Link: Full Game Notes (Huskers.com)
WHEN: Saturday, October 21 | 2:30 PM (CT)
WHERE: Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus, Jake Butt, Brooke Fletcher)
RADIO: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
NEBRASKA
Record: 3-3 (1-2 Big Ten)
Last Game: at Illinois (W 20-7)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Head Coach: Matt Rhule (3-3, 1st year NU | 50-46, 8th year overall) / 0-0 vs. Northwestern
NORTHWESTERN
Record: 3-3 (1-2 Big Ten)
Last Game: vs. Howard (W 23-20)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Head Coach (Interim): David Braun (3-3, 1st year at NU | 3-3, 1st year overall) / 0-0 vs. Nebraska
THIS WEEK'S NUMBERS
3 - Since 2011, seven of the 12 meetings between Nebraska and Northwestern have been decided by three points or fewer, with an additional game decided in overtime by seven points
100 - Memorial Stadium officially reached the 100-year mark this month. Nebraska played its first game in the stadium on Oct. 13, 1923.
592 - Saturday's game between Nebraska and Northwestern will mark the 592nd all-time game in the 100-year history of Memorial Stadium
THE MATCHUP
Nebraska returns to Memorial Stadium for a two-game homestand, beginning with a Big Ten West matchup against Northwestern this Saturday. The contest between the Huskers and the Wildcats will kick off shortly after 2:30 p.m., with television coverage provided by Big Ten Network and on the Fox Sports App. The game is also available on the Huskers Radio Network, the official Huskers App and Huskers.com.
Nebraska will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium as part of Saturday's game-day festivities. One of college football's most iconic and storied venues hosted its first game on Oct. 13, 1923, and was officially dedicated a week later on Oct. 20, 1923. The Huskers and Northwestern will play before the 393rd consecutive sellout in Lincoln, a streak that dates back to 1962.
Nebraska heads into the second half of its 2023 season with a 3-3 record, including a 1-2 mark in the Big Ten. The Huskers posted a 20-7 victory in their most recent outing, an Oct. 6 victory at Illinois. Nebraska continued to lean on its defense in the win at Illinois, allowing just 21 rushing yards. The Blackshirt defense has been dominant against the run throughout the season, allowing less than 60 rushing yards in five of six games.
Northwestern will also enter the contest with a 3-3 record and a 1-2 mark in conference play. The Wildcats are also coming off a bye after defeating Howard, 23-20, in a non-conference game on Oct. 7. Northwestern boasts a strong passing game on offense, completing better than 60 percent of its attempts, while throwing for 10 touchdowns in the first half of the season. Interim Head Coach David Braun is leading the Wildcats after taking over the program this summer.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's meeting will be the 17th all-time meeting between Nebraska and Northwestern, and marks the 13th consecutive season the two schools have squared off. Nebraska holds a 9-7 advantage in the all-time series, including a 5-3 lead in games played in Lincoln.
- The series is tied at six wins apiece since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011
- Eight of the 12 meetings between the schools since 2011 have been decided by three or fewer points or in overtime. Northwestern holds a 5-3 edge in those games.
- Nebraska has defeated Northwestern on the final play of the game twice in Lincoln -- a Hail Mary victory in 2013 and with a walk-off field goal to win in 2019.
- Nebraska and Northwestern will not meet in 2024 in the Big Ten's new non-divisional scheduling format. The schools are scheduled to meet in 2025, 2027 and 2028.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern History
1902: Nebraska 12, Northwestern 0 (Lincoln)
1931: Northwestern 19, Nebraska 7 (Evanston)
1974: #10 Nebraska 49, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2000: #9 Nebraska 66, #18 Northwestern 17 (Alamo Bowl)
-----------------------Big Ten---------------------
2011: Northwestern 28, #9 Nebraska 25 (Lincoln)
2012: Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Evanston)
2013: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Lincoln)
2014: #19 Nebraska 38, Northwestern 17 (Evanston)
2015: Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Lincoln)
2016: #20 Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13 (Evanston)
2017: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Lincoln)
2018: Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Evanston)
2019: Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Lincoln)
2020: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 13 (Evanston)
2021: Nebraska 56, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2022: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28 (Dubin, Ireland)
Memorial Stadium Celebrates 100 Years
One of the most iconic venues in all of college sports reached a milestone this fall as Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium hits the 100-year mark. Nebraska is celebrating the anniversary of Memorial Stadium throughout the 2023 home season, with added elements for this Saturday's game.
