TICKER
6 – The combined margin of loss in A&M’s three defeats this season.
5,195 – Senior quarterback Zac Taylor’s career passing yardage, a new Nebraska record.
72 – The total yards NU gained on eight drives before its game-winning touchdown.
2 – The number of rushing touchdowns by sophomore I-back Cody Glenn on Saturday, after notching just five carries in the Huskers’ last three games.
Running Game – Sell.
Just when we write the praises of junior I-back Brandon Jackson, he falls into a black hole. Jackson rushed just three times for nine yards in the second half, as most of the late-game carries went to sophomore I-back Marlon Lucky. Not a bad second option, but the Huskers rushed for just 37 yards after halftime when the Aggies made some defensive line adjustments.
Passing Game – Buy.
Senior quarterback Zac Taylor became NU’s all-time leading passer Saturday and threw two touchdowns, giving him the school’s single-season mark. But Taylor was hardly his sharpest, holding the ball too long and taking four sacks in the second half. If not for the clutch, game-winning drive, this would be remembered as one of Taylor’s poorer contests.
Defense – Sell.
Once again, the Blackshirts have no answer for a quarterback with some mobility. Stephen McGee exploited the defense on the option and usually found a way to pull out a big play. It is only through what we feel is extreme benevolence that some ridiculously poor tackling efforts aren’t specified here. If you watched the game, you know whom we’re talking about.
Game plan – Slight loss.
It’s hard to plan for a versatile running attack like A&M’s, but any time you give up the amount of drive-extending plays on third-and-long, some scheme needs to be questioned. And why is it Nebraska seems like it cannot adjust to other teams’ adjustments in the running game? The Aggies did a good job taking away NU’s power attack; NU had no answer. To their credit, the Huskers did a good job trying to get junior wide receiver Maurice Purify some touches early, but some drops probably made them a little hesitant until the final drive.
TODD PETERSON — SOPHOMORE WIDE RECEIVER
After sophomore Nate Swift went out with an injury, Peterson came in and shouldered a big load. The Grande Island native caused some trouble for Texas A&M, notching a game-high seven receptions for 82 yards. Not only did the 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pounder catch a 4-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to give Nebraska a 21-7 lead, but he also had catches of 22 and 13 yards, respectively, on the game-winning drive.
-Ben Gouldsmith
Zac Taylor — SENIOR QUARTERBACK
The Norman, Okla., native spurred the Cornhuskers to victory in record-setting fashion Saturday, setting new school marks for touchdowns in a season (22) and passing yards for a career (5,193). On Nebraska’s final drive, Taylor’s fade pass to junior wide receiver Maurice Purify with 21 seconds left guaranteed the Huskers’ Big 12 North Division title for the first time since 1999.
-Evan Bland
Barry Turner —SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE END
Not only did Turner combine on two sacks of A&M QB Stephen McGee, his blocked field goal with two minutes left in the game set up the Cornhuskers’ game-winning drive. Two of the Antioch, Tenn., native’s three tackles went for losses.
-Jeff Sheldon
