Nebraska uses big second half to beat Kansas

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz throws against Kansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. Nebraska beat Kansas 45-35.(AP)

The Kansas Jayhawks football team hasn’t won in Lincoln in forty years, and yesterday was no different as the Jayhawks lost 45-35 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Huskers used a mix of a potent offense and a timely defense to be able to contain the powerful attack of Kansas and become bowl eligible. The Huskers put up 495 total yards to Kansas’ 422 yards. However, that figure for Kansas is a little bloated with late game yards.

The Husker defense came out aggressive and was constantly applying pressure to Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing — who finished 15 for 30 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — and made Reesing leave the pocket. Reesing is quite apt at this, and showed some moxie in gaining his 35 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. However, Reesing was seeing red all day, as the Huskers caused hurries and sacked the Kansas QB five times.

For the Huskers, Joe Ganz had another efficient day — going 28 for 37 for 324 yards, three touchdowns and one interception — and helped lead the Huskers in the cold blustery conditions. The Huskers also got a great game out of sophomore running back Roy Helu Jr., who had 115 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries — he also added 61 yards on eight receptions.

However, the story of the game was Nebraska’s 300-pound defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh. Suh had a career-high 12-tackle day, which included four tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Oh, and did I mention that he saw the field as a fullback? Not only that, but he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Joe Ganz in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska linebacker Tyler Wortman, right, tackles Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing (5) in the first half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. (AP)

Suh lead the defense, which fought mightily all day long and aside from a handful of big plays — as is par for the course this season — they were quite staunch. Zach Potter added 6 tackles — two for loss and 1.5 sacks — along with a forced fumble and an interception. Overall, the defensive line played a heck of a game.

Nebraska started the scoring when Marlon Lucky took a direct snap out of the “joker” formation and after faking the run, he threw the ball to a wide open Mike McNeill for a four-yard touchdown pass.

The lead, however, didn’t last long. Kansas drove the length of the field in 90 seconds to tie things ups. The scoring play was pretty incredible, as Reesing rolled right, he was hit hard by Nebraska cornerback Eric Hagg. However, Reesing only took a step or two back, stayed on his feet, and delivered a short pass to a wide open Kerry Meyer who did the rest by scoring the 28-yard touchdown.

In the second quarter, the Huskers gave up the big play as Reesing hit receiver Dezmon Briscoe on a short slant, and Briscoe did the rest on the way to a 53-yard touchdown.

Nebraska's Chris Brooks receives a pass from quarterback Joe Ganz on his way to scoring a touchdown against Kansas in the first half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. (AP)

This time it was the Husker’s turn to respond quickly, and they did just that by scoring a little over two minutes later on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ganz to junior Chris Brooks Sr. — it was Brooks’ first touchdown at Nebraska.

The Huskers had another chance to score before the half, however, Ganz threw an interception around the 20-yard line and the Jayhawks ran out the clock to end the half tied at 14.

The second half was a completely different tale, as the Huskers came out with more fire and played with more heart.

After causing KU to go three-and-out on their first drive of the half, the Huskers were able to kick a 35-yard field goal to go up 17-14.

The Jayhawks answered well and scored an 11-yard touchdown with 4:32 left in the third quarter to go up 21-17. However, this would be the last lead KU would hold as the Huskers marched down the field and Helu scored his first touchdown of the game with eight seconds left in the quarter to put the Huskers up 24-21.

Helu shared carries in the first half with Lucky and Quentin Castille. However, in the second half Helu was used almost exclusively. It appears as though the Roy Helu Jr. Era has officially began in Lincoln, and Helu appears to be the real deal at running back.

The fourth quarter was completely owned by the Huskers — a trend for the whole season so far — as they score 21 points and played with intensity.

Kansas started the quarter with the ball, but had to punt after going three-and-out. The punt only made it to the Nebraska 48-yard line and set up another Husker touchdown.

On the first play after the punt, Ganz gave the ball to Helu on a zone read and Helu took it 52-yards to the house to put the Huskers up 31-21.

Nebraska's Roy Helu (10) vaults over Kansas' Kyle Winkley (30) with Nebraska's Nate Swift (87) and Kansas' James Holt (12) looking on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. Nebraska defeated Kansas 45-35. (AP)

The Huskers gave up a touchdown drive after that, but came back down had some big runs by Helu and a big catch by Nate Swift — who had 7 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown — and scored on Suh’s 2-yard reception.

The first play from scrimmage for KU after that resulted in Potter’s interception. The Huskers weren’t able to move the ball but were in field goal range. No one expected it, but Husker coach Bo Pelini called for the fake, and Alex Henery received an over the shoulders pitch from holder Jake Wesch and ran 9 yards for the first down. Ganz was able to capitalize with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Swift.

This touchdown put the Huskers up 45-28 and essentially sealed the game. Kansas was able to score on their next drive, and recovered an onside kick. However, after the recovery, the Jayhawks never threatened and turned the ball over on downs — to watch Nebraska run the clock out.

Overall, it was a great game. Very entertaining, and well played by both sides. For Huskers fans, they must be encouraged by the play of the defense — especially the defensive line — and the fact that the offense never seemed to be fazed. With Kansas State and Colorado left on the schedule, it is not out of line to think the Huskers could — and should — finish this season 8-4, which is very tangible progress.