Stukenholtz: A Better Blowout – But Bigger Ballgames Await

LINCOLN — That’s more like it, huh?.

If you watched the first half of Nebraska’s 56-7 win over Bowling Green on Saturday night, that feeling of nostalgia came running back like Jamal Rule through the B gap. Explosive plays and long touchdowns. Holding a bad team to zero 3rd down conversions. That lopsided halftime score of 35-0.

It’s stuff like this that Nebraska has struggled to manage. As a Big Ten school aspiring to College Football Playoff appearances, the expectation for “Group-of-6” non-conference games should be to kick so much butt in the first 30 minutes that you can basically sleepwalk through the next 30, avoid injury, and still cover the spread.

Check, check, and check.

Yes, Bowling Green is a much worse football program right now than Ohio. And yes, it’s just a MAC school getting a fat paycheck, not a Power-4 opponent. But 56-7 just feels so much better than a late pull-away after a 7-point lead in the 4th quarter.

If Ohio was about the run game, then Bowling Green was about the pass game.

The obvious: Anthony Colandrea has an arm. A strong one AND an accurate one. NU’s QB1 fired some lasers on 3rd down and into the end zone. After offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen called for a higher completion percentage, Colandrea went 20-for-24 for 4 first-half touchdowns. His first interception of the season was tough luck, hitting Jacory Barney in the hands about 15 yards downfield before it was ultimately controlled on the ground by the defender. In addition to his air attack, Colandrea also ran for a 45-yard touchdown that got called back by penalty.

The quickness with which he operates the offense is in stark contrast to another recent Husker quarterback. The play fakes are sharp and the release is fast, too. And the escapability? Whew!

Defensively, the story was Owen Chambliss. How different would things look with the main man in the middle of Rob Aurich’s 4-2-5 scheme? And would he hit the ground running in after missing week one?

Well, it was better. And yeah, you noticed Chambliss.

While the middle linebacker was credited with just four total tackles, he was involved often and no doubt ensured that NU was lined up correctly throughout the game. As we all saw on play number one from Ohio, that isn’t automatic. Chambliss had a nice run stuff on a 2nd & 3 when NU led 14-0, helping to force one of the Blackshirts’ five 3-n-outs in the first half.

There were turnovers, sacks, TFLs, and even a scoop-and-score. Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich had things clicking.

What’s Real and What’s Not (Yet)

I wanted to evaluate Nebraska’s two wins through the lens of a Big Ten team trying to defeat other Big Ten teams. How much of this will matter?

Anthony Colandrea’s Ball Security: REAL

The guy has more turnovers than turnover-worthy plays. Seriously, read that again! If last week’s decision-making was about 95%, as Holgorsen said, he had to be pretty close to 100% here. Now, to be clear, I’m not suggesting he won’t commit more turnovers in future games. What I will say is that the talent, confidence, and decisive manner he plays with will serve him well as the opposing defenses increase the difficulty level.

The Revamped Offensive Line: REAL

Chalk it up to an up-and-coming position coach with a track record of real success. Or the talent of the guys up front. Or the cash splash strategy in the transfer portal this offseason. I really don’t care how the credit gets divvied up as long as we can agree that Nebraska has a real, Big Ten offensive line. Even in a game that has me gushing about all the aerial fireworks, NU still churned out 264 yards on the ground. The ease with which they did their jobs against Bowling Green tells me they’re capable of winning a game later this season because of the offensive line rather than in spite of it.

Winning the Defensive Trenches: NOT YET

I’m not convinced that Nebraska’s defensive front will be a net positive in conference play. I do appreciate Williams Nwaneri’s length and explosiveness, Riley Van Poppel’s better fit in the 4-down lineman formation, and the sheer number of guys who can hold their own. But I really worry about the pass rush against better lines. Or stopping the run when facing better running backs. And can a guy get a red zone stop? Just one?? While there are encouraging signs through two games, I’m still a “wait and see” guy when it comes to this line.

No Special Teams Regression: NOT YET

Archie Wilson didn’t have to punt on Saturday, and Bowling Green couldn’t return a kickoff to the 25-yard line. That’s great. But you still see too many penalties on special teams, including three on punt returns. That stuff will cost the Huskers when they play Big Ten competition. Kudos to Quinn Clark for getting a piece of a 3rd-quarter punt; that punt block unit looks like it could be a weapon. And while I wouldn’t like the offense to fail in drives against North Dakota next weekend, I wouldn’t hate seeing Kyle Cunanan see at least one field goal attempt make it through the uprights before the East Lansing trip. Maybe it’ll be fine, but I’m still skeptical of at least some pieces of special teams.

All-B1G-Worthy Performances

Jacory Barney: 8 receptions on 10 targets, 115 yards, 2 touchdowns (and another TD-erasing penalty)

Andrew Marshall: 7 total tackles, 3 solo tackles, TFL, more solid coverage

Anthony Colandrea: 20-24, 222 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 4 carries, 33 yards, one long TD run called back for holding. Yes, he was that good.

That’s So 1990s

He’s not giving the 1995 Heisman Trophy to Tommie Frazier (its rightful owner), but at least Eddie George had to come to Lincoln and get a whooping as the head coach of Bowling Green.

Fans of a certain age will remember emptying the bench late in a blowout win and the inevitable big play from a walk-on. Cheers, Derek Wacker!