Nebraska needs to...
*Keep running wild with Roy Helu, Jr.
He didn't exactly run "wild," but he ended up with a solid 95 yards and a touchdown. Seemed ineffective early running, but the play action passes were huge in Nebraska's early game drives. Those passes were set up by Helu, Jr.
*Get KSU off the field on offense
Nebraska definitely obtained this goal in the first half. They led in TOP almost 19 min to 11 min. The second half brought it closer, but KSU couldn't score points while possessing the ball. Nebraska had a slight TOP edge in the whole game, 31:30-28:30.
*Get an early interception
They didn't get their interception until the 2nd quarter, but it was a big one. Zac Lee had thrown one in the red zone, and the Huskers responded by getting pressure and forcing a bad pass, which Larry Asante intercepted. Overall, the Huskers kept Grant Gregory to just 11-31 for 126 yard with 0 TD's and a pick.
Nebraska needs to control...
*KSU offense
Nebraska definitely controlled the passing game, but there were wide open misses by KSU. It's difficult to tell if this was because of pressure or bad execution by KSU. They shot themselves in the foot a bunch, and the Huskers got a huge penalty edge. Overall, you can't complain about giving up 3 points.
*The KSU defensive line
The Huskers had just 101 total yards of rushing offense, so there was definitely room for improvement by the Husker O-Line. And there were a couple sacks given up, including a 14 yard sack that set up a 3rd and goal, which resulted in an INT. Nebraska got just one first down in four drives when trying to run the clock down, too.
*Their play within the red zone
They got 2 touchdowns and 1 field goal in the red zone, which is a good ratio of scores to FG's. However, a huge sack forced an INT on 3rd and goal, which could've ended up hurting the Huskers later. Fortunately, it didn't come back to hurt them.
Predictions...
*Kansas State will out-clock the Huskers
Wrong. Nebraska had the edge in the stats category. However, the second half and 4th quarter belonged to the Wildcats, who were in Nebraska territory much of the 2nd half. It didn't matter because the Huskers bent but didn't break.
*Niles Paul will get increased touches/opportunities.
Wrong. He didn't finish with a quiet 4 catches for 82 yards. His biggest contribution was a long 47 yard catch on a 3rd and 1 Play-Action pass, arguably the play of the game offensively. The Huskers finally went to my favorite game plan, the Play Action to Mike McNeill.
*Nebraska 27, KSU 13
I'm pretty impressed with my prediction. I gave each team too many points but had the difference correct. Also, I predicted Nebraska would be closer near half but not need to win it in the 4th quarter, which is exactly what happened. The most promising part of the game Saturday, was Nebraska's ability to go down the field in 1.5 min to start the half and go up 14.
For the future:
I'd like to see the same offensive game plan. Zac had a bunch of organized roll outs and Play Action passes. He hit 7 different receivers, including my favorite, Mike McNeill. The D was a little shaky at times and gave up a bunch of yards. However, if they keep teams off the scoreboard, I'm ultimately happy. It was nice seeing Rex Burkhead in there. Look for increased production and load come next week and the Big XII Championship.
Its sort of surreal that Nebraska is one win away from a BCS game! If the Huskers can pull off an upset over the hot Longhorns in a few weeks, Husker fans will be packing their bags for a huge January BCS bowl game.
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