Nebraska edges Rutgers 14-7 to near bowl eligibility

On Saturday, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Cornhuskers secured a narrow 14-7 victory over Rutgers, moving closer to bowl eligibility. The game featured strong defensive performances, highlighted by four sacks of Rutgers quarterback Kaliakmanis and limiting the Scarlet Knights to just 264 total yards. Nebraska's defense held firm during critical moments, including a goal-line stand that prevented Rutgers from scoring despite their advantageous field position. However, Nebraska's offense struggled, particularly in the second half, where quarterback Dylan Raiola completed only 2 of 9 passes for 14 yards. The run game also faltered, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry, largely due to the pressure from Rutgers' defense. Nebraska's punter, Brian Buschini, faced challenges early in the game but managed to recover, contributing a key 30-yard pass in the fourth quarter. The victory leaves Nebraska with concerns about their offensive performance as they head into an open date before facing a ranked opponent. Meanwhile, Rutgers will need to reassess their strategy, particularly their reliance on the run game, which they abandoned too early despite initial success.