I try to do my due diligence in researching prior to the season starting in order to provide what I think is accurate information. Based upon what I read it seemed as though Colorado had improved enough on the offensive line to help establish the run game as well as protect their quarterback. But after watching this disaster I’m walking back my preseason prediction for a more successful season until I get a chance to see more. Right now this team looks like a tire fire and after the beating Shedeur Sanders took I think child protective services should come in and take custody—I mean it was ugly—much uglier than the 28-10 final score with those 10 Colorado points all coming in the 2nd half when Sheduer finally connected for his only TD half-way through the 4th Qtr. And Shedeur wasn’t the only Sanders that took a beating as safety and brother Shilo Sanders went out with an injury in the first half that Coach Prime indicated at half-time was a broken forearm. Nebraska recorded six sacks and ten tackles for loss and in spite of that Shedeur still connected 60% of the time in the air for 244 yards, 1 TD, and 1 pick. On the ground Colorado rushed 22 times for just 16 yards—you read that right,16 yards–ouch! This apparently came as no surprise to the Cornhuskers second year head coach Matt Rule who said afterwards; “We expected this score, and we expected this to be like this. We have a good team.”
Nebraska Freshman QB Dylan Raiola connected on over 75% of his throws for 185 yards, 1 TD, and no interceptions while they rushed 35 times for 149 yards and two TD’s, both by Sophomore RB Dante Dowdell. Meanwhile the Nebraska defense didn’t allow Colorado a single first down until their fifth possession of the game. The Buffaloes first half consisted of four punts, two missed field goals, an interception returned for a TD, and a turnover on downs. In the meantime the Cornhuskers put all 28 of their points up on the board by the break. Like I said above, it was ugly on multiple levels with both teams collectively recording over 20 penalties for over 200 yards.
Colorado Linebacker Trevor Woods was ejected for targeting, there was a personal foul, roughing the passer and two pass interference flags. Nebraska even won that contest with three more penalties as well as total yards of offense, rushing yards, and time-of-possession. The only thing they had less of was turnovers while Colorado fumbled and lost one as well as that interception that came back for a Cornhusker TD.
As the AP mentioned in their Recap for ESPN: “Nebraska fans had this game circled on their calendars since last year’s 36-14 loss in Boulder, and there was a palpable big-game vibe in the lead-up to kickoff between the old Big Eight-Big 12 rivals . . . The student section came running onto the field when the game ended.” Up next week for Colorado—remember that barn burner of a game at home against Colorado State last year that the Buffaloes pulled out? Well, like Nebraska, the Rams have had this game circled on their calendar ever since the last one and I expect it will be another slug fest.