- Memorial Stadium was built at a cost of $450,000 in 1923 and had an original capacity of 31,080
- The first game in Memorial Stadium occurred on Oct. 13, 1923, with the official dedication of the stadium a week later when Nebraska hosted Kansas on Oct. 20, 1923. Memorial Stadium was dedicated to honor Nebraskans who served in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, and Nebraskans who died in World War I. Later, the dedication was expanded to honor Nebraskans who died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
- Nebraska owns an all-time record of 430-148-13 at Memorial Stadium
- The Huskers have posted 33 unbeaten seasons at Memorial Stadium, most recently in 2016
- Every game at Memorial Stadium since 1962 has been sold out, a streak of 393 consecutive games. The 393-game streak spans nearly two-thirds of all games played at Memorial Stadium.
- Nebraska opened the 2023 home season at night against Northern Illinois. The first night game in Memorial Stadium was the 1986 season opener in a win over Florida State. Nebraska is 50-10 all-time in home night games following the win over NIU.
Uniforms to Celebrate First Game at Memorial Stadium
Nebraska will don alternate uniforms for Saturday's matchup against Northwestern. The Adidas uniforms will pay tribute to the first home game on Oct. 13, 1923 against Oklahoma.
- In the first game at Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma wore crimson uniforms, and to avoid confusion Nebraska wore blue uniforms for the game. In a nod to the uniforms for the inaugural game at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska's jerseys on Saturday will include a blue outline around the numerals.
- Nebraska's uniforms will also include a special 100-year patch on the shoulders of the uniform. In addition, the stripes on the sleeves include the wording from the original inscriptions on the four corners of Memorial Stadium.
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern has fielded a football team since 1882 and the Wildcats have tallied nearly 570 wins as a program. The Wildcats have claimed eight Big Ten Conference championships and two Big Ten West Division titles.
The Wildcats have made 16 bowl appearances, claiming six wins. Northwestern's last bowl game appearance came in the 2020 season when the Wildcats took on Auburn in the Citrus Bowl. Northwestern came away with a 35-19 victory over the Tigers.
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 562-700-44
Bowl Record: 6-10
Conference Titles: 8
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Ryan Field
Capacity: 47,330
Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Enrollment: 8,367
School Colors: Purple & White
2023 Northwestern Schedule/Results
at Rutgers (L 7-24)
Texas-El Paso (W 38-7)
at Duke (L 14-38)
Minnesota (W 37-34 OT)
Penn State (L 13-41)
Howard (W 23-20)
at Nebraska
Maryland
Cockeye
at Wisconsin
Purdue
at Illinois
About 2023 Northwestern Football
Northwestern has split its first six games in 2023 after coming away with a 23-20 victory against Howard on Oct. 7 in Evanston.
The Wildcats enter Saturday averaging 306.3 yards per game, with 203.3 yards per game through the air and 103.0 yards per game on the ground. Ben Bryant has completed 95-of-161 passes for 926 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Bryce Kirtz has 24 receptions for 327 yards and three touchdowns, followed by Cam Johnson with 26 grabs for 312 yards and a score. Cam Porter leads the Wildcat rushing attack with 299 rushing yards and a touchdown through six games this season. Brendan Sullivan has 31 carries for 96 yards and two scores, followed by A.J. Henning with 12 rushes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 362.0 yards per game and 27.3 points per game. Bryce Gallagher leads the Wildcats with 55 tackles and an interception. Xander Mueller has totaled 41 tackles, including a team-high seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season.
