Two special teams TDs pace 'Huskers
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- If Nebraska hoped to build momentum for its
game at Texas, the Cornhuskers (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP) certainly didn't do it with
their 28-0 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
The Huskers' offense did all its scoring in the first 22 minutes
and then appeared uninterested much of the second half.
"It was a quick start by us," Nebraska coach Frank Solich
said. "It was not the finish we were looking for."
The defense and special teams carried the load as the Huskers
(7-1, 3-1 Big 12) avenged a 36-14 loss last year in Ames and
assured themselves of their 42nd winning season in 43 years.
Josh Bullocks blocked a punt to set up a touchdown and returned
another blocked punt for a score.
Nebraska held the Cyclones to 230 yards while posting its second
shutout of the season. The Huskers beat Troy State 30-0 on Oct. 4.
"That's what it all comes down to," defensive end Trevor
Johnson said. "If you get a big old goose egg, you had a great
defensive day."
Iowa State (2-6, 0-4) hadn't been shut out in a school-record
138 games, since losing 41-0 to Kansas in 1991. The Cyclones lost
their sixth straight game and their 13th in a row in Lincoln.
The Cyclones' deepest penetration was to the Nebraska 42 until
they reached the Huskers 20 in the final two minutes against the
third- and fourth-string defense.
Nebraska backup quarterback Joe Dailey took over for Jammal Lord
in the middle of the second quarter. Against a defense that ranks
108th nationally, the Huskers saw drives end at the Iowa State 28,
34, 32 and 9. Nebraska finished with 317 total yards, its second
lowest output of the season.
"I'm very proud of our team today, especially our defense,"
Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said. "We only gave up one long
scoring drive. Other than that, it's blocked punt, blocked punt and
a fumble that we give to them on the 20-yard line."
After going up 28-0 midway through the second quarter, the
Huskers began substituting liberally early in the third quarter.
Lord put the Huskers up 7-0 when he ran in from the 1 seven
plays after Bullocks blocked Tony Yelk's punt deep in Iowa State
territory.
Lord broke a 31-yard run on the Huskers' next series before wide
receiver Isaiah Fluellen scored on a 39-yard reverse. Fluellen was
the leading rusher with 78 yards on five carries.
The Huskers were up 21-0 late in the first quarter when Demorrio
Williams blocked Yelk's punt and Bullocks ran it back 26 yards for
a touchdown.
"We emphasizing trying to dominate on special teams," Bullocks
said. "Punt blocks was a category we needed to improve on. This
week happened to be a week we did real well on it."
Nebraska scored again after Iowa State quarterback Austin Flynn
lost the ball when he was hit by Trevor Johnson at the Cyclones 21.
Three plays later, Josh Davis ran in from a yard out.
Dailey, who had mopped up for Lord in four previous games, saw
his most extensive action of the season. He ran 15 times for 55
yards and completed 2 of 4 passes, with one interception, for 16
yards.
"It was very valuable for him," Solich said. "He got a lot of
experience in this game. Joe probably hasn't had a great week of
practice the last couple of weeks. When you add it all up, it was
good for him to get this much playing time. He'll only get
better."
Flynn was the Cyclones' top rusher, with 26 yards on 15 carries.
He completed 13 of 29 passes, with one interception, for 109 yards.
Receiver Lance Young caught six passes for 68 yards.
"You never go into the game expecting to shut them out,"
Nebraska defensive coordinator Bo Pelini said. "Things went our
way today. Our guys made the big plays. We were slipping a little
at the end, but fortunately we got off the field."
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2020 Big 12 Conference Standings
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Iowa State | 8-1 | 9-3 |
Oklahoma | 6-2 | 9-2 |
Oklahoma State | 6-3 | 8-3 |
Texas | 5-3 | 7-3 |
TCU | 5-4 | 6-4 |
West Virginia | 4-4 | 6-4 |
Kansas State | 4-5 | 4-6 |
Texas Tech | 3-6 | 4-6 |
Baylor | 2-7 | 2-7 |
Kansas | 0-8 | 0-9 |
2020 Big Ten Conference Standings
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Ohio State | 5-0 | 7-1 |
Indiana | 6-1 | 6-2 |
Penn State | 4-5 | 4-5 |
Maryland | 2-3 | 2-3 |
Rutgers | 3-6 | 3-6 |
Michigan | 2-4 | 2-4 |
Michigan State | 2-5 | 2-5 |
TEAM | CONF | OVR |
Northwestern | 6-1 | 7-2 |
Iowa | 6-2 | 6-2 |
Wisconsin | 3-3 | 4-3 |
Minnesota | 3-4 | 3-4 |
Nebraska | 3-5 | 3-5 |
Purdue | 2-4 | 2-4 |
Illinois | 2-6 | 2-6 |