Nebraska football: Close games against Northwestern

David Schumacher November 7, 2020 12:22 pm

Nebraska joined the Big Ten conference in 2011. Since then one commonality between Nebraska football and Northwestern has been close games between the schools. The matchups of the past three seasons have been especially close with each game being decided by the final play or overtime.

We look back at a few of the Cornhuskers closest matchups against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Nov. 4, 2017: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 24

The Wildcats came to Lincoln sitting with a 5-3 record, riding two-consecutive overtime wins against Iowa, and No. 15 Michigan State. After being tied 14-14 at the half, Nebraska got things going with a quick 50-yard pick-six by Marcus Newby that put the Huskers up 21-17. Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson tied the game with 5:32 remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 24. The young quarterback came in clutch yet again with a one-yard touchdown run in overtime. Linebacker Kyle Quiero secured the win for the Wildcats when he broke up a fourth-down pass during Nebraska’s’ possession. Winning this game secured Northwestern an NCAA record three consecutive OT wins.

Nov. 2, 2013: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24

One of the most iconic moments in recent Nebraska football history, this classic came down to the wire as the two teams were tied up at 21 apiece. The Huskers took the ball over on their own 18-yard line, there was only 2:25 remaining. Tommy Armstrong threw an interception four plays later to Northwestern linebacker Tyler Scott, who returned it to the Husker 7-yard line. It was Armstrong’s third interception in his last eight attempts. The Husker line held its ground only giving up a field goal to the Wildcats giving them the lead 24-21.

Nebraska got the ball back with only 1:17 remaining on the clock. Ameer Abdullah put the game on his shoulders on fourth-and-15 when he stumbled to the first down marker with four seconds remaining. The ball was at the Northwestern 49. Husker quarterback Ron Kellog lll dropped back and launched a deep ball. The pass was tipped into the air and caught at the goal line by Jordan Westerkamp.

Oct. 20, 2012: Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28

Nebraska was down 28-16 with 8:31 to play in the game. Nebraska then went on a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, to get within a score. The Huskers then forced a three-and-out and got the ball back with 4:10 left in the ball game. Nebraska quickly marched down the field in a six-play drive finding the end zone to put it up 29-28. After a missed two-point conversion attempt, Northwestern got the ball back.

The Wildcats marched down the field and missed a field goal attempt with 1:10 remaining. The Huskers scored a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game to complete the fourth-largest comeback in Nebraska football history.

Oct. 13, 2018: Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31

The Wildcats trailed 31-21 with 2:21 remaining in regulation. After a field goal pulled them within the seven, Northwestern got the ball back holding Nebraska to a three-and-out. Northwestern then drove 99-yards in eight plays to score a game-tying touchdown. On Nebraska’s first overtime possession, Adrian Martinez slung an interception to JR Pace. Northwestern won the game on a 37-yard field goal by Drew Luckenbaugh.

Oct. 15, 2019: Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10

Nebraska football was barely able to sneak out a victory when the Wildcats came to Lincoln in 2019. Northwestern had tied the game up 10-10 with 11:20 to play in the third quarter. As Northwestern drove into Nebraska territory late in the fourth quarter, Lamar Jackson intercepted a pass by Aidan Smith. With a little help from Wandale Robinson, Nebraska drove 42 yards to set up a walk-off field goal by walk-on Lane McCallum.

Photo by The Daily Nebraskan