Nebraska Football v. Michigan // Corbey Dorsey Photography
LINCOLN – There is still a lot to improve for Nebraska Football, that much was clear Saturday afternoon as No. 2 Michigan blasted the Huskers 45-7.
The game was never in question, as Nebraska was overmatched from the opening kickoff.
On a blistering day – the hottest contest of the season so far for Nebraska with a kickoff temperature at ninety-three degrees – the Huskers hosted their toughest test of the season as No. 2 Michigan entered Memorial Stadium.
It would be the second Big Ten conference game of the year, as Nebraska fell to Minnesota in Week One 13-10.
Nebraska won the coin toss and elected to send the ball to Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines to kickoff the contest.
On the second offensive play of the game, defensive back DeShon Singleton went down attempting to make a play on Michigan back Blake Corum.
Michigan they proceeded to pound the Blackshirts, going eleven plays, seventy-five yards, and ending on a miraculous touchdown catch from the Wolverines’ Roman Wilson off the back of the Huskers’ Isaac Gifford’s helmet into the end zone. An ominous start for the Huskers as they trailed 7-0.
Heinrich Haarberg earned his third career start, but the Huskers relied on Anthony Grant to start the game on a short run. The next play – a five wide formation set – left Memorial Stadium scratching their heads as his first pass was tipped at the line and intercepted by Michigan.
A twenty yard touchdown run by Michigan’s Mullins had Nebraska behind the eight-ball early in the first. 14-0 Wolverines.
Nebraska had to settle in to the contest trailing by two scores with 7:15 remaining in the first quarter. Haarberg did so with a deep out, connecting to Fidone for the first first down of the contest for the Big Red. Another double-pump crossing route caught by Billy Kemp pushed the Huskers to the Wolverine 21 after the gain after the reception and run. After a false start, Nebraska churned to a a critical fourth and one inside the Wolverine eleven yard line. Out of a timeout, Haarberg attempted to leap over the line but was stonewalled, allowing Michigan to get the ball back and held the Huskers without points.
Starting near the end of the first, Michigan had the chance to put Nebraska away early. The first quarter came to an end as the Wolverines faced a third and seven at their own fifteen, leading 14-0.
Michigan immediately moved away from the shadows of their end zone after flipping ends of the field. A first down pass, a five yard run, and a first down flip from quarterback McCarthy continued to showcase the physicality and efficiency of the Wolverines.
Michigan flipped into their bag of tricks next – a flea flicker moved the ball into Nebraska’s thirty. A McCarthy touchdown scramble completed the scoring drive and Memorial Stadium sat in silence after the 88 yard drive. Wolverines 21-0, 11:22 remaining in the half.
Nebraska’s Haarberg mishandled a snap on second down, resulting in his third down scramble falling short. A three-and-out brought on Brian Buschini’s first punt of the contest.
Michigan went three-and-out after two incompletions and a short jet sweep, as Nebraska finally earned their defensive stop to get the ball back after the Wolverine punt.
Haarberg had Nebraska back in rhythm with some luck; another tipped pass fell back to the Kearney Catholic alum’s hands as he gained positive yardage then hit Kemp for a first down on the following third down. Kemp and the Huskers’ luck ran out, as a short pass ended in a punt that would bounce out of the Michigan returners’ hands, back to the Wolverines, followed by a solid return to the Michigan 45.
The Wolverines pushed the ball between the tackles early, getting a first down as the clock began to run under two minutes in the half. Blake Corum moved the chains on a first down run, as McCarthy would connect to stop the clock on a five yard completion. The Wolverine continued to churn out first downs on the ground, as McCarthy connected on a sixteen yard touchdown to Wilson along the backline of the end zone, giving Michigan a 28-0 lead prior to halftime.
Haarberg would scramble for a first down near the Husker forty yard line, giving some hope for points for the Big Red. Following a short completion, Nebraska used a timeout with eight seconds left. A pass thrown away ended the half.
