Given a chance for atonement, Nebraska's defense stood tall.
Not quite one year ago, the Blackshirts stood across from a Northwestern offense that had its back up against its own goal line with a little more than two minutes to go to score a touchdown. Eight plays and 99 yards later, the Wildcats were in the end zone, tying the game before winning in overtime in Evanston, Illinois.
On Saturday, as two of Nebraska's offensive playmakers watched from the sideline after leaving with injuries, it was the defense that got the stops and made the plays to lift Nebraska to a stunning victory.
"I think we’re doing a better job of just responding to things that don’t go our way," senior defensive back Dicaprio Bootle said. "Once it does go our way, that’s OK. There’s still more football to be played, and I think that just shows the growth in the program — coaches telling us, keep playing; players telling other players, keep playing, keep going, don’t worry about it. Just put your best effort out on this play right here. Ultimately that’s all we’re really doing — just putting our best effort out on each play."
Northwestern's offense is far from dangerous, but the Wildcats had scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the third quarter to tie the game at 10. Nebraska wasn't going anywhere when it had the ball. Then its top receiver and starting quarterback went to the bench in the third quarter.
The NU defense responded by stoning Northwestern six straight times to end the game: four punts, a missed field goal, and Lamar Jackson's interception that put the Huskers in position to drive for Lane McCallum's game-winning field goal.
"We have to put out the fire. It don’t matter what the offense does. When you play defense, you want to be in that position to have your brother’s back," senior linebacker Mohamed Barry said. "It’s like a protector, that’s what a defender is. And that’s what we did for our offense today. And we had a chance to win at the end of the game and that’s what we did."
Northwestern's final six drives totaled 144 yards, with 30 of those coming on a pair of 15-yard penalties against Nebraska that put the Wildcats in field-goal range. They were the only flags thrown against the Nebraska defense the entire second half.
"We just let (the offense know) we got their back," defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt said. "Through everything they were going through, it didn't matter if they were doing good or bad. If they're doing good, we pat them on the back. If they're doing bad, we pat them on the back. And we've got their back."
Taylor-Britt said the defense wanted to be on the field to make a game-changing play. That's different from last season, he said, when there was some anxiousness about going out to try and get a stop.
"But now it's, let's go get on the field and get the ball back with a turnover," Taylor-Britt said. "And that's what happened with Lamar."
After Nebraska surrendered 580 yards and 31 first downs to Ohio State last week, Barry said the Huskers got back to fundamentals in practice. That led to a strong week that allowed confidence to build as Saturday's game approached.
"If we have a great week and we feel like we're dialed in, then the game's going to look like the week," Barry said. "And we had a great week. ... Everyone honed in on their craft, and that's what you saw out there."
Nebraska's offense has won the program its share of games over the past season and a half, and will likely win it many more.
But Saturday was a day for the defense to deliver with the pressure squarely on its shoulders.Â
"We just knew we needed to make a play. Everybody got together and said, we need to make a play, we need to make it happen. If we don’t make it happen it will probably never happen," Bootle said. "So we just put the responsibility on our shoulders, and ultimately we went out there and made something happen."
Photos: Nebraska-Northwestern homecoming game highlights
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum (48) is carried off the field by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired in the Huskers' defeated Northwestern 13-10 Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
The Nebraska football team runs out before the start of a game against Northwestern on Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum follows through with his game-winning field goal as time expires as the Huskers defeated Northwestern 13-10 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) pulls in a pass from Noah Vedral in front of Northwestern's Roderick Campbell late in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16), in for the injured Adrian Martinez, rushes near the goal line as he's hit by Northwestern's Blake Gallagher (51) in the final minute of the game Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson (21) heads upfield with JoJo Domann (13) after Jackson picked off Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith during their game earlier this month at Memorial Stadium. After a fast start to the season, the flow of turnovers and sacks by the Blackshirts has slowed down.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Lamar Jackson (21) reacts after defending an incomplete pass to Northwestern's Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman (81) in November of 2019 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
A plane flies over Memorial Stadium before a game between Northwestern and Nebraska last year.
Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern's Riley Lees (center) fumbles the ball on the tackle by Nebraska's Collin Miller (bottom) and Marquel Dismuke (19) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Lees recovered the ball.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) makes contact with the sliding Aidan Smith (11) of Northwestern in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum (48) looks up toward the goal posts moments before missing a third-quarter field goal Saturday against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Darrion Daniels (79) focuses on a Northwestern lineman Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium. Daniels went undrafted but signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) gets pushed out of bounds by Northwestern's Roderick Campbell (9) in the third quarter on Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson (1) is frustrated after dropping a pass from Adrian Martinez in the red zone during the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle (left) and Will Honas (right) put a hit on Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith during their game in October 2019 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) reaches up for the high snap from center Cameron Jurgens in the fourth quarter against Northwestern Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Carlos Davis (96) puts a hit on Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith in October at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum (48) and holder Isaac Armstrong (98) celebrate after McCallum kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired Saturday to defeat Northwestern 13-10 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska kicker Lane McCallum (top) is carried off the field by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired against Northwestern last season at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Husker players celebrate Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson's (1) touchdown during a Oct. 5, 2019, game against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern kicker Charlie Kuhbander (14) connects for a second-quarter field goal against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska's Eli Sullivan (30) chases Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) in the second quarter in 2019 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (top) gets tackled by Nebraska's Braxton Clark (17) in the second quarter on Oct. 6 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (top) gets flipped on a hit by Northwestern's JR Pace (13) in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) high fives fans after scoring a touchdown during Saturday's game against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (left) takes a tumble after being hit by a Northwestern player Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) hands off the ball to running back Drake Anderson during Saturday's game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith looks to make a pass during Saturday's against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson scores a touchdown during Saturday's game against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) and Nebraska wide receiver Mike Williams (19) celebrate after Robinson's touchdown run Saturday against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern kicker Charlie Kuhbander (14) kicks a field goal during Saturday's game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern's wide receiver Jace James (left) can't come up with a tipped pass Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Smith (11) is taken down by Nebraska cornerback Braxton Clark (17) on Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez high-fives fans during the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium before a game against Northwestern last October.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska recruit Alex Harrison videotapes the pregame warmups Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) talks with Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald in 2019 at Memorial Stadium.Â
Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) enjoys a moment with Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald prior to the game last season at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska commit Zavier Betts on the field during pre-game warmups on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska prospect Justin Robinson (right) on the field during pregame warmups on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
A young Huskers fan awaits the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Herbie Husker poses for a portrait before the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost shown during the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska cheerleaders shown while waiting for the football team to arrive for the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) (right) high-fives fans during the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
LINCOLN, NEB. - 10/05/2019 - Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) rushes five yards to the Northwestern 7-yard line as he's hit by the Wildcats' Blake Gallagher (51) in the final minute of the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Fans pull out their phones and cameras to record the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) rushes in the third quarter against Northwestern on Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost shows frustration after a pass-interference call against the Huskers in the third quarter against Northwestern on Oct. 5 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
LINCOLN, NEB. - 10/05/2019 - Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches a replay on the large video screen in the third quarter against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
LINCOLN, NEB. - 10/05/2019 - Nebraska head coach Scott Frost bends over after a fourth quarter play against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Chased by Northwestern's Blake Gallagher (51), Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez scrambles on a third-quarter play on Oct. 6, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) leads the Huskers up the field in the fourth quarter of the game against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) rushes near the goal line as he's hit by Northwestern's Travis Whitlock in the final minute of the game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) dives for extra yardage as he's tackled by Northwestern's Travis Whitlock (back right) in the final minute of Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
LINCOLN, NEB. - 10/05/2019 - Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) slides out of bounds on an 8-yard run to the Northwestern 12 yard line in the final minute of the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez takes the field before the game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost shown during a game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) fakes a hand off to Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (left) during a game against Northwestern on Oct. 5, 2019 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
The Nebraska marching band performs before a game against Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Cheyenne Gerlach of DeWitt (left) is handed a bouquet after being named homecoming queen Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Left to right: Cheyenne Gerlach of DeWitt and Bryce Lammers of Fordyce pose for pictures after being crowned as homecoming royalty Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Bryce Lammers of Fordyce is shown after he was announced as homecoming king on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Â
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost shouts instructions to the Huskers' offense in the final minute of the game against Northwestern Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Northwestern vs. Nebraska, 10.5
Northwestern's Riley Lees (19) fumbles the ball on the tackle by Nebraska's Collin Miller (bottom) and Marquel Dismuke (19) in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Lees recovered the ball.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Reach the writer at 402-473-7436 or cbasnett@journalstar.com . On Twitter @HuskerExtraCB.
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