About Northwestern Coach David Braun
David Braun is the interim head coach at Northwestern and has the Wildcats off to a 3-3 start this season.
Braun arrived at Northwestern as a defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a defensive coordinator at North Dakota State and helping the Bison to a pair of FCS National Championships in 2019 and 2021. Under Braun, the Bison had the No. 1 scoring defense in the FCS twice in four seasons, including 2021 when he was named the Football Scoop FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Prior to his time at Northwestern and North Dakota State, Braun served as an assistant coach at Winona State (2008-09, 2011-14), Culver-Stockton (2010), UC-Davis (2015-16) and Northern Cockeye (2017-18).
Bruan played as a defensive lineman in college at NCAA Division II Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 2008.
Last Meeting: August 27, 2022
Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28
DUBLIN, IRELAND - Nebraska held a pair of 11-point leads, but Northwestern scored the final 14 points in both halves to claim a 31-28 win over the Huskers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium on Saturday to open the 2022 season.
Nebraska amassed 465 yards of total offense, including 355 yards on 25-of-42 passing by quarterback Casey Thompson, but Northwestern answered with 528 total yards, including 314 on 27-of-38 passing by Ryan Hilinski. The Wildcats also pounded the ball for 214 rushing yards. The Huskers committed three turnovers, including a pair of interceptions, compared to just one turnover by the Wildcats. Nebraska was flagged for just one penalty for five yards in the game, compared to eight miscues for 65 yards by the Wildcats.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda led the Nebraska receivers with 120 yards on four catches, including a touchdown, while Trey Palmer added a team-high eight receptions for 68 yards in his Husker debut. Tight end Travis Vokolek also hauled in five catches for 63 yards in just over a half before leaving the game.
Anthony Grant led the Big Red ground game with 101 yards on 19 carries, including a pair of third-quarter touchdown runs that gave Nebraska a 28-17 lead.
Nebraska struck first on transfer quarterback Casey Thompson's opening Husker drive, marching the Big Red 75 yards in just eight plays capped by his 32-yard touchdown strike to Garcia-Castaneda. It was Garcia-Castaneda's first catch as a Husker and it gave Nebraska a quick 7-0 lead just 2:19 into the game.
Northwestern got on the board for the first time late in the first quarter on Adam Stage's 35-yard field goal that capped a nine-play drive and cut the Nebraska lead to 7-3 with 2:13 left in the period.
Thompson struck again early in the second quarter, putting an exclamation point on another scoring drive with his own one-yard touchdown run after coordinating a 15-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 5:08. The touchdown gave the Huskers a 14-3 just over three minutes into the second period.
Northwestern answered just over a minute later on Hilinski's 41-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Niro III to cut the Husker lead to 14-10 with 10:58 left in the first half.
Thompson appeared to have Nebraska back in position to put up more points, but after a 24-yard completion to Garcia-Castaneda, Northwestern linebacker Greyson Metz pulled the ball free from the receiver's right arm as they went to the ground. The call on the field was a fumble, but upon review it appeared that Garcia-Castaneda's knee was down before the ball was pulled loose. However, it was determined their was not enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. The call stood, stopping Nebraska's drive and giving the Wildcats the ball at the Northwestern 11-yard line.
Nebraska's defense held on the drive and did not allow the Wildcats to convert the turnover into points, but the Huskers were silenced the rest of the half. Northwestern found the end zone again with Hilinski's six-yard touchdown pass to Donny Navarro with 25 seconds left to give the Cats a 17-14 lead.
Thompson and the Huskers were able to threaten in the final seconds of the half, setting up a 55-yard field goal attempt for Brendan Franke as time expired, but the long kick sailed wide right to close the first 30 minutes.
