Roy Helu, Jr. had a big workload like he did earlier this season. He pretty much cleared up Husker fans' minds that his shoulder is 100%. His final stat-line was 28 carries for 156 yards and 2 TDs (he actually had a 3rd TD when he jumped on a fumble in the endzone). Definitely the Nebraska player of the game.
Don't look now, but Zac Lee is slowly getting his confidence back. He went 13-21 for 196 yards. What was impressive was his throws downfield to Niles Paul, who had 154 of Lee's 196 yards. Also, Mike McNeill finally got back into the picture with 4 receptions, tied for most grabs, with Paul. Lee also showed he could run the ball when he took off down the field for a 34 yard scamper. He ended up with 53 total yards rushing.
The defense looked a little more vulnerable than they normally have. With that being said, 17 points is nothing to be worried about allowing. The Husker defense is still the same defense. Mark Mangino and the Kansas coaching staff tried something another foe hasn't, they moved the pocket. Todd Reesing does well outside the tackle-box and gave Kansas an offensive shot vs. the Husker defense. The Huskers still forced a turnover in the red zone and kept Briscoe/Meier to just one touchdown. Look for other teams to try to get outside the pocket because the Husker D-line collapses a drop-back pocket. Also, look for Carl Pelini and the Nebraska staff to implement more outside blitzes, such as the one sack the Huskers got on the night from the corner blitz.
Overall, the Huskers have put themselves in a winner-take-all game Saturday on National TV vs. Kansas State. If they win, they'll have a showdown in December vs. Texas, putting themselves one (upset) win away from a BCS bowl game. Nebraska had a rocky stretch with upsetting losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State, but have appeared to gain confidence at the right time. Saturday should be an exciting day.
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