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Wisconsin Football: Nebraska Cornhusker Preview

By Noah Seligman

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 29: Corey Clement
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 29: Corey Clement /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 12: Place kicker Spencer Lindsay
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 12: Place kicker Spencer Lindsay /

Nebraska Special Teams

The last time Wisconsin and Nebraska met in Lincoln special teams ultimately decided the outcome.

Wisconsin kicker Rafael Gaglianone missed from 39 yards away only to redeem himself as time expired.  Gaglianone drilled a 46-yarder on the final play to enable Wisconsin to smash-and-grab its way to a 23-21 victory.

As the decided underdog, the Cornhuskers need all the extra help it can muster.  That means the hosts need to win the special teams battle.

The weather outlook on Saturday for Lincoln is fairly mild with no precipitation or heavy winds in the forecast.  So that shouldn’t alter anything.

Nebraska field goal kicker Drew Brown is 5/6 for the season which makes him tied for 4th in the Big Ten in kicking percentage.  The senior’s career long is 51 yards.

Here is where Nebraska ranks nationally in special teams play according to NCAA statistics.

  • Kick Returns #4 (31.67 yards per return) 1 TD
  • Kick Return Defense #35 (18.1 yards per return)
  • Punt Returns #61 (7.4 yards per return)
  • Punt Return Defense #95 (10.8 yards per return), 1 TD allowed
  • Net Punting #55 (38.6 net yards per punt)
  • Fewest Penalties Per Game #41 (5.4 penalties per game)

The takeaway here is the Nebraska kick return game.  Wisconsin has to be careful here to not give the average Cornhusker offense any extra help.  That means booting the ball out of the end zone or at least angling it well to prevent big returns.

Next: Wisconsin Football Share Carries to help Jonathan Taylor

We’ve been waiting for the Wisconsin special teams to deliver a big play.  Nick Nelson came close to springing a big return on Saturday.  Given Nebraska’s struggles on punt return defense, perhaps Saturday is finally the day.