Steven M. Sipple weighs in with his report card from the Huskers' loss to Minnesota.
Nebraska had an ominous start as quarterback Adrian Martinez's lateral bounded off the hands of Wan'Dale Robinson, who recovered the ball for a 9-yard loss. Robinson's 47-yard run in the second quarter was a needed burst of energy, setting up NU's first touchdown of the day. Martinez finished with 15 carries for 96 yards (6.4 yards per carry) as NU ended with 197 rushing yards (5.5 ypc).
With Martinez on the sideline temporarily nursing an injury, Luke McCaffrey's pass intended for Austin Allen was picked off by Tyler Nubin, setting up Minnesota's first touchdown. Martinez was hit from behind in the pocket while trying to pass late in the third quarter and lost a fumble. He was 16-for-27 for 111 yards and a touchdown, but at least twice misfired downfield to open receivers. Too much inconsistency in this area.Ìý
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Mohamed Ibrahim found daylight on fourth-and-1 and rumbled 26 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. But the bigger blow in the first half came on Cam Wiley's 61-yard burst up the sideline. Nebraska appeared on verge of holding Minnesota to a field goal before Cam Taylor-Britt's targeting penalty gave the Gophers a first down and led to an eventual TD. Late in the game, desperately needing a stop, NU's run defense got leaky as P.J. Fleck's crew nailed down the win.Ìý
Defensive lineman Casey Rogers batted down a pass on fourth-and-8 deep in Huskers' territory midway through the second quarter, igniting the Husker sideline. Rogers batted down another pass on a third-down play in the third quarter. Then, Pheldarius Payne got into the act, getting a hand on Morgan's fourth-and-3 pass from NU's 36 late in the third quarter. JoJo Domann had excellent coverage on a deep ball early in the second half. Morgan finished 17-for-30 for 181 yards and a TD.
Freshman Tyler Crawford, filling in for William Przystup, had some early issues as his second punt traveled only 8 yards, setting up Minnesota at Nebraska's 49. Connor Culp missed wide right on a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, just his second miss of the season in 14 attempts. On the bright side, Marquel Dismuke made a big hit in punt coverage in the game's early stages, and Crawford gained redemption with a 44-yard punt into the wind late in the third quarter. He followed with a 61-yarder with the wind in the fourth period.Ìý
Ethan Piper's holding penalty (a very questionable call) erased Martinez's 8-yard touchdown run as Nebraska tried to come back in the fourth quarter. The Huskers settled for a field goal. Taylor-Britt's hands-to-the-face flag moved Minnesota into Nebraska territory on the Gophers' opening possession, but the Blackshirts stiffened. His targeting penalty late in the first half obviously was a critical part of the game, in part because it sent arguably NU's best defender to the bench.Ìý
Seemed odd to have McCaffrey throw twice right after entering the game in relief of Martinez in the first quarter. His second pass was picked off. We do like the plays that motion Robinson into the backfield and then employ a fake handoff to him. Martinez made one of those plays work for a 24-yard run. But the offense struggled mightily to sustain rhythm.ÌýÌý
Minnesota, down 30-plus players, found a way to win. Meanwhile, Nebraska is left to wonder why it can't execute at a high enough level when it matters most — on Saturdays.Ìý
Photos: Golden Gophers oust Huskers on Senior Day at Memorial Stadium
Nebraska warms up before hosting Minnesota on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander (left) hugs cornerback and captain Dicaprio Bootle during Senior Day on Dec. 12, 2020 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost speaks with officials during a break in the first quarter against Minnesota on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Icicles begin to melt in the morning heatÌýSaturday ahead of Nebraska and Minnesota at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson is tackled by Minnesota's Jordan Howden (left) and Justin Harris in the second quarterÌýSaturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (left) celebrates with Coney Durr after an interception thrown by Nebraska's Luke McCafferyÌýon Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A pass slips through the fingers of Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer while defended by Minnesota's Jordan Howden in the first quarterÌýSaturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson carries the ball while trying to avoid Minnesota's Michael Dixon and James Gordon IV in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks to throw down field against Minnesota in the first quarterÌýDec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska defensive lineman Casey Rogers (98) knocks down a fourth-down pass from Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (right) in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (left) jogs off the field after he was disqualified from the game due to a targeting call in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (left) goes to tackle Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan in the second quarter of a Dec. 12, 2020, game at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (left) is disqualified from the game due to a targeting call against Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan in the second quarter on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost reacts after a fourth-quarter touchdown was called back due to a holding call against the Huskers during a game against Minnesota late in the 2020 COVID season.
Journal Star file photo
Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan is tackled by Nebraska's Nick Henrich in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (right) hugs fellow senior Collin Miller after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Brenden Jaimes blocks Minnesota's Josh Aune on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) gets tackled by Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle and Will Honas (3) late in the fourth quarter Dec. 12, 2020 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) rushes for a first down past Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke (9) in the fourth quarterÌýSaturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck (left) shakes hands with Nebraska head coach Scott Frost after the Gophers' 24-17 winÌýSaturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck (left) shakes hands with Nebraska head coach Scott Frost after the Gophers' 24-17 winÌýDec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) celebrates what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown with teammates Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) and Connor Olson (64) in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) pulls in a pass as he's defended by Minnesota's Jordan Howden in the fourth quarter Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim rushes for a first down past Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke (9) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) reacts after a missed third-quarter field goal against Minnesota onÌýSaturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) leaps for a third-quarter pass from Adrian Martinez against Minnesota on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (33) and Christian Gaylord (65) and Travis Vokolek (83) watch as his third-quarter field goal against Minnesota goes wide Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a third-quarter run against Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (27) on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (26) gets stopped in the red zone by Minnesota's Mariano Sori-Marin in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) takes off on a third-quarter run against Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (27) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) scores what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) reaches up to pull in the second-quarter touchdown reception in front of Nebraska's JoJo Domann on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) gets taken down on a second-quarter run by Minnesota's Benjamin St-Juste on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) looks up at the North Stadium video board after being disqualified from the game after a second-quarter targeting call against Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander walks the field before the Minnesota game Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander on the field prior to the Minnesota game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Ben Stille pressures Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan in the first quarter of a Dec. 12, 2020, game at Memorial Stadium.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Fan cutouts in the East Stadium stands receive a patina of overnight snow last season at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws a pass intended for Austin Allen (not pictured), which was deflected into the hands of Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (27) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (left) picks off a pass intended for Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Tyler Nubin (right) picks off a pass intended for Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Wan’Dale Robinson (1) breaks upfield on a block by teammate Matt Farniok in the first half Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Former Nebraska defensive lineman Casey Rogers (98) gets a hand on a fourth-down pass from Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan (2) in a Dec. 12, 2020, game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) gets gang-tackled by a quartet of Minnesota defenders in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Cam Wiley (1) is tackled short of the goal line by Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Minnesota's Cam Wiley is chased down the sideline by Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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