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What looked like a Nebraska-Oklahoma battle from a bygone era also had the distinct feel of a Huskers game in recent years.
The height of the NU-OU rivalry after the 1971 Game of the Century was littered with one-scoring matches, including 11 from 1972 to 1988. Saturday was no different.
The Scott Frost era was a roller coaster with the groin kick a result stuck time and time again due to costly mistakes. Saturday was no different.
The No.3 Sooners (3-0) took almost seven minutes of possession in the game’s opening practice for a touchdown. Nebraska (2-2) responded with almost the same time on the clock, but finished with a field goal.
After trading pitches, Oklahoma missed a 54-yard field goal, giving the ball to Nebraska in midfield. The Huskers moved around the range themselves to try to close the gap, but also missed.
It wouldn’t be the last field Nebraska missed that day.
Ask any Husker fan of any age before the game if you would take Norman a 7-3 deficit at halftime, and the answer for almost all respondents would have been 100%. Also, Nebraska got the ball to start the third quarter.
Another long drive, this time 5:41 am, and the Huskers lined up for a basket again. Again, the failed kick.
OU responded to a touchdown, meaning Nebraska had to produce or risk losing momentum.
Using both Rahmir Johnson’s run and reception, as well as a 38-yard dime to Travis Vokolek, Adrian Martinez was able to cap the run with a short touchdown run. The problem was that the kicking game was taking over the field.
After missing two baskets in the game, and up to five during the season and two more missed points, Connor Culp remained on the sidelines with Kelen Meyer pulling the shot.
Oklahoma pushed for the extra point, passing straight through right guard Ethan Piper, and a Sooner blocked the attempt. Another OU picked up the ball and sent it back the other way for two points.
The Sooners picked up that momentum on the court on the next possession and extended the lead to 23-9 with 10:24 left in the game.
Husker’s next possession started with a timeout before a play could be executed. Remember that for later.
Nebraska entered the red zone, but a sack pushed the offense to fourth and 17th. Martinez dodged another sack and threw a pass near the goal line which was pushed back.
Martinez’s first interception of the year was as good as any Nebraska fan could have hoped for.
Supported by his own threes, OU went to threes and away.
Three games were enough for Martinez to find Omar Manning in the end zone and, after an uneventful extra point, take the game to 23-17.
With just two timeouts and Oklahoma establishing a running game, the Sooners burned 4:40 before needing to kick. Nebraska used their last two timeouts to gain some time against the clock.
With just 57 seconds and no downtime, the Huskers needed perfect training to keep their hopes of victory alive. Instead, Martinez was sacked twice and thrown into midfield twice as the clock hit all zeros.
Despite his first interception of the season, Martinez has been phenomenal. The fourth-year starter was 19 for 25 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown, adding 34 net rushing yards and another score.
The problem was the constant pressure in the backfield as Martinez was sacked five times.
The Nebraska offensive line, in addition to allowing five sacks, achieved the unenviable statistic of having all five linemen penalized. The Huskers finished the day with eight penalties.
Rahmir Johnson led the Huskers on the ground with 11 carries for 42 yards. Gabe Ervrin, who left the game with a non-contact injury, ran nine times for 18 yards.
After three straight games with a 100-yard receiver, Zavier Betts led the way with a still impressive total of 61 yards. Eight different Huskers were targeted on Saturday, seven of which made catches.
Defensively, JoJo Domann flew all over the field to lead all tackles with 12 in the game. He had one of Blackshirt’s five pass breakups, although three had a good chance of being steals instead.
Nebraska have proven to the nation they can play with anyone, dropping one point to the number three team in the nation’s home, but this schedule remains without a ‘we’re back’ moment for fans. . With eight games to go, the Huskers must finish .500 to play their first bowl game under Frost.
The Huskers remain on the road next week for an overnight game at East Lansing. Michigan State (3-0) comes off a 38-17 victory at No.24 Miami.
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