Piscataway, N.J. – Nebraska jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half and never looked back in a 31-14 victory over Rutgers at High Point Solutions Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With their second straight win, the Huskers improved to 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten, while Rutgers slipped to 3-7 and 1-6 in the conference.
The Huskers wasted little time taking control of the game, marching 78 yards in eight plays capped by Cethan Carter’s 32-yard touchdown dash on a tight end reverse on his first career carry.
The Blackshirt defense, which played arguably its most complete game of the season, forced Rutgers to three-and-outs on its first two possessions and gave the offense a chance to strike again in the first quarter.
Tommy Armstrong Jr. put the Huskers up 14-0 when he found Jordan Westerkamp on a 15-yard touchdown pass to end a five-play drive with 2:39 left in the opening quarter.
The Blackshirts, which held Rutgers to just 259 yards of total offense on the day, pitched a shutout in the first quarter and the offense struck again early in the second quarter. Taking over on a short field at the 50, Armstrong delivered a home run to Alonzo Moore with a touchdown pass covering 44 yards to put the Big Red up 21-0 with 11:49 left in the half.
The defense continued to play well through the first half, until the offense made a pair of mistakes in the final three minutes to allow the Scarlet Knights to stay in the game. With Nebraska driving, Armstrong overthrew Lane Hovey and Anthony Cioffic returned the interception 51 yards to the NU 6. Three plays later, Rutgers was on the board to cut the Husker lead to 21-7.
Two offensive plays later, Armstrong threw a second interception in three passes, which allowed Rutgers to attempt a Hail Mary pass to end the half. The play was defended well by the Big Red and went to the locker room up 14.
The third quarter continued rough for Armstrong, who threw his third interception on Nebraska’s first possession of the second half. Kevin Wilkins intercepted a screen pass and returned it to the NU 35. The Scarlet Knights cashed in that turnover on a five-yard touchdown pass from Janario Grant to quarterback Chris Laviano, after Laviono set up the score with his 30-yard pass to Leonte Carroo.
However, the Huskers responded with an eight-play scoring drive capped by Carter’s tremendous touchdown catch on an 11-yard pass from Armstrong, who capped a 75-yard drive with his third touchdown pass of the day.
Leading 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter, Drew Brown pushed Nebraska’s margin to three scores with his 44-yard field goal. It was Brown’s eighth consecutive made field goal, with all eight coming from at least 40 yards.
The Blackshirts did the rest, notching six big sacks of Laviano on the day, while Nate Gerry’s fourth interception of the season sealed the win with just under a minute left.
Nebraska will play its regular-season finale against Iowa on Friday, Nov. 27, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers will enjoy their first bye weekend of the season this coming Saturday.
SCORING SUMMARY
Nebraska at Rutgers
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015
High Point Solutions Stadium (New Brunswick, N.J.)
First Quarter (NU 14-0)
NU 10:56 – Carter 32 run (PAT Brown). 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:04. NU 7-0
NU 2:39 – Westerkamp 15 catch from Amstrong Jr (PAT Brown). 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:25. NU 14-0
Second Quarter (NU 21-7)
NU 11:49 – Moore 44 catch from Armstrong (PAT Brown). 2 plays, 50 yards, 0:45. NU 21-0
RU 1:17 – Martin run (PAT Federico). 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:23. NU 21-7
Third Quarter (NU 28-14)
RU 6:03 – Laviano 5 pass from Janario (PAT Federico). 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:39. NU 21-14
NU 1:58 – Carter 11 pass from Armstrong (PAT Brown). 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:05. NU 28-14
Fourth Quarter (NU 31-14)
NU 14:50 – Brown 44 kick. 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:39. NU 31-14
Attendance: 45,606
Time of Game:
Game Start: 2:35 p.m.