Northwestern took a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime and started the second half with the ball, but the Blackshirts came up with quick stop and then Thompson and the Cornhuskers went back to work. Thompson marched the Big Red 88 yards in nine plays, including a highlight-reel 58-yard hookup with Garcia-Castaneda to convert on 3rd-and-8 from the Nebraska 24-yard line. The drive was capped by Anthony Grant's first touchdown as a Husker. His three-yard touchdown run put Nebraska back on top 21-17 just over five minutes into the third quarter.
The Blackshirts came up with a big play moments later, forcing a fumble by Cam Porter at the end of a 21-yard run. The fumble, which was recovered by Caleb Tannor, turned into Nebraska points two plays later, when Grant galloped 46 yards for a touchdown to put the Big Red back up by 11 points at 28-17 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.
Northwestern stopped Nebraska's momentum by recovering an on-side kick attempt, giving the Wildcats a short field. Five plays later, Porter atoned for his fumble on the previous drive, plowing into the end zone from three yards out to cut the Husker lead back to 28-24 with 7:53 left in the quarter.
Nebraska maintained its four-point lead into the fourth quarter, and less than a minute into the period, the Blackshirts stopped the Wildcats and forced an Adam Stage field goal attempt. Stage missed wide right from 36 yards, and Thompson quickly moved the Huskers near midfield after a pair of completions to Brody Belt. But on 1st-and-10 from the Nebraska 38, Thompson's pass deep down the middle was intercepted by Cameron Mitchell, who returned it to the Northwestern 42 before being tackled by Thompson.
Six plays later, Anthony Hull burst six yards into the end zone to put Northwestern back on top, 31-28 with 11:34 left. The defenses held the rest of the way, and Nebraska was unable to stop the Wildcat running game. Hull led all rushers in the game with 119 yards on 22 carries, while Porter pitched in 94 yards on 19 totes.
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (3-3, 1-2) | at | NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (3-3, 1-2) |
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WHEN: Saturday, October 21 | 2:30 PM (CT)
WHERE: Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus, Jake Butt, Brooke Fletcher)
RADIO: Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Damon Benning, Jessica Coody)
NEBRASKA
Record: 3-3 (1-2 Big Ten)
Last Game: at Illinois (W 20-7)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Head Coach: Matt Rhule (3-3, 1st year NU | 50-46, 8th year overall) / 0-0 vs. Northwestern
NORTHWESTERN
Record: 3-3 (1-2 Big Ten)
Last Game: vs. Howard (W 23-20)
Streak: Won 1
Rank: NR
Head Coach (Interim): David Braun (3-3, 1st year at NU | 3-3, 1st year overall) / 0-0 vs. Nebraska
THIS WEEK'S NUMBERS
3 - Since 2011, seven of the 12 meetings between Nebraska and Northwestern have been decided by three points or fewer, with an additional game decided in overtime by seven points
100 - Memorial Stadium officially reached the 100-year mark this month. Nebraska played its first game in the stadium on Oct. 13, 1923.
592 - Saturday's game between Nebraska and Northwestern will mark the 592nd all-time game in the 100-year history of Memorial Stadium
THE MATCHUP
Nebraska returns to Memorial Stadium for a two-game homestand, beginning with a Big Ten West matchup against Northwestern this Saturday. The contest between the Huskers and the Wildcats will kick off shortly after 2:30 p.m., with television coverage provided by Big Ten Network and on the Fox Sports App. The game is also available on the Huskers Radio Network, the official Huskers App and Huskers.com.
Nebraska will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium as part of Saturday's game-day festivities. One of college football's most iconic and storied venues hosted its first game on Oct. 13, 1923, and was officially dedicated a week later on Oct. 20, 1923. The Huskers and Northwestern will play before the 393rd consecutive sellout in Lincoln, a streak that dates back to 1962.
