What Happened: Key Plays in Wisconsin Nebraska Game

The Situation: Nebraska Ball, 3rd-and-2 on the Wisconsin 17, 12:34 left 1st Quarter

Nebraska took the opening kickoff and moved nicely down the field against a normally stout Wisconsin defense.  The Huskers busted a run for 13 yards on its first snap.  On the next play, Nebraska picked on Wisconsin freshman defensive back Dontye Carriere-Williams.

Husker wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El feinted like he was running an in-breaking post route.  Carriere-Williams took the bait.  Pierson-El sharply cut back outside and safety Natrell Jamerson couldn’t get over in time.  The result was a 37-yard pass play that put Nebraska inside the Wisconsin 30.

Two runs put Nebraska in a 3rd-and-2.

The Play: Chris Orr intercepts Tanner Lee and returns it 75 yards for a Badger touchdown

Instead of sticking with the running game the Huskers tried a swing pass to the RB coming out of the backfield to the short side of the field.  Wisconsin had a single high safety look with TJ Edwards spying in the middle and single cover on the TE and three wide receivers.    Orr reads it early and breaks towards the football. The ball is at touch behind the RB and deflects of his pads/helmet.  Orr snags the carom and rumbles to daylight for the game’s opening touchdown.

The Result: Wisconsin takes a 7-0 lead without running a snap from scrimmage

Nebraska was well within field goal range and even an incompletion would have let them try.  With a  completion, Nebraska might have gotten the first down but there was a Badger breaking free to make the tackle in the open field.  Quite a swing.  Not a terrible play call but the Huskers likely would have been better running the ball given they had gained 21 yards on its first three carries.