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Here are the final snap counts and grades for Nebraska’s offense in its 31-28 loss to Northwestern, courtesy of Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Take: Quarterback Casey Thompson had an 82.9 passing grade against Northwestern even after throwing two interceptions and having one passing touchdown to boost his score. He ran the ball once, on a quarterback keep at the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Texas transfer earned a 62.8 rushing grade and a 69.8 fumble grade.
In his first game as a Husker, Thompson passed better under pressure or when he was blitzed than not, scoring in the high 80s in both categories. He excelled when making throws from 10-19 yards and earned a 90.8 grade on his medium passes.
Of Thompson’s 42 passes, 14 were dropped by his receiver and 25 were completions. That leaves those two interceptions – one a tipped ball and the other a bad call – and another bad pass.
Nebraska QB Thompson draws praise from Frost, but the coach makes clear that the Texas transfer faces a learning curve in the Big Ten
Take: JUCO product Anthony Grant got the start after a competitive fall camp and earned 94 rushing yards on 17 carries. His run grade tallied to 81.2 with a 59.2 run block grade. After contact, the 2021 Junior College Offensive Player of the Year had 66 yards. Grant had two touchdowns including a 46-yarder to capitalize on Nebraska’s fumble recovery in the third quarter.
Outside of Grant, the Huskers had 21 total yards on eight carries from sophomore Jaquez Yant and freshman Ajay Allen.
Take: New Mexico State transfer Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda led Nebraska with 120 receiving yards on four catches. Trey Palmer had a team-high 13 targets with eight catches and 67 yards. Palmer (slot) and Marcus Washington (wide) played the most snaps at receiver.
Garcia-Castaneda was the only wide receiver with a reception of over 20 yards thanks to a 58-yard bomb from Thompson. Brody Belt caught a 19-yarder.
Five things we learned from Nebraska’s loss to Northwestern
Take: Senior tight end Travis Vokolek had a huge first half before he went down clutching his left ankle in the third quarter and didn’t return. Vokolek caught all five balls thrown his way for 64 yards and five first downs.
Austin Allen, who is now with the New York Giants, was Nebraska’s go-to receiver in big moments and it seems Vokolek is that man this season. He said after the game that he expects his ankle to be fine.
Redshirt freshman Nate Boerkircher came in when Vokolek went down and had one target that he tipped above his head and was almost picked off.
Take: Nebraska’s offensive line didn’t give up a sack or have a penalty. Both center Trent Hixson and right guard Broc Bando didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure. Bryce Benhart and Turner Corcoran (now at left guard) were the two of the worst tackles in college football in terms of pressures allowed and gave up three against Northwestern.
Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore, who ranked No. 2 in Nebraska On3’s Ranking the Big Ten pass rushers, had four total pressures with a 74 grade against the Huskers.
www.on3.com
Here are the final snap counts and grades for Nebraska’s offense in its 31-28 loss to Northwestern, courtesy of Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Quarterback
| Player | Snaps | Pass plays | Run plays | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Thompson – Jr. | 74 | 42 | 1 | 84.1 |
| Logan Smothers – So. | 1 | 0 | 1 | 67.6 |
In his first game as a Husker, Thompson passed better under pressure or when he was blitzed than not, scoring in the high 80s in both categories. He excelled when making throws from 10-19 yards and earned a 90.8 grade on his medium passes.
Of Thompson’s 42 passes, 14 were dropped by his receiver and 25 were completions. That leaves those two interceptions – one a tipped ball and the other a bad call – and another bad pass.
Nebraska QB Thompson draws praise from Frost, but the coach makes clear that the Texas transfer faces a learning curve in the Big Ten
Running back
| Player | Snaps | Run plays | Pass plays | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Grant – Jr. | 51 | 17 | 31 | 76.3 |
| Jaquez Yant – So. | 11 | 6 | 0 | 58.6 |
| Ajay Allen – Fr. | 13 | 4 | 0 | 62.3 |
Outside of Grant, the Huskers had 21 total yards on eight carries from sophomore Jaquez Yant and freshman Ajay Allen.
Wide Receiver
| Player | Snaps | Targets | Catches | Drops | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Palmer – Jr. | 48 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 66.2 |
| Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda – Jr. | 34 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 70.1 |
| Marcus Washington – Jr. | 52 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 55.8 |
| Alante Brown – So. | 34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 60.9 |
| Brody Belt – Jr. | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 78.4 |
| Wyatt Liewer – Jr. | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.2 |
| Oliver Martin – Sr. | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47.1 |
Garcia-Castaneda was the only wide receiver with a reception of over 20 yards thanks to a 58-yard bomb from Thompson. Brody Belt caught a 19-yarder.
Five things we learned from Nebraska’s loss to Northwestern
Tight end
| Player | Snaps | Targets | Catches | Run block grade | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Vokolek – Sr. | 49 | 5 | 5 | 81 | 87.5 |
| Nate Boerkircher – RFr. | 27 | 1 | 0 | 58.4 | 61.4 |
| Chancellor Brewington – Sr. | 16 | 0 | 0 | 47.3 | 49.4 |
Austin Allen, who is now with the New York Giants, was Nebraska’s go-to receiver in big moments and it seems Vokolek is that man this season. He said after the game that he expects his ankle to be fine.
Redshirt freshman Nate Boerkircher came in when Vokolek went down and had one target that he tipped above his head and was almost picked off.
Offensive line
| Player | Snaps | Pressures | Run | Pass | Overall grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Prochazka – So. | 75 | 1 QB hit, 7 hurries | 46.4 | 24.5 | 38.5 |
| Turner Corcoran – So. | 75 | 2 hurries | 49.4 | 31.6 | 48.4 |
| Trent Hixson – Sr. | 75 | 55.9 | 55.6 | 56.4 | |
| Broc Bando – Sr. | 56 | 52.2 | 71.7 | 56.5 | |
| Henry Lutovsky – RFr. | 19 | 3 hurries | 60 | 15.4 | 49.9 |
| Bryce Benhart – So. | 75 | 1 hurry | 53.1 | 70.3 | 60.1 |
| Hunter Anthony – Jr. | 2 | 48.1 | – | 53.7 | |
| Ethan Piper – So. | 2 | 58.4 | – | 59.5 |
Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore, who ranked No. 2 in Nebraska On3’s Ranking the Big Ten pass rushers, had four total pressures with a 74 grade against the Huskers.
PFF snap counts and grades for Nebraska's offense vs. Northwestern
Here are final snap counts and grades for Nebraska's offense in its 31-28 loss to Northwestern courtesy of Pro Football Focus (PFF).
