You're over-thinking it.
Most defenses line up to stop the run on a first and goal because a rushing play is the statistical probability.
Making a quick roll-out with multiple receivers and the option for the quarterback to tuck and run a perfectly reasonable call.
Even if unsuccessful, it might loosen things up for the running play on second down.
The call wasn't cute. It wasn't gimmicky. It was just football.
And our quarterback made a terrible decision.
The same quarterback went on to make several successful completions with a higher degree of difficulty.
If a coach is supposed to scale the game back so far that Tommy Armstrong can't possibly make a stupid play, then Tommy simply shouldn't be playing.
But it would be pretty weird to bench the most prolific offensive player in Nebraska football history.
That's kind of what Riley said in the post game. He wasn't talking about Tommy, but it's the same idea....if you're gonna make some bone-headed penalty or play every time you're in the clutch then you'll probably be watching.
I'd still run.