Tag: Huskers

Leaving the conference? Nebraska releases a statement surrounding their Big Ten controversy

The Huskers have been making headlines over the past few days

The University of Nebraska has been the subject of Big Ten news immediately following the cancellation of the fall sports calendar. Nebraska football Head Coach Scott Frost immediately made it clear that his team was going to attempt to play regardless of a Big Ten decision, quickly leading to wild speculation about the plans for the university to play games this fall. Would they change conferences (again)? Should they be allowed in the Big Ten after such comments?

Following the comments by Frost, many analysts, including ESPN analyst and former Michigan star Desmond Howard had choice words for the program. 

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren then made it clear that the Huskers were not allowed to play outside the conference, unless of course they planned to leave.

All of the events culminated today in a statement from Nebraska’s President and Chancellor:

For now, it looks as though Nebraska and Frost will remain committed to the Big Ten, but this saga looks like it has not ended just yet.

First half takeaways Badgers vs. Cornhuskers

Some of the biggest keys to Wisconsin’s first half lead in Lincoln

At the break, the No. 14 Badgers led the unranked Huskers on the road, 27-14.

Some of the keys of the first half were Wisconsin’s success on special teams, the play of Jack Coan, and the Badgers’ early lack of rushing defense allowing scores to the opponent.

Special Teams

The third phase of football, often an unsung hero, played a major part to Wisconsin’s success in the first half.

Trailing 7-0 after having a fumble on their first offensive possession, Wisconsin had its first kick off return touchdown in four years, courtesy of speedy wide receiver and kick returner Aron Cruickshank.

In addition to this incredible return, kicker Collin Larsh made two field goals to add on to the Badgers’ lead.

Not always a positive for Wisconsin teams, the Badgers’ special teams looked awesome in the first two quarters.

Jack Coan

Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan played a very solid, in-control half for the Badgers, throwing for 128 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.

The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Coan had a beautiful throw to Quintez Cephus on a fourth down, delivered a strike to AJ Taylor for a long touchdown, and simpy looked in command of the Badgers’ offense.

In a game against a lesser opponent and in possession of the lead, that’s all Coan really needs to do for Wisconsin to win the game.

Rushing defense

In a mostly positive first half, one major downside to the Badgers’ play was that of the rushing defense.

Nebraska rushed for two scores, and a whopping 151 yards on the ground in the first half.

Against a stout Wisconsin defense, that is very impressive from the Huskers, and a bad look for the Badgers, especially when thinking about the five missed tackles that could have prevented long runs of 27 yards and 26 yards, respectively, and hopefully something for the Badgers’ defense to improve in the second half.

Happy Anniversary, Melvin Gordon!

A brief recap of Melvin Gordon’s record-breaking 408-yard performance against the Nebraska Cornhuskers

On this day exactly five years ago, Wisconsin’s star running back Melvin Gordon ran for what was at the time, the single greatest total in the history of NCAA football: 408 yards, in just three quarters, against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall.

It was a truly legendary performance, and although MGIII’s record only lasted a week, it was a game that Badger fans will never forget, and one that I had the fortune of attending in person, in the front row of the student section.

As one of the most highly anticipated games of the year for the 7-2 Badgers coming into that Saturday, Wisconsin was set to host the 8-1 Cornhuskers, on a beautiful, snowy, classic Saturday in Madison.

It was a nightmarish start for the Badgers, falling behind 17-3 against the fast, offensive-minded Huskers early into the second quarter.

But with a 62-yard touchdown run from Gordon to bring the Badgers within a score, things all started to change, as the snowflakes began falling from the sky, and Wisconsin took their spot in the driver’s seat.

The Badgers would go on to score an unprecedented 56 points in a row until Nebraska scored again in garbage time.

This was the night Melvin Gordon became the best player in college football, and to me, the most dominant running back that I have ever seen in person.

Along with the 62-yard touchdown run, Gordon also had a 68-yard run, and finished with four touchdowns and the ridiculous 408 yards, on just 25 carries!

MGIII averaged an absurd 16.3 yards on that snowy day in Madison, and somehow did it in just three quarters, to lead Wisconsin to its biggest win of the year, and to make his mark in the record books.

I was in person for Bronson Koenig’s game-winner to send Wisconsin to the Sweet Sixteen. I’ve seen triple-doubles from LeBron James and game-winners from Giannis Antetokounmpo, but this remains the single greatest sporting achievement that I have had the pleasure of seeing live.

So, thank you, Melvin Gordon, and Happy Anniversary to an all-time performance and a legendary Badger.