slow starts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska and host Illinois, each coming off blowout losses in Big Ten Conference play, face off on a short week on Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) fell 44-19 at Purdue, while Nebraska (2-3, 0-2) was crushed 45-7 at home by No. 2 Michigan. Each is trying to avoid a 0-3 start in the conference for the first time since 2020 (for Illinois) and 2018 (for Nebraska), respectively.

“Nebraska is very similar to our situation,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “But I think this week is a lot about us.”

The Fighting Illini allowed a season-low 406 yards to Purdue but gave up 31 points on five red-zone possessions. For the season Illinois has yielded 23 scores on 26 trips inside its 20-yard line, compared to 23 on 31 all of 2022.

Nebraska came up scoreless in its two red-zone possessions against Michigan and has been inside the opposing 20 on only 12 occasions this season.

The Cornhuskers will continue to go with sophomore Heinrich Haarberg at quarterback, even with Jeff Sims getting closer to 100 percent following a high ankle sprain. Haarberg is Nebraska’s leading rusher (270 yards), but had minus-2 against Michigan, so there could be a splitting of snaps.

“I feel very confident with Heinrich being the starting quarterback,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “That being said, I also have a lot of confidence in Jeff. I’m getting them both ready. I have full confidence in Heinrich. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Illinois may again be without leading rusher Reggie Love III (44 carries, 248 yards), who sat out the last game with an ankle injury.

The Illini have won the last three meetings, including a 26-9 victory at Nebraska last October, but the Cornhuskers hold a 13-6-1 lead in the series. Nebraska’s last win in Champaign came in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs for a touchdown against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy (16) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 Michigan throttles Nebraska behind defense, J.J. McCarthy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

J.J. McCarthy passed for two touchdowns, both to Roman Wilson, and rushed for another as No. 2 Michigan pounded Nebraska 45-7 at Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday.

McCarthy completed 12 of 16 passes for 156 yards for the Wolverines (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten). Wilson caught four passes for 58 yards in Michigan’s first road test.

Blake Corum led Michigan’s rushing attack with 74 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown.

Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg completed 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards and was intercepted once. Billy Kemp caught four passes for 61 yards for Nebraska (2-3, 0-2).

Josh Fleeks’ 74-yard run with 4:17 remaining spoiled the Wolverines’ shutout bid. Michigan has allowed just 30 points this season.

Michigan cruised to a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Wolverines drove 75 yards in 11 plays after the opening kickoff to take the lead. The touchdown came on McCarthy’s 29-yard scoring pass to Wilson. The wide receiver made a spectacular leaping catch, cradling the ball around a defender’s helmet.

An interception by Kenneth Grant at Nebraska’s 29-yard-line set up Michigan’s next touchdown. Kalel Munnings scored on a 20-yard run midway through the quarter.

Michigan made it 21-0 early in the second quarter. McCarthy had three passes of 10 or more yards during the 88-yard drive, then used his legs for the touchdown, scampering in from 21 yards out.

The Wolverines’ final score of the half came on a 55-yard drive. McCarthy scrambled to his left and found Wilson in the back of the end zone from 16 yards out with 23 seconds left in the quarter.

The Cornhuskers missed a field-goal attempt early in the second half. Michigan took over at its own 22 and methodically drove down the field with Corum carrying the ball seven times. He scored from a yard out to make it 35-0.

James Turner kicked a 30-yard field goal and Jayden Denegal completed an 8-yard scoring strike to Peyton O’Leary with 4:37 left in the game for the Wolverines’ final touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Billy Kemp IV (1) runs against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive back Cecil Singleton Jr. (2) and defensive back Willie Roberts (1) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Heinrich Haarberg, Nebraska run over Louisiana Tech

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg ran for 157 yards and a touchdown and Nebraska held a fourth straight opponent under 100 rushing yards in a 28-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

Haarberg, a sophomore making his second career start, had the most rushing yards by a Nebraska QB since Taylor Martinez ran for 205 in a game in 2012. He added 107 passing yards and a TD through the air.

The Cornhuskers (2-2) won back-to-back home games for the first time in two years by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides. They ran for 312 yards, their third consecutive 200-plus-yard rushing performance, and held the Bulldogs (2-3) to 46 yards on the ground.

After the teams went into halftime tied, Nebraska ran the ball on nine straight plays to open the third quarter and take the lead. Five of those carries were by Grant, who gained 34 on third-and-3 and 19 on fourth-and-1 before scoring from 2 yards out.

It was the sixth career 100-yard game for Grant, who finished with 135 yards on 22 carries.

The Cornhuskers made it 21-7 on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 29-yard TD catch by Thomas Fidone II. Haarberg then broke off a 72-yard TD run with 11:13 left.

Louisiana Tech got 292 passing yards from Jack Turner, who completed 27 of 42 passes and threw a 20-yard TD toss to Cyrus Allen with 5:17 to go. Allen gained 102 yards on six receptions.

Nebraska used trickery to set up its first touchdown, with backup punter Timmy Bleekrode running for 10 yards on a fake field goal. That setup a 9-yard TD run by Billy Kemp IV early in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs immediately responded, tying it at 7 midway through the second on a 14-yard TD run by Jacob Fields.

Louisiana Tech heads to UTEP on Friday for a Conference USA game, while Nebraska hosts No. 2 Michigan on Sept. 30.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Jeff Sims (7) warms up before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska coping with ‘heartbreaking’ injuries, preps for La Tech

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska carries the momentum of its first win this season when it hosts Louisiana Tech in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers also carry the pain.

The Cornhuskers (1-2) beat Northern Illinois 35-11 last week in their home opener, the first victory under new coach Matt Rhule and the first at Memorial Stadium in nearly a year. But two of Nebraska’s top three running backs suffered season-ending injuries — junior Rahmir Johnson (shoulder) and sophomore Gabe Ervin Jr. (hip).

“It’s heartbreaking,” Rhule said.

Ervin was leading the team in rushing with 196 yards; Johnson had 65 yards on 12 carries.

Nebraska might see the return of starter Jeff Sims, who will practice this week and could play Saturday. Heinrich Haarberg started this past game, throwing for 158 yards and two TDs and rushing for 98 yards and a score.

Louisiana Tech (2-2) is coming off a 40-37 home loss to North Texas in which it rallied from 17 points down in the final 10 minutes, only to lose on a last-seconds field goal.

“We have to turn the page quickly,” Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie said. “That is our challenge as coaches is how do we handle this week and how are we going to get better.”

The Bulldogs are led by former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who has thrown for 756 yards and five TDs this season, though Jack Turner threw the game-tying TD pass to Smoke Harris against North Texas. Harris has 24 catches for 288 yards and three TDs in 2023.

A Nebraska win would give the team consecutive home victories for the first time since September 2021.

–Field Level Media