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Rapid Reaction: Frost, Huskers seniors notch program-changing win over Michigan State
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This one had to feel good.
Memorial Stadium resembled a snow globe on Saturday, in what turned into a traditional black-and-blue B1G bout. For the fans, for head coach Scott Frost, and for all those seniors on the Nebraska sideline, the 9-6 victory was the most satisfying of the season.
If you would’ve predicted that Nebraska’s only points were three field goals, you probably would’ve expected a Michigan State win, and in lopsided fashion. Instead, the Huskers defense stepped up to the challenge, and silenced the Spartans on Senior Day.
You could dive into the stats from the game and try to dissect it piece by piece. But that might confuse you, too. Michigan State outgained Nebraska 289-248. The Spartans dominated time of possession and were the better rushing team. The turnover battle was even.
Still, Nebraska found a way to win. For the first time all year, the offense didn’t bail out the defense. It wasn’t the Adrian Martinez or Devine Ozigbo show. The Huskers faced a difficult challenge and the defense answered the call.
This felt like the program’s turning point. Yes, the Huskers had already been headed in a positive direction. With wins in three of the last four games, it’s been easy to see that the compass is pointing North.
Nebraska is a far cry from that team that started the year 0-6. Saturday felt like the first marquee win for a program destined to win dozens more.
Earlier this week, Frost said that his team is completely different. The culture has changed, the attitude has improved. “We’re a dangerous team now,” he said while meeting with a media.
If you needed any further proof that Nebraska is the real deal, it proved it in the three-point win over Michigan State.
It’s a game that will be remembered as the turning point, and a victory that propelled this program to a new level.
Yeah, that one had to feel good.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB