LINCOLN, Neb. -- After four straight losses, Northwestern traveled west to play Nebraska. At the half, Northwestern leads 21-14.
- Nebraska is without starting quarterback Taylor Martinez today due to a hip injury (he's actually sitting in the press box). But quarterback Tommy Armstrong led the Cornhuskers down the field on their opening drive for a touchdown, going 76 yards in under three minutes. Nebraska started quickly, knifing through the Northwestern defense. It was a similar start to the one Northwestern had against Iowa last week, where Iowa dominated the opening drive. But on the subsequent drives, Northwestern's defense looked stout.
- Kain Colter had one of his best runs this season, as he made a multitude of defenders miss in a small space. Although he admitted that he is not close to 100 percent healthy right now, it was hard to tell on that play. That first down pickup led to a Northwestern touchdown to tie the game at 7.
- Northwestern entered this week with only Treyvon Green and Stephen Buckley healthy at tailback. In the second quarter, Buckley was carted off the field with a serious left leg injury. After missing last week with an injury, Green would be relied on heavily to provide a rushing attack for Northwestern's offense. He responded with three touchdowns and 92 yards in the first half.
- Chi Chi Ariguzo recorded his second interception in as many weeks when he picked off a pass early in the second quarter. On that drive, Nebraska brought Ron Kellogg III in for Armstrong. While celebrating the interception on the sideline, Pat Fitzgerald momentarily lost his headset. Earlier in the season, Northwestern relied a lot on the defense's ability to create turnovers, so Ariguzo's early interception (upon which Northwestern capitalized with a touchdown) provided a major lift.
- After Kellogg threw the interception, Armstrong returned to the game, leading Nebraska to another touchdown drive. Late in that drive, Northwestern's Nick VanHoose had to leave the game with what appeared to be a concussion or concussion-like symptoms. Dwight White replaced him at cornerback, opposite freshman Matt Harris. The next play, Armstrong found a wide-open Quincy Enunwa in the end zone for his first passing touchdown of the day. Armstrong finished the half with 124 passing yards, completing 10 of 14 passes. He also led Nebraska with 52 rushing yards.
- Trevor Siemian didn't play a snap in the first half last week, but saw some more time early against Nebraska. Siemian had a nice 28-yard throw to Dan Vitale that led to Northwestern's third touchdown.