Nebraska Football v. LA Tech // Corbey Dorsey Photography
LINCOLN – It may not have been pretty, but much like their first win Nebraska found a way to out muscle Louisiana Tech on Saturday, earning a 28-14 at Memorial Stadium.
The Huskers entered the contest at 1-2 and aimed to even their record, hosting the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium.
News broke early Saturday morning that Kearney Catholic alum Heinrich Haarberg would receive his second start of the season – due in part to his performance in the 35-11 victory over Northern Illinois in Week Three. The incumbent, Jeff Sims, was still nursing his ankle injury suffered during the second half of the Colorado game. Sims, however, was still dressed and available as needed in the contest.
Tech’s starter, Hank Bachmeier – who had started the first four games of the season for the Bulldogs – went down with a shoulder injury allowed rising redshirt sophomore Jack Turner to place his first start.
Turner came out firing early, missing his first two passes but converting a third and long on the opening drive of the contest. The Bulldogs would not keep up the drive, however, and we’re forced to punt.
Haarberg’s first drive started by going backwards, with the Kearney native taking a sack in his own territory. The sophomore would make up for the loss with a short run followed by a scramble leading to a first down completion to Billy Kemp. A deep shot on the proceeding third and eight fell incomplete, as the Huskers would be forced to punt.
Louisiana Tech’s next drive had Turner move the chains after a holding call went on Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog. The Bulldogs’ Smoke Harris was featured many times on the drive, including several jet sweeps and reverses. The Bulldogs took a timeout prior to a third and long inside their own territory – as Turner misfired on an incompletion to bring another punt.
Haarberg kicked off his second drive with a solid run, then going to a traditional power option converted a first down. A completion to Kemp near midfield pushed the chains again. A dropped pass past the sticks intended for Marcus Washington forced the Huskers to punt.
Turner used a terrific ball fake to push ahead for a first down run after the possession change. After an incompletion and short run on third and long, the Bulldogs would punt as the game stayed scoreless near the end of the first quarter.
Haarberg ripped off a 43 yard gain off an option left side towards the Bulldog sideline. Anthony Grant picked up his first major carry of the day, as Nebraska remained tied heading into the second quarter. Facing a third and three at the LA Tech 18 yard line, Haarberg handed off to Grant who was cut down for a loss, leading to a fake field goal with a first down carry by reserve kicker Timmy Bleekrode. A jet sweep carry to Kemp led to a nine yard rushing score, giving Nebraska the 7-0 lead with 11:31 left in the half.
A major turn of events nearly occurred, as Louisiana Tech’s Allen returned the kickoff for a score but was called off due to a holding penalty. The marker pushed the Bulldogs back to their own 13 yard line. Turner connected early in the drive, as his first three completions went for two first downs. Nebraska’s defense began to stiffen up against the run, having only allowed 16 rushing yards in the first 23 minutes of play. After a Tech timeout, Turner dealt a strike on a deep corner with a Husker defender falling down, converting into Nebraska territory. Three runs later, Louisiana tech ran ahead for a Jacob Fields fourteen yard touchdown score to tie the contest with 6:07 remaining in the second quarter.
Haarberg ripped off a huge 75 yard run, only to be called back by a holding penalty called against Kemp. After some short gains on the ground, Haarberg was dropped for a loss losing his helmet bringing Jeff Sims in for a one yard loss. Facing third down, an incompletion to Kemp brought on another Buschini punt.
The Bulldogs nearly gave the ball right back to the Big Red, as a near interception instead ended as a short completion. A dropped pass ended in a three-and-out and a punt from Tech back to Nebraska nearing the end of the half.
The Huskers next drive began with less than two minutes to play, as a more conservative approach on the opening three plays burned a minute of time but did bring a first down at the 45 of Nebraska. A post to Kemp set Nebraska in field goal range at the Tech 33 yard line. A holding called on Tech’s defender guarding tight end Thomas Fidone brought the Huskers closer to the Tech red zone. Tristan Alvano’s 41 yard attempt missed wide left as the half expired, as the Huskers remained tied at seven.
The start of the third quarter opened with Nebraska receiving the second half kickoff as the sun began to break through the cloudy day. Tommi Hill looked to take a huge kick, instead fumbling the ball but having a Husker teammate recover. Grant took his first carry for a first down, setting the tone for a rejuvenated Big Red offense. Nebraska began to pound the rock, going for nine consecutive running plays (eight of them from the I-formation) ending in a one yard touchdown run by Grant completing the 85 yard scoring drive. 14-7, Huskers with 9:57 left in the third.
LA Tech’s first offensive drive of the second half started with strong completions from Turner as the Bulldogs looked to open up their passing attack with multiple conversions for first downs. Driving into Husker territory, the Bulldogs stalled near the thirty yard line and ultimately fell short on a turnover on downs on fourth and inches.
Nebraska immediately turned the corner on a long Grant touchdown run, but another holding penalty negated a signature touchdown by the running back. The Huskers could not recover, punting down to the Bulldog five yard line.
Nebraska forced a three-and-out, and a short punt return gave the Husker offense their best field position of the game. As the third quarter ended, Nebraska continued their lead up 14-7.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Thomas Fidone nabbed his first catch for a 29 yard catch and run to extend the Husker lead 21-7.
The Blackshirts aimed to own the fourth quarter, providing big hits on the ensuing drive by LA Tech. A deep shot by Turner nearly set up a pass interference call that was waived off on third and long.
The ground and pound continued for Nebraska after the Bulldog punt. After Anthony Grant converted a first down on back-to-back carries, Haarberg finally broke through – without a penalty – for a 72 yard touchdown run. Nebraska was showcasing the Big Red of old offensively, as the Huskers led 28-7 with 11:13 left in the contest.
The Big Red defense stood tall again, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back and aiming to milk the rest of the game away.
Instead, the Huskers threw the ball twice resulting in a loss on a Haarberg sack and a short catch and run to bring on another Buschini punt.
Both teams left the field with 8:39 remaining in the contest as a lightning delay took place, evacuating the stands for a slow moving storm.
Once play resumed, Tech began their drive inside their own 49 yard line. The Bulldogs moved down the field with efficient passing and a Turner scramble into the Huskers 25 yard line. The following play ended in a Tuner 20 yard touchdown pass to Allen to bring the game back within two scores, 28-14 with 5:17 left in the contest.
Backup quarterback Chubba Purdy entered the contest to close out the game. Grant would continue to tote the rock, as a first down would convert off of a pass interference from Tech’s defense. After a deep shot fell incomplete, the Bulldogs had 2:36 remaining to bring the game back within reach.
Turner would complete three straight passes, but a holding penalty on the drive would push Tech back inside their own territory with less than 90 seconds to play. On a third and five from midfield, former Husker DeColdest Crawford dropped the ball and tipped into the waiting arms of Isaac Gifford to seal the game on an interception.
Nebraska ended the contest with 313 team rushing yards, as both Haarberg and Grant finished well over the century mark.
The Huskers (2-2, 0-1) begin their next stretch of the season with their second game in the Big Ten hosting No. 2 Michigan (4-0) on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM with the contest televised on FOX.
The Nebraska/Michigan game can also be heard on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com. Pregame coverage will start at 10:30 AM.
The contest can also be heard across the Tri-Cities on HITS 106-KQKY on 105.9 FM, on the free HITS 106 mobile app, and online at KQKY.com. Pregame coverage starts at 1:45 PM with the Matt Rhule coaches show.
A full photo gallery will be available at KGFW and Central Nebraska Today.
