Nebraska Turnovers, Injuries Pave the Way for Minnesota Win

At first, the Big 10 matchup between the No. 23 Nebraska Cornhuskers and the No. 25 Minnesota Golden Gophers seemed like it would be a back-and-forth battle. First Nebraska scored, then Minnesota, then Nebraska again.

However, the Cornhuskers’ 14-point lead entering the second half didn’t last. A costly Nebraska fumble towards the end of the fourth quarter set Minnesota up to run the clock down and win the game, 28-24. Leading up to Nebraska’s implosion was the loss of wide receivers Kenny Bell and Alonzo Moore to injuries during the game. Between the lack of depth down the field and inability to hold on to the ball, Minnesota came out as the better team.

During the first half, Nebraska used its defense to hold Minnesota to minimal points while using both its passing and rushing game to take a seven-point lead. A beautiful block on a Minnesota field-goal attempt allowed Nebraska’s Nate Gerry to return the ball for an 85-yard touchdown. It seemed that the Cornhuskers had the game under control and that they would be going to the Big 10 Championship. However, Bell and Moore’s absence on the field was soon felt.

As stellar of a running back as Ameer Abdullah is, he couldn’t be the only player rushing for touchdowns. Soon, the Golden Gophers began whittling the offense down. During the entire second half, Nebraska’s only score was a field goal.

Minnesota then began pushing its offense. A touchdown in the third quarter put the Golden Gophers just a field goal behind the Cornhuskers. A steady and consistent drive late in the fourth quarter allowed Minnesota to score, putting it four points up. With more than three minutes left, Nebraska had the chance to drive the ball down the field and clinch the win. A controversial turnover call handed the ball back to Minnesota with less than a minute and a half left at their two-yard line, allowing the Golden Gophers to control the clock and punch their ticket to their conference championship game.

A tired offense, injured players and a turnover ended up bogging the Cornhuskers down. Nebraska’s normally formidable players ran into a series of unfortunate events, clearing the path for a close Minnesota victory.

Gabrielle McMillen is an SEC College Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @GabbyMcMillen, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google