11.08.2010 / The Huskers Hold off Iowa State in Overtime. Blog Posting by Mike Babcock, Huskers Illustrated Magazine
Nebraska was favored by as many as 19 points against Iowa State. The Huskers won by only a single point, 31-30, in overtime no less. But coach Bo Pelini was not complaining.
The attempt came on a well-conceived fake, which, for a fleeting instant, appeared as if it would succeed. Iowa State’s Collin Franklin was open, but the pass by Daniel Kuehl, in the game ostensibly to hold for an extra-point kick to tie the score and set up another overtime sequence, sailed.
With the Nebraska sideline yelling “fake,” Hagg picked off the pass. The victory, coupled with a Missouri loss at Texas Tech, gave the Huskers control of the Big 12’s North Division. They would have to lose two of their remaining three games, if Missouri were to win out, to not return to the Big 12 Championship game at Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 4.
Sophomore Cody Green stepped in for Martinez, who wasn’t fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered late in the first half against Missouri. The start was the third of Green’s career, and the first this season. Though Pelini indicated throughout the week that whether or not Martinez played would be a game-time decision, Green said he was told “earlier in the week” he might start.
When exactly? “Tuesday or Wednesday, somewhere around there,” said Green. The Huskers also spent time working on their Wildcat formation to compensate for the absence of Martinez, with running back Rex Burkhead taking direct snaps from center.
Burkhead was the game’s leading rusher, with a career-high 129 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The sophomore from Plano, Texas, “is a man-child,” Green said. Burkhead’s second touchdown came on a 19-yard run in overtime, and Alex Henery’s extra-point kick made the score 31-24. Iowa State responded with a 9-yard touchdown pass to set up the final drama.
“I don’t care if you win 101-100. In the end, you have to win the football game,” said Pelini. “You find a way.” Which is what Nebraska did.
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What did you think of the Huskers game this past weekend against Iowa State? Any predictions on who will win the Big 12 South- Oklahoma or Oklahoma State? Come on Husker fans, post your comments NOW!
