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Rapid Reaction: Nebraska pummels Bethune-Cookman for second straight win
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Things are a little bit different when you can just go out and play. After Nebraska posted its first win over Minnesota last week, the conversation about the Huskers’ losing streak came to an end. They could focus simply on football.
It showed in Saturday’s blowout win over Bethune-Cookman.
Nebraska’s offense continued to roll in a 45-9 victory in Lincoln. Adrian Martinez had another impressive day, completing 15-of-22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Devine Ozigbo added 110 yards and a score on the ground and Stanley Morgan had 82 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.
Bethune-Cookman didn’t have an answer.
Those numbers are never considered to be overly impressive against an FCS opponent. But for Nebraska, it’s a little bit different.
The Huskers have had so much trouble closing out games this season. It’s easily a team that could be on the verge of bowl eligibility but came up short in contests against Colorado, Troy and Northwestern. Learning how to build a lead, and hang onto it, is a skill Scott Frost’s crew is still developing.
Nebraska had no problem on Saturday. It jumped out to a 28-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and ended the half with a 38-3 advantage. The score could’ve been much more lopsided, but Frost opted to swap out the first team offense in the second half.
The Huskers are on a bit of a roll now, winning their last two games in blowout fashion. Whatever confidence they’ve gotten from those last two victories couldn’t have come at a better time. Next Saturday, Nebraska walks into Columbus to take on No. 11 Ohio State.
Even though it enters at 2-6, Nebraska’s chances of putting up a fight against the Buckeyes don’t seem nearly as bleak.
Yes, Nebraska posted a blowout win over an FCS team. And for most B1G schools, that’s nothing to write home about. But in this case, the Huskers are still learning how to win. Every moment helps.
Especially with another huge test on the horizon.
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