There were bright spots, but not enough of them. Freshman Maurice Washington ran with abandon en route to 14 carries for 92 yards. But Troy stuffed a third-and-1 at its own 10 that led to Barret Pickering's missed field goal. The Huskers had a couple of broken plays. Bottom line, NU averaged 3.9 yards per carry after averaging 6.1 last week.
Andrew Bunch gunned the first touchdown throw of his NU career into a tight window. He has some gunslinger in him, which can be costly. To wit: He rolled out and forced a pass, leading to his first-quarter interception. He nearly threw his second pick of the day midway through the second quarter when he forced a throw into a crowd. His final numbers: 19-for-27 for 177 yards and two touchdowns, with two picks. He was sacked three times.
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When Troy backup quarterback Sawyer Smith broke loose for a 57-yard run, it reminded us of Minnesota quarterback Demry Croft running wild last season. Every Husker defender of consequence bit hard on a fake hand-off, helping Smith find wide-open space. Nebraska defended the run OK much of the time, but B.J. Smith's 26-yard touchdown run with 6:45 left was a backbreaker.
Lamar Jackson's first-quarter interception was a big one because Troy would have had the ball at Nebraska's 7-yard line. Damion Willis had Jackson beat on a deep route but Jackson closed hard on a ball that was under-thrown. Safety Tre Neal's breakup on a fourth-and-5 in NU's territory also was critical. But Troy converted two third-and-long tries on passing plays in the fourth quarter as it tried to put the game away.
This area was sub-par for the second straight week. Nebraska, on its first punt, drew a flag for having a player lined up in the backfield. Then, in the second quarter, Cedarius Rookard returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Trojans' lead to 10-0. Then, Pickering was wide right from 33 yards. But in the second half, Cam Taylor helped matters greatly when he recovered Troy's dropped punt at the Trojans' 8, leading to Pickering's first collegiate field goal.
Penalties once again became a major issue, especially late in the first half when Mohamed Barry was ejected for targeting. On the next play, Tyrin Ferguson was flagged for smacking an offensive lineman upside the head. Seriously? Later, Mike Williams' holding penalty negated a TD pass. On the bright side, it was an excellent challenge win by the Nebraska coaching staff to identify Troy being 2 yards short of a first down on its opening series.
Bunch's try for a touchdown via a fade route to Stanley Morgan on third down in the third quarter was a particularly conservative (or unimaginative) call. Scott Frost also chose to punt on fourth-and-1 from Nebraska's 43 down 17-13 with 11 minutes remaining, probably an OK move considering the way Troy was blowing up the middle of NU's line. Just a so-so day all around.
Nobody said Frost faced an easy reclamation project. That said, Nebraska losing six straight games on its home field is unacceptable, with No. 6 coming to a rather ordinary Troy team.
Photos from Saturday's Nebraska-Troy game
Photos: Troy hands Huskers second straight loss to start season
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez greets fans during the unity walk before the Huskers' game against Troy on Sept. 15, 2018, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Deontre Thomas (97) closes in on Troy quarterback Kaleb Baker (7) during a 2018 contest at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch looks to pass against Troy on Sept. 15 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
A pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman (10) is intercepted by Troy's Will Sunderland (right) in the closing minutes of the game Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers lost for the second week in a row, 24-19.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Freedom Akinmoladun (91) sacks Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker for a loss in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Luke Gifford brings down Troy's Deondre Douglas during the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
A pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan is broken up by Troy's Marcus Jones (8) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leaves the field following a loss to Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy punt returner Cedarius Rookard (left) evades Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) en route to a second-quarter touchdown at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska running back Maurice Washington has averaged 5.2 yards per carry through the season's first five games.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's JD Spielman drags Troy's Cedarius Rookard across the goal line to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson (right) looks to tackle Troy wide receiver Damion Willis on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska safety Eli Sullivan (30) dives in an attempt to tackle Troy's Jabir Daughtry-Frye (5) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) and Husker head coach Scott Frost talk before a game against Troy at Memorial Stadium in 2018.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws passes during warmups before Saturday's game against Troy at Memorial Stadium. Martinez was held out of the game with an injury.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Shadows of the Cornhusker Marching Band are cast at the unity walk before Saturday's game against Troy at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Carlos Davis (96) celebrates his third-quarter sack of Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker (7) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska tight end Kurt Rafdal pulls in the first-down reception as Troy's Tyler Murray (35) defends in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy's Hunter Reese reaches closes in on Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska tight end Kurt Rafdal (right) pulls in the first-down reception as Troy's Tyler Murray (35) defends in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The catch set up a Husker touchdown a few plays later.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Carlos Davis (96) gets through the Troy offensive line for a third-quarter sack of Trojans quarterback Kaleb Barker (7) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy's Marcus Jones breaks up an end zone pass to Nebraska's Stanley Morgan on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (right) walks off the field following the Huskers' 24-19 loss to Troy at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
