The South Dakota State football team walked off the field as victors on Saturday.
At least it seemed that way based on the post-game ovation the players received from the SDSU fans who made the trip to Lincoln.
But in reality, it was the No. 6 Cornhuskers who escaped with a 17-3 victory, moving to 4-0 on the season.
"They out-hit us," coach Bo Pelini said. "They flew around with more passion than we did. For us to walk out of our stadium after playing like that, I'm embarrassed."
After putting on an offensive clinic against Washington last weekend, it didn't take long for Nebraska's nagging offensive miscues to resurface. On NU's first offensive snap, quarterback Taylor Martinez fumbled, giving the ball back to the Jackrabbits at the Nebraska 24-yard line.
SDSU was able to bring the ball to the Nebraska one-yard line, but on a fourth and goal play, the Jackrabbits were stuffed by NU linebacker Alonzo Whaley.
"Every play during the game is important," Whaley said. "I never really thought that it would make a difference. When you step out, you have to play for your team, and that's what I was trying to do. I wanted to be that guy that makes plays."
While the Husker offense wasn't able to find a rhythm throughout the game, it did put together an impressive drive at the end of the first quarter. The six-play, 96-yard drive was highlighted by a 64-yard pass from Martinez to receiver Mike McNeill. Rex Burkhead scored from three yards out on the next play.
"We just have to concentrate on the little details and finish drives," Burkhead said. "I think that's the biggest thing. Not just go out and start off or have a few plays here and there, but really finish."
Nebraska's second and final touchdown on the day came on its next drive. Martinez found a wide open Kyler Reed on a broken play for a 33-yard score.
But on a day when Nebraska's victory marked the first time it started 4-0 since 2005, it was the mistakes that stood out.
Martinez completed only six of his 14 passing attempts. He gained only 75 yards on the ground — far below his 140.3 yard average coming into the game. His two interceptions were thrown almost directly at SDSU defenders, and Martinez was benched in favor of Cody Green in the fourth quarter.
"He made bad decisions; he didn't execute," Pelini said of Martinez. "He didn't execute the offense the way he has been. Why? I don't know. He is a young guy who didn't respond very well. He didn't have a very good day."
On the opposite sideline, though, was a team that played with nothing to lose.
SDSU gave Nebraska fits on both sides of the ball. The Jackrabbits held Martinez to 5.8 yards a carry and didn't allow him to break a big run like he'd done in previous games. Running back Kyle Minett gained 112 yards on the ground with a physical running attack.
Even with the odds stacked against them, the Jackrabbits put pressure on the Huskers.
"I've never in my career gone into a game not thinking we didn't have an opportunity to win," Minett said. "And I approached this game the same way. But we just didn't catch any breaks, and that happens. You can always look back at the what-ifs, but the fact of the matter is that we lost."
On paper, Nebraska vs. an 0-2 FCS team looked like it could be a laugher. But when it was all said and done, Nebraska fans were just happy to be leaving the stadium with a sigh of relief.
"At times, we've played some FCS teams that were really tough, and if they came in here they probably wouldn't win," Minett said. "Nebraska was definitely a good football team but, in our eyes, they were beatable."
dougburger@dailynebraskan.com
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