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2008 Oct 18
Nebraska Blows Past Cyclones
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AMES, Iowa - It had been a month since Nebraska last won a football game or caused a turnover.
The Cornhuskers ended both droughts in a win over Iowa State, forcing two second half fumbles to thwart the Cyclones’ comeback bid.
NU (4-3 overall, 1-2 in the Big 12 conference) looked to be coasting to easy win after staking a 21-0 halftime lead. In yards, Nebraska outgained ISU 349-45, had 21 first downs and possessed the ball for 20 of the 30 minutes. Two lost fumbles were the only real blemishes on the Huskers’ record at that point.
But Iowa State scored on the second play of the second half with Alexander Robinson’s 67-yard run. NU’s offense slowed down considerably in the third quarter, as ISU had numerous chances to slice into the lead.
That’s when Nebraska’s defense got aggressive.
Defensive end Pierre Allen forced tight end Derrick Catlett to fumble near the sideline. Cornerback Armando Murillo picked it up. Later in the fourth quarter, safety Rickey Thenarse forced a fumble on a punt return, which was recovered by Cody Glenn. Nebraska chipped in two late touchdowns – a Joe Gazn sneak and a 19-yard run from Quentin Castille – for the final score.
The first half was dominated by NU, and had some of the fans at Jack Trice Stadium heading for the exits at halftime.
The Huskers crafted a gem of a drive for its first touchdown, rinsed Iowa State’s conservative offense and repeated two more times in the first half.
Working from its own eight, Nebraska rolled 92 yards in nine plays. Ganz converted a third-and-one with a sneak, then hit Mike McNeill for 17 yards and Nate Swift for 21. Ganz capped the drive with two straight completions to Swift, the last a 19-yarder, in which Swift broke a tackle at the five and dove into the end zone.
NU’s second drive was arguably its most diverse of the year. Ganz hit five receivers on the 11-play, 85-yard trek, including redshirt freshman Marcus Mendoza. Nebraska unveiled a play in which Marlon Lucky took the direct snap, which gained six yards. Lucky finished the drive with a 15-yard run on an option play.
Lucky then scored the game’s third touchdown for four yards by taking that direct snap and running a sweep over the Huskers’ left end.
A fourth touchdown drive ended receiver Menelik Holt fumbled at the ISU ten with less than 30 seconds left.
The Cornhuskers ended both droughts in a win over Iowa State, forcing two second half fumbles to thwart the Cyclones’ comeback bid.
NU (4-3 overall, 1-2 in the Big 12 conference) looked to be coasting to easy win after staking a 21-0 halftime lead. In yards, Nebraska outgained ISU 349-45, had 21 first downs and possessed the ball for 20 of the 30 minutes. Two lost fumbles were the only real blemishes on the Huskers’ record at that point.
But Iowa State scored on the second play of the second half with Alexander Robinson’s 67-yard run. NU’s offense slowed down considerably in the third quarter, as ISU had numerous chances to slice into the lead.
That’s when Nebraska’s defense got aggressive.
Defensive end Pierre Allen forced tight end Derrick Catlett to fumble near the sideline. Cornerback Armando Murillo picked it up. Later in the fourth quarter, safety Rickey Thenarse forced a fumble on a punt return, which was recovered by Cody Glenn. Nebraska chipped in two late touchdowns – a Joe Gazn sneak and a 19-yard run from Quentin Castille – for the final score.
The first half was dominated by NU, and had some of the fans at Jack Trice Stadium heading for the exits at halftime.
The Huskers crafted a gem of a drive for its first touchdown, rinsed Iowa State’s conservative offense and repeated two more times in the first half.
Working from its own eight, Nebraska rolled 92 yards in nine plays. Ganz converted a third-and-one with a sneak, then hit Mike McNeill for 17 yards and Nate Swift for 21. Ganz capped the drive with two straight completions to Swift, the last a 19-yarder, in which Swift broke a tackle at the five and dove into the end zone.
NU’s second drive was arguably its most diverse of the year. Ganz hit five receivers on the 11-play, 85-yard trek, including redshirt freshman Marcus Mendoza. Nebraska unveiled a play in which Marlon Lucky took the direct snap, which gained six yards. Lucky finished the drive with a 15-yard run on an option play.
Lucky then scored the game’s third touchdown for four yards by taking that direct snap and running a sweep over the Huskers’ left end.
A fourth touchdown drive ended receiver Menelik Holt fumbled at the ISU ten with less than 30 seconds left.
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