A balloon vendor walks outside Memorial Stadium before Saturday's game against Troy.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Red balloons are prepared for hand out before Saturday's game against Troy at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
A Nebraska player warms up before Saturday's game against Troy at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
A pair of fans watch the team arrive from a high vantage point prior to the Troy game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Troy's B.J. Smith shrugs off Nebraska defenders to score a touchdown during Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska offensive lineman Tanner Farmer greets fans before Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Stanley Morgan hauls in a touchdown pass against Troy during the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy running back B.J. Smith (26) and quarterback Kaleb Barker (7) reach for a fumbled snap late in the second quarter against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco (left) greets a fan as the team arrives at Memorial Stadium last Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Alumni pep band members Matt Erb and Luke Thallas serenade tailgaters as they ride through campus in 2018, making the rounds.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Former Husker Mike Rucker is introduced before the game against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Husker fans Tim McDonald and his wife, Heather, stop to make a memory outside Memorial Stadium prior to the Nebraska-Troy game.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's quarterback Andrew Bunch throws under pressure from Troy's defense during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy wide receiver Sidney Davis (6) can't find running room Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman takes the ball in for a touchdown that would be called back for a holding penalty Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy running back B.J. Smith scores a touchdown Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska fans watch the game from the north end zone on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch fumbles the ball against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy snaps the ball against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska safety Aaron Williams breaks up a pass intended for Troy's Sam Letton on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Red balloons are released into the sky following a Nebraska touchdown in 2018 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman scores a touchdown against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy defensive tackle Travis Ailo reaches out in an attempt to tackle Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch over Husker offensive lineman Cole Conrad on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska linebacker Will Honas (3) falls short of tackling Troy running back B.J. Smith on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch evades a tackle from Troy's Antione Barker on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Cam Taylor (left) and Troy's Cedarius Rookard (5) dive for a fumbled punt which Taylor recovered in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy's Will Sunderland intercepts a Nebraska pass in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Four F-16s fly over Memorial Stadium during the national anthem on Saturday
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker runs downfield against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Kurt Rafdal pulls in a pass over Troy's Tyler Murray during the 2018 season at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska coach Scott Frost assesses things during the fourth quarter against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch evades a tackle by Troy linebacker Carlton Martial on Sept. 15 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Luke Gifford tackles Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker earlier this season at Memorial Stadium. Grifford leads the Huskers with 4.5 sacks.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey is brought down by Troy defensive end Jarvis Hayes on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor recovers a Troy fumble on Sept. 15 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska safety Aaron Williams (24) celebrates a tackle against Troy on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Devine Ozigbo tries to elude Troy's Tron Folsom during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska coach Scott Frost walks on to the field to join his team during a timeout against Troy in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker runs past Nebraska's Peyton Newell during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Maurice Washington picks up some yardage against Troy during the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Antonio Reed brings down Troy's Tray Eafford on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska's Cam Taylor (bottom left) recovers a punt return fumbled by Troy's Cedarius Rookard in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Troy's B.J. Smith high-steps into the end zone to score during the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska team captains Jerald Foster (67), Mick Stoltenberg (44), Stanley Morgan (8) and Luke Gifford (12) walk out to the center of the field for the coin flip against Troy at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Four F-16s fly over at the conclusion of the national anthem Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska punter Caleb Lightbourne (35) leaps into the air as the Huskers run out into the field for their matchup against Troy at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska punter Caleb Lightbourne (35) leaps into the air as the Huskers ran out into the field for their matchup against Troy at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska linebacker Luke Gifford (12) brings down Troy's Deondre Douglas (80) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Injured in the previous week's game against Colorado, Adrian Martinez (2) was dressed in uniform but did not play in a Sept. 15, 2018, game against Troy at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller celebrates a tackle against Troy last season at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Troy vs. Nebraska, 9/15/18
Nebraska quarterback Andrew Bunch (right) tries to evade the tackle of Troy's Melvin Tyus in the first quarter of Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com . On Twitter .
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