Luke Gifford understands two things very well: Nebraska football fandom, and linebacker play.
And as another linebacker named Luke from Lincoln was wreaking havoc early on against Northwestern, Gifford, a former Lincoln Southeast and Husker standout, hopped onto Twitter.
"Luke is an NFL linebacker … no doubt about it," Gifford tweeted.
Was it a little reactionary and spur of the moment? Sure. It was the first half of Luke Reimer's first game of the season. And Gifford is the first to admit his Big Red fandom runs deep.
But Gifford is also in the NFL, and even the folks who never got to that level could see that the sophomore out of Lincoln North Star was a difference-maker for the Nebraska defense.
"We’ve known since early on (with) Luke getting to campus, what kind of player we had there. And it doesn’t surprise me," NU coach Scott Frost said. "I didn’t see the tackle chart yet, but Luke’s going to make a lot of plays at Nebraska before he’s done."
The tackle chart showed Reimer with a team-high 10 tackles, seven of them solo stops, a sack, a forced fumble that he nearly recovered and 1½ tackles for loss.
After making a name as a walk-on last season and earning a scholarship this year, Reimer nearly equaled his tackle total from all of 2019 (11) in his first game out in 2020.
Nebraska needed him to, as well. Will Honas, who started next to Collin Miller at inside linebacker against Ohio State, went through warmups in Evanston but didn't play against the Wildcats.
"I missed Game 1 against Ohio State with an ankle injury, so it felt good to get out there," Reimer said. "Just wish we would have come away with a win, but it felt good for me — just got the nerves out a little bit on that first drive."
Reimer led an inspired Nebraska defensive effort that, after allowing an 80-yard touchdown drive to open the game, held Northwestern to 237 yards the rest of the way. The Wildcats' final two touchdowns came on drives of 61 and 44 yards, after long kickoff and punt returns.
There was plenty to feel good about on that side of the ball. But a loss makes the taste bitter no matter what.
"There's always stuff to improve on. I missed a couple plays I should have made," Reimer said. "But again, we just needed to win this game, plain and simple. It hurts right now, and there's always stuff to improve on."
In the doldrums of a loss, Reimer was hard on himself. Others were much more complimentary.
"I love this kid Luke Reimer," former Husker Jeremiah Sirles tweeted. "Been high on him since last year. Going (to) be the star of this (linebacker) core for a long time."
Photos: Nebraska falls to Northwestern in Evanston
Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher (right) celebrates after tackling Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey during the second half in Evanston, Ill., on Nov. 7.
Associated Press file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) is tackled by Northwestern defensive back JR Pace during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez has a moment on the bench during the second half against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
NAM Y. HUH, Associated Press
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey is tackled by Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees (left) runs with the ball against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska wide receiver Levi Falck (left) is tackled by Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome during a game on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.
Associated Press file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) is tackled by Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher during a Nov. 7, 2020, game in Evanston, Ill.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey looks to pass during the second half against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph (left) celebrates with linebacker Chris Bergin after Joseph intercepted a pass against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
NAM Y. HUH, Associated Press
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer shown with the ball after an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez takes off on a run against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (left) and Austin Allen (right) leave the field after a kick against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Myles Farmer tackles a Wildcat ball carrier during a college football game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Myles Farmer returns an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Myles Farmer shown with the ball after recording an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Dedrick Mills rushes with the ball against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
A pair of Nebraska defenders make a tackle against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Dedrick Mills rushes against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Ben Stille tackles Northwestern's Kyric McGowan on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Members of the Nebraska football team get ready to play Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
After suffering a freak, season-ending injury before last season's Purdue game, NU safety Myles Farmer is ready to step into a starting role this week against the Boilermakers.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) dives for a fumble against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Luke Reimer (left) celebrates after recording a tackle for loss against Northwestern on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.
NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska players warm up before playing Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Members of the Nebraska football team, including Adrian Martinez (2), are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Members of the Nebraska football team are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Members of the Nebraska football team are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Dedrick Mills lunges for a touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Northwestern during the first half last November in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (right) eludes Northwestern defensive end Earnest Brown, during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (right) runs over Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Northwestern running back Drake Anderson looks for room against Nebraska on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey sets to throw against Nebraska during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska defensive back Myles Farmer (second from left), celebrates with teammates after Farmer intercepted a Northwestern pass during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey (left) runs for yardage against Nebraska during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Northwestern receiver Kyric McGowan runs with the ball against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwestern linebacker Chris Bergin (top right) celebrates with linebacker Paddy Fisher after Bergin intercepted a pass against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald (left) greets Nebraska coach Scott Frost after the Wildcats beat the Huskers 21-13 Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nebraska defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt is tackled by Northwestern defenders on a punt return on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.
Associated Press file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks to his team during the first half against Northwestern Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.Â
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph (right) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska tight end Austin Allen during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws against Northwestern during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dedrick Mills (from left), Luke McCaffrey and Travis Vokolek look to the sidelines for directions during Saturday's game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey rushes with the ball against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost looks on during a college football game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey is tackled on a second-half run against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) and Garrett Nelson (right) attempt to tackle Northwestern's Drake Anderson on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey rushes with the ball during the game against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Nebraska's Jordon Riley fights through a block during a game against Northwestern on Nov. 7, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois.
JOHN KONSTANTARAS, POOL VIA NORTHWESTERN ATHLETICS
Contact the writer at cbasnett@journalstar.com or 402-473-7436. On Twitter @HuskerExtraCB.
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