Nebraska heads into the second half of its 2023 season with a 3-3 record, including a 1-2 mark in the Big Ten. The Huskers posted a 20-7 victory in their most recent outing, an Oct. 6 victory at Illinois. Nebraska continued to lean on its defense in the win at Illinois, allowing just 21 rushing yards. The Blackshirt defense has been dominant against the run throughout the season, allowing less than 60 rushing yards in five of six games.
Northwestern will also enter the contest with a 3-3 record and a 1-2 mark in conference play. The Wildcats are also coming off a bye after defeating Howard, 23-20, in a non-conference game on Oct. 7. Northwestern boasts a strong passing game on offense, completing better than 60 percent of its attempts, while throwing for 10 touchdowns in the first half of the season. Interim Head Coach David Braun is leading the Wildcats after taking over the program this summer.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's meeting will be the 17th all-time meeting between Nebraska and Northwestern, and marks the 13th consecutive season the two schools have squared off. Nebraska holds a 9-7 advantage in the all-time series, including a 5-3 lead in games played in Lincoln.
- The series is tied at six wins apiece since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011
- Eight of the 12 meetings between the schools since 2011 have been decided by three or fewer points or in overtime. Northwestern holds a 5-3 edge in those games.
- Nebraska has defeated Northwestern on the final play of the game twice in Lincoln -- a Hail Mary victory in 2013 and with a walk-off field goal to win in 2019.
- Nebraska and Northwestern will not meet in 2024 in the Big Ten's new non-divisional scheduling format. The schools are scheduled to meet in 2025, 2027 and 2028.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern History
1902: Nebraska 12, Northwestern 0 (Lincoln)
1931: Northwestern 19, Nebraska 7 (Evanston)
1974: #10 Nebraska 49, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2000: #9 Nebraska 66, #18 Northwestern 17 (Alamo Bowl)
-----------------------Big Ten---------------------
2011: Northwestern 28, #9 Nebraska 25 (Lincoln)
2012: Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Evanston)
2013: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Lincoln)
2014: #19 Nebraska 38, Northwestern 17 (Evanston)
2015: Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Lincoln)
2016: #20 Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13 (Evanston)
2017: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24 (OT) (Lincoln)
2018: Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31 (OT) (Evanston)
2019: Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Lincoln)
2020: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 13 (Evanston)
2021: Nebraska 56, Northwestern 7 (Lincoln)
2022: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28 (Dubin, Ireland)
Memorial Stadium Celebrates 100 Years
One of the most iconic venues in all of college sports reached a milestone this fall as Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium hits the 100-year mark. Nebraska is celebrating the anniversary of Memorial Stadium throughout the 2023 home season, with added elements for this Saturday's game.
- Memorial Stadium was built at a cost of $450,000 in 1923 and had an original capacity of 31,080
- The first game in Memorial Stadium occurred on Oct. 13, 1923, with the official dedication of the stadium a week later when Nebraska hosted Kansas on Oct. 20, 1923. Memorial Stadium was dedicated to honor Nebraskans who served in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, and Nebraskans who died in World War I. Later, the dedication was expanded to honor Nebraskans who died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
- Nebraska owns an all-time record of 430-148-13 at Memorial Stadium
- The Huskers have posted 33 unbeaten seasons at Memorial Stadium, most recently in 2016
- Every game at Memorial Stadium since 1962 has been sold out, a streak of 393 consecutive games. The 393-game streak spans nearly two-thirds of all games played at Memorial Stadium.
- Nebraska opened the 2023 home season at night against Northern Illinois. The first night game in Memorial Stadium was the 1986 season opener in a win over Florida State. Nebraska is 50-10 all-time in home night games following the win over NIU.
Uniforms to Celebrate First Game at Memorial Stadium
Nebraska will don alternate uniforms for Saturday's matchup against Northwestern. The Adidas uniforms will pay tribute to the first home game on Oct. 13, 1923 against Oklahoma.
- In the first game at Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma wore crimson uniforms, and to avoid confusion Nebraska wore blue uniforms for the game. In a nod to the uniforms for the inaugural game at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska's jerseys on Saturday will include a blue outline around the numerals.
