Turnovers changed momentum in Nebraska win over Iowa State

Austin Cassidy hadn't scored a touchdown since he was a senior in high school — when he was a quarterback.

But with just under nine minutes left in the third quarter, Cassidy jumped in front of an Austen Arnaud pass for an interception. The junior safety darted right and found open space near the sideline. A couple of blocks later, Cassidy was in the end zone, raising his arms in the air to celebrate the 29-yard score.

"I was pretty excited about that," Cassidy said. "It's been a while."

Nebraska regained the game's swinging momentum and the lead, 17-10.

NU defensive back Eric Hagg intercepted an Arnaud pass on ISU's next possession. The Cornhuskers turned the Cyclones' third turnover into seven points to take a commanding 14-point lead.

"Defensively, it's huge to get takeaways," Cassidy said. "That's one of the things we like to focus on. Today was a day that was pretty much about momentum."

But the Huskers couldn't land a final knockout blow. The Cyclones, who had forced 19 turnovers entering the game and committed just 11, were poised to take the bout the distance.

"There's no quit in this team," ISU running back Alexander Robinson said. "We're going to keep fighting until the clock says zero, zero."

Iowa State answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by an Arnaud quarterback sneak with 11:29 left in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, the Cyclone faithful were back in full force.

That's when the turnover game took a turn in ISU's favor.

NU kick returner Niles Paul fumbled on the return, and the Cyclones recovered. The game was tied at 24 three plays later.

"From a momentum standpoint, we controlled the rest of regulation," ISU coach Paul Rhoads said.

The Iowa State crowd was its loudest after Husker quarterback Cody Green was stopped for no gain on third and five to force a three-and-out on NU's next possession. With the majority of 51,159 fans behind them, the Cyclones looked to pull off the upset.

"Players make mistakes, and he made one," NU defensive back DeJon Gomes said about Paul's fumble. "He knows, or I hope that he knows, that we as a defense and the rest of the team have his back."

Gomes and the NU defense held the ISU offense off the scoreboard to send the game into overtime where the Huskers prevailed, 31-30.

"To calm down and execute from that point on defensively, to get off the field three different times and offensively to take care of the football was extremely important," NU defensive ends coach John Papuchis said.

Nebraska scored 21 points off three Cyclone turnovers. The Huskers hadn't scored any points off a turnover since their Sept. 18 game at Washington. Coming into the game, ISU had allowed only one touchdown off its 11 giveaways.

"Turnovers are huge, no matter what — even if the offense is rolling up 800 yards and scoring 100 points," Cassidy said. "It's good for the offensive guys to see that. They get jacked. The defense gets jacked."

Cassidy's interception jump started the Huskers and put them in position to roll to as easy victory. But a turnover of their own almost cost them the game.

"It's one of those games where you just have to gut it up, hold on to your butt and find a way to pull it out," NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. "And to have a great season, you're always going to have games like this. In the great seasons, you win them. And in the not so great seasons, you find a way to lose them."

dougburger@dailynebraskan.com