Nebraska would have more than just soul-searching to do as they trailed four scores as they entered their newly revamped locker room.
The early prayers were answered, as Haarberg connected with Marcus Washington for their first completion on the afternoon working downfield for a catch and run to the Michigan twenty on the 56 yard reception. Anthony Grant nearly lost the ball, but an offensive lineman pounced on the loose ball. After the near-turnover and flash start, Haarberg was sacked. Disappointment turned to disaster, as Tristan Alvano pushed his 40 yard attempt right to keep the Huskers scoreless.
Michigan continued to roll, as their offensive machine converted an early third down, then pushed the ball downfield into Husker territory on a deep in route from McCarthy. The Michigan quarterback remained impressive on the drive, as the Wolverines mixed the run and pass to lead down to the Nebraska one yard line. Corum would punch in the score, putting Nebraska further in the hole down 35-0 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Haarberg misfired on his first two throws of the following series, then threw the ball away on the final play of the three-and-out. The Sea of Red began to trickle further and further back to their tailgates, parking lots, and downtown Lincoln.
The Wolverines began to call off the dogs with 5:38 remaining in the third. The reserve quarterback, Tuttle, entered the game for the first time. The balanced attack continued, as the Wolverines churned out several first downs into Husker territory. Michigan would convert three third downs into first downs on the drive nearing the end of the third quarter.
The end of the third period had Michigan firmly in control, leading 35-0.
The thirty yard field goal by Michigan at the start of the fourth made the contest a 38-0 lead. With 14:17 Husker faithful was aiming for the game under (in a state that does not allow formal sports gambling on its home team).
Haarberg remained in the contest, getting a quick first down on a short run by Emmett Johnson. That good feeling went away, as the Kearney native was sacked and lost the ball into a deep loss. Johnson would provide an outlet for Haarberg, converting another first down. Fidone moved the ball into midfield as the Huskers angled to avoid a shutout at home with eleven minutes left to play.
The shutout turned from a possibility to a harsh reality as Haarberg overshot one receiver on a deep cross, Washington dropped a slant, and the quarterback was sacked on fourth down for a turnover on downs.
Michigan then placed their third string quarterback into the contest, beginning their fourth quarter drive at midfield. The Wolverines continued to drive while most backups saw action, ending on an eight yard touchdown pass. 45-0 Michigan, 4:37 remaining in the contest.
Haarberg remained in the contest as a 74 yard touchdown by newly minted running back Josh Fleecs on the first play of the drive gave Nebraska fans (those that were left) something to cheer for, as Nebraska trailed 45-7 with 4:17 left int he contest.
Nebraska’s attempted onside kick fell into the hands of Michigan. As the sun set onto Memorial Stadium, the sparse crowd was provided with hope of a quiet ending to a blowout defeat. A turnover on downs from Michigan provided Haarberg one final drive with less than a minute to play.
The Huskers would end the day with a pass to midfield, a timeout with three seconds remaining, and a failed Hail Mary. The Huskers would drop 45-7 in the final at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska would finish with Haarberg going 14-25 for 199 passing yards and an interception. The Huskers wrapped with 106 total rushing yards – 74 of them coming on Fleeks single carry. Anthony Grant was the next leading rusher at 16 yards.
Michigan controlled every aspect of the game: 187 passing yards with four different quarterbacks, throwing three touchdowns while going 16-23. The Wolverines ran 51 times for 249 rushing yards and three scores.
Michigan had 26 first downs to the Huskers 10, and held the ball for 38:01 compared to Nebraska’s 21:59.
Nebraska is now 2-3 on the year and 0-2 in conference play. The Huskers have six days to prepare for a trip to Urbana-Champaign facing the Illinois Fighting Illini. KGFW and HITS 106-KQKY will have the contest on the air on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, 105.9 FM, online at KGFW.com and KQKY.com, and on the free KGFW and HITS 106 mobile apps.
The Huskers next home contest is set for Saturday, Oct. 21 taking on the Northwestern Wildcats.