- Nebraska's uniforms will also include a special 100-year patch on the shoulders of the uniform. In addition, the stripes on the sleeves include the wording from the original inscriptions on the four corners of Memorial Stadium.
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern has fielded a football team since 1882 and the Wildcats have tallied nearly 570 wins as a program. The Wildcats have claimed eight Big Ten Conference championships and two Big Ten West Division titles.
The Wildcats have made 16 bowl appearances, claiming six wins. Northwestern's last bowl game appearance came in the 2020 season when the Wildcats took on Auburn in the Citrus Bowl. Northwestern came away with a 35-19 victory over the Tigers.
First Year: 1882
All-Time Record: 562-700-44
Bowl Record: 6-10
Conference Titles: 8
National Titles: 0
Stadium: Ryan Field
Capacity: 47,330
Surface: Natural Grass
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Enrollment: 8,367
School Colors: Purple & White
2023 Northwestern Schedule/Results
at Rutgers (L 7-24)
Texas-El Paso (W 38-7)
at Duke (L 14-38)
Minnesota (W 37-34 OT)
Penn State (L 13-41)
Howard (W 23-20)
at Nebraska
Maryland
Cockeye
at Wisconsin
Purdue
at Illinois
About 2023 Northwestern Football
Northwestern has split its first six games in 2023 after coming away with a 23-20 victory against Howard on Oct. 7 in Evanston.
The Wildcats enter Saturday averaging 306.3 yards per game, with 203.3 yards per game through the air and 103.0 yards per game on the ground. Ben Bryant has completed 95-of-161 passes for 926 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Bryce Kirtz has 24 receptions for 327 yards and three touchdowns, followed by Cam Johnson with 26 grabs for 312 yards and a score. Cam Porter leads the Wildcat rushing attack with 299 rushing yards and a touchdown through six games this season. Brendan Sullivan has 31 carries for 96 yards and two scores, followed by A.J. Henning with 12 rushes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 362.0 yards per game and 27.3 points per game. Bryce Gallagher leads the Wildcats with 55 tackles and an interception. Xander Mueller has totaled 41 tackles, including a team-high seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season.
About Northwestern Coach David Braun
David Braun is the interim head coach at Northwestern and has the Wildcats off to a 3-3 start this season.
Braun arrived at Northwestern as a defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a defensive coordinator at North Dakota State and helping the Bison to a pair of FCS National Championships in 2019 and 2021. Under Braun, the Bison had the No. 1 scoring defense in the FCS twice in four seasons, including 2021 when he was named the Football Scoop FCS Coordinator of the Year.
Prior to his time at Northwestern and North Dakota State, Braun served as an assistant coach at Winona State (2008-09, 2011-14), Culver-Stockton (2010), UC-Davis (2015-16) and Northern Cockeye (2017-18).
Bruan played as a defensive lineman in college at NCAA Division II Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 2008.
Last Meeting: August 27, 2022
Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28
DUBLIN, IRELAND - Nebraska held a pair of 11-point leads, but Northwestern scored the final 14 points in both halves to claim a 31-28 win over the Huskers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium on Saturday to open the 2022 season.
Nebraska amassed 465 yards of total offense, including 355 yards on 25-of-42 passing by quarterback Casey Thompson, but Northwestern answered with 528 total yards, including 314 on 27-of-38 passing by Ryan Hilinski. The Wildcats also pounded the ball for 214 rushing yards. The Huskers committed three turnovers, including a pair of interceptions, compared to just one turnover by the Wildcats. Nebraska was flagged for just one penalty for five yards in the game, compared to eight miscues for 65 yards by the Wildcats.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda led the Nebraska receivers with 120 yards on four catches, including a touchdown, while Trey Palmer added a team-high eight receptions for 68 yards in his Husker debut. Tight end Travis Vokolek also hauled in five catches for 63 yards in just over a half before leaving the game.
