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Vince Kuppig
vkuppig@hastingstribune.com
BOULDER, Colo. — Bo Pelini wasn't happy.
Nebraska had just been outgained by Colorado 403-217, totaling less yards than Colorado in all four quarters. The Huskers had just allowed Colorado to score 20 points, the most points scored on Nebraska in the past six games.
But the Huskers did enough to win 28-20 Friday at Folsom Field, avoiding a letdown before next week's showdown with Texas in the Big 12 championship game.
"We didn't play our best football," NU's head coach said following the Huskers' win. "I disappointed in our effort and how we played. I'm happy we won the football game. Anytime you win on the road that's great. But I don't like the way our football team played in any phase of the game.
"I don't think we played good football from start to finish. I don't like the way we played."
With the win, Nebraska ended the regular season 9-3 and 6-2 in the Big 12 — going a perfect 4-0 in conference road games. Colorado ended the year 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12.
"A win is a win," NU senior safety Larry Asante said. "We're not happy how we won the game, but a win is a win."
Up next is Texas on Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas.
"9-3 is great," Pelini said. "What I'm concerned with is getting better as a football team this week and getting ready for Texas. We've got to play better than we played today."
Pelini called Friday's game "one of our worst efforts of the season," saying he thought the Huskers took a step back.
"Yeah, it's a win. That's great," he said. "Trust me. Believe me. I take the wins anytime we can get them, but I know we can play a lot better than what we just played."
Friday's game was in doubt until the Huskers went on a 13-play, 80-yard drive that started with 13:35 left in the game and ended nearly seven minutes later with a 7-yard touchdown run by Rex Burkhead.
"That was a huge drive for us," Pelini said. "That was a big drive. Our kids really got after it in that drive. I thought we played good physical football. That was a statement drive for us."
Burkhead, NU's No. 2 running back behind Roy Helu Jr., ran nine times for 55 yards on that drive and finished the game with a career-high 100 yards on 18 carries. His previous career high was 39 yards.
"It felt great," Burkhead said. "When the offensive line is doing a tremendous job up front and you're seeing the holes better, it feels really good."
Said Pelini: "I think Rex Burkhead played outstanding football. He ran hard and tough. That is who he is. I'm proud of him. He played his tail off."
But outside of Burkhead, Nebraska's offense sputtered at times Friday. Quarterback Zac Lee was an efficient 9-of-14 with no interceptions and a touchdowns, but he threw for just 73 yards. Helu was held to 54 yards on 14 carries, an average of just 3.9 yards.
But the Husker defense came up with some big plays, including a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Matt O'Hanlon, and Nebraska got a special teams touchdown on a 59-yard punt return by Niles Paul.
"Great effort by him," Pelini said of Paul's punt return. "That was just an individual guy making a play."
The Huskers had just 89 total yards in the first half but led 21-7 thanks to the defensive touchdown and punt return. Colorado's average starting position was its own 15 in the first half, while the Huskers' starting position was the 39.
The Buffs had a good chance to tie the game or at least get closer when Helu fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving CU the ball at midfield with Nebraska leading 21-14.
But the Buffs missed a 37-yard field goal, the second missed field goal of the second half by Colorado.
That set up the drive of the game for the Huskers, who had only 134 total yards before going on that 80-yard drive.
"We just went out there and said we've got to run the ball," NU senior center Jacob Hickman said. "And we went out there and did it.
"As players and coaches, we wanted to run a little inside zone. (The coaches) really let us do that on that last drive. That's where we had some success."
Colorado scored a touchdown on the last play of the game to make the final margin 28-20.
Lee injured his ankle with 13:35 left in the third quarter on an option in which Lee went the opposite way of his running back. Cody Green finished that series quarterback, but Lee came back the following series and played the rest of the game.
Lee, who was walking with a noticeable limp after the game, said he was fine.
Now the attention goes to unbeaten Texas, which will play for a national championship if it beats Nebraska.
"It's going to take a tremendous effort," Burkhead said.
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