Pitchin with Pritch: Huskers’ fortunes change against Northwestern
What a difference a week makes! Now you read a lot of things about how the Huskers have fixed all the problems that have cost them a couple of close games the last couple of weeks.
Granted, the Huskers put together a really good game against Northwestern last Saturday.
The offense amassed 661 yards by rushing for 431 and passing for 230.
Northwestern finished with 261 yards passing but only 31 rushing.
The Huskers only had to punt once in the game—thank goodness—and only had four penalties for a total of 19 yards.
The Huskers also got off 75 plays to their opponents 65 and that is pretty good because Nebraska averaged almost twice as many yards per play, 8.8, to Northwestern’s 4.5 yards.
The Huskers excelled in all phases of the game and the 56-7 was just the way the game went.
It was the most points that Nebraska has ever scored in a Big 10 football game and it was Pat Fitzgerald’s worst loss as a coach.
One of the highlights, and there were plenty, was Zavier Betts catching an option pitch, zooming up the left sideline and gaining 80 yards.
And as was often the case Saturday night, Northwestern lagged behind.
By the time Betts reached the end zone, he’d ran 83 yards, longer than any Nebraska play this season. And during the Huskers’ win over Northwestern, Betts’ milestone play joined a long list of others.
Adrian Martinez scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns and Rahmir Johnson scored two.
William Przystup even kicked an 84-yard punt, which marked the longest of his career and Nebraska’s season.
All in all, it was a fun game to watch.
Do I think all the problems that Nebraska has been having are solved by this one game? No, I do not.
It was Northwestern. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks.
It certainly was a very good win and it could lead to a much better season than it looked like the Huskers might be headed for earlier.
Let’s hope that they keep improving and becoming as competitive as they need to be to compete with the elite of the Big 10.
The Husker Volleyball team also had a good weekend as they defeated Michigan 3-0 on Friday night, and then Michigan State on Sunday night also 3-0.
My Friday night was spent at Malcolm watching my granddaughter helping out the cheerleaders.
She also had about 30 other little gals helping, but it was good night except Malcolm lost.
A shout out to the Plainsmen cross country, girl’s golf, volleyball team and football team.
All the teams seem to be improving with each contest and that is what is important.
Go Plainsmen!