Photo source: Google Images
Photo source: Google Images

Nebraska off to Rough Start

By Derek Mikus/Gator Galaxy Staff

The Huskers are not off to the start they would like to be. Their loss to BYU on Saturday, Sept. 5 was the first time Nebraska lost an opening game since 1985 against Florida State. Certainly not the way new coach Mike Riley had planned to start his career at Nebraska.

BYU was a game the Huskers most certainly should have won. With no time left on the clock, BYU wide receiver Mitch Mathews caught a 42 yard hail mary giving the Cougars a 33-28 victory. Ironically, Nebraska won in the same fashion two years ago when Jordan Westerkamp caught a similar hail mary pass to give them the win over Northwestern.

Nebraska’s win against South Alabama gave Coach Riley his first win with the Huskers and more confidence in his team. Terrell Newby, Tommy Armstrong, and receiver Brandon Reilly put on a show as Nebraska rolled over the Jaguars in a 48-9 victory. North Star senior Braydon Cox said, “I finally have some hope in the Huskers this year.”

In the game against Miami, the Huskers fought back from a 23 point deficit to tie it up and then blew it away in the first play of overtime. The interception by Tommy Armstrong put Miami in control and allowed them to set up a 28 yard field goal that gave the Hurricanes a 36-33 victory. Miami head coach Al Golden said, “Give Nebraska credit for the way they played, but give our kids a lot of credit for fighting, scratching, clawing, staying together, having poise and finishing it in overtime.” This loss gave the Huskers a 1-2 record, the first time they’ve had a losing record after the first three games since 1981.

The Saturday, Sept. 26 win over Southern Mississippi allowed the Huskers to improve their record to 2-2. Tommy Armstrong, Drew Brown, Andy Janovich, Brandon Reilly and Jordan Westerkamp all produced career days to lead Nebraska to a 36-28 victory over the Eagles.

But on Oct. 3, the Huskers lost to the Fighting Illini in the fourth quarter after leading 13-0 at the end of the third. This brings the Huskers’ record to 2-3 (0-1 in the Big 10).

With a tough schedule ahead of them, Coach Mike Riley said his team needs to “make some adjustments in the weeks ahead” to give the Huskers the season they were hoping for.

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Nebraska off to Rough Start