Anthony Grant led the Big Red ground game with 101 yards on 19 carries, including a pair of third-quarter touchdown runs that gave Nebraska a 28-17 lead.
Nebraska struck first on transfer quarterback Casey Thompson's opening Husker drive, marching the Big Red 75 yards in just eight plays capped by his 32-yard touchdown strike to Garcia-Castaneda. It was Garcia-Castaneda's first catch as a Husker and it gave Nebraska a quick 7-0 lead just 2:19 into the game.
Northwestern got on the board for the first time late in the first quarter on Adam Stage's 35-yard field goal that capped a nine-play drive and cut the Nebraska lead to 7-3 with 2:13 left in the period.
Thompson struck again early in the second quarter, putting an exclamation point on another scoring drive with his own one-yard touchdown run after coordinating a 15-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 5:08. The touchdown gave the Huskers a 14-3 just over three minutes into the second period.
Northwestern answered just over a minute later on Hilinski's 41-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Niro III to cut the Husker lead to 14-10 with 10:58 left in the first half.
Thompson appeared to have Nebraska back in position to put up more points, but after a 24-yard completion to Garcia-Castaneda, Northwestern linebacker Greyson Metz pulled the ball free from the receiver's right arm as they went to the ground. The call on the field was a fumble, but upon review it appeared that Garcia-Castaneda's knee was down before the ball was pulled loose. However, it was determined their was not enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. The call stood, stopping Nebraska's drive and giving the Wildcats the ball at the Northwestern 11-yard line.
Nebraska's defense held on the drive and did not allow the Wildcats to convert the turnover into points, but the Huskers were silenced the rest of the half. Northwestern found the end zone again with Hilinski's six-yard touchdown pass to Donny Navarro with 25 seconds left to give the Cats a 17-14 lead.
Thompson and the Huskers were able to threaten in the final seconds of the half, setting up a 55-yard field goal attempt for Brendan Franke as time expired, but the long kick sailed wide right to close the first 30 minutes.
Northwestern took a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime and started the second half with the ball, but the Blackshirts came up with quick stop and then Thompson and the Cornhuskers went back to work. Thompson marched the Big Red 88 yards in nine plays, including a highlight-reel 58-yard hookup with Garcia-Castaneda to convert on 3rd-and-8 from the Nebraska 24-yard line. The drive was capped by Anthony Grant's first touchdown as a Husker. His three-yard touchdown run put Nebraska back on top 21-17 just over five minutes into the third quarter.
The Blackshirts came up with a big play moments later, forcing a fumble by Cam Porter at the end of a 21-yard run. The fumble, which was recovered by Caleb Tannor, turned into Nebraska points two plays later, when Grant galloped 46 yards for a touchdown to put the Big Red back up by 11 points at 28-17 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.
Northwestern stopped Nebraska's momentum by recovering an on-side kick attempt, giving the Wildcats a short field. Five plays later, Porter atoned for his fumble on the previous drive, plowing into the end zone from three yards out to cut the Husker lead back to 28-24 with 7:53 left in the quarter.
Nebraska maintained its four-point lead into the fourth quarter, and less than a minute into the period, the Blackshirts stopped the Wildcats and forced an Adam Stage field goal attempt. Stage missed wide right from 36 yards, and Thompson quickly moved the Huskers near midfield after a pair of completions to Brody Belt. But on 1st-and-10 from the Nebraska 38, Thompson's pass deep down the middle was intercepted by Cameron Mitchell, who returned it to the Northwestern 42 before being tackled by Thompson.
Six plays later, Anthony Hull burst six yards into the end zone to put Northwestern back on top, 31-28 with 11:34 left. The defenses held the rest of the way, and Nebraska was unable to stop the Wildcat running game. Hull led all rushers in the game with 119 yards on 22 carries, while Porter pitched in 94 yards on 19 totes.
