Check out Tom Shatel’s three takeaways after Nebraska football’s loss to No. 21 Michigan.
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1. Nebraska’s offensive line woes
I went into this one thinking Nebraska was as good as Michigan on the offensive line. That was not the case.
Michigan’s defensive line collapsed the pocket time and again on Dylan Raiola, and NU’s tackles struggled. But Raiola needed to be quicker getting rid of the ball or escaping the pocket.
I think this can be a better offensive line this season. But not against a program like Michigan.
And while the Huskers had some success running at times, they weren’t going anywhere up the gut.
That doesn’t mean NU can’t handle other defensive lines on the schedule. But this was a wake-up call. They aren’t there yet.
2. Take the early field goal
I thought in general Matt Rhule called a good game, and his clock management certainly looked good at the end of the first half compared to whatever Michigan was doing.
But take the field goal early.
If Rhule takes the field goal instead of going for fourth down on the first drive, this game ends in a tie.
If Kyle Cunanan connects on a 44-yard attempt later in the first quarter, well, add six points to NU’s score and see what happens. It was that close. And NU is still not there in a close game of this stature.
3. Jacory Barney, Luke Lindenmeyer lead Husker offense
These are the kinds of games where playmakers step up and identify themselves. Jacory Barney did just that.
Luke Lindenmeyer also stepped up as a factor at tight end.
Nebraska fell a few plays short, but it wasn’t for lack of Barney or Lindenmeyer.
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Tom Shatel
Sports columnist
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