For 3 quarters this game was a dead heat, but key factors were in the works. The ability of NU to consistently get first downs, while KU relied on big play, would make a big difference as the game went on. I thought the teams were pretty even talent wise, but NU deserved to win. Here were the factors...
1) WR blocking. KU has more spectacular / big play type WRs, but man those NU guys blocked well. They would lock their guys up and it caused huge issues. If NU got outside, that blocking was worth 5 extra yards, and that made ball control much easier for NU.
2) Helu, that guy played well. He was always a threat and kept the chains moving. He was used in multiple ways, and that made for a long day for KU, as Nebraska established a better run. THat guy played well and all the talk of him as just a dependable utility guy was not really doing him credit. He may not be the best in the country, but he is pretty darn good.
3) Awesome defensive preperation by NU. No one has taken away our shovel pass for an entire game... until now. Blown up each time. Our option fake into a reverse, obviously that had been seen on fil and remember too. They also knew to key on shap in the option read, as Reesing is elusive but not nearly as fast. Reesing got some yard, but Sharp never got going. THe outside option was well defneded, it could get some yards, but was never to be a big play generator.
Finally, KU made it's big plays, but because NU controlled the clock and KU had too many 3 and outs, the KU defense was on the field too long. I think that is why in the 4th quarter NU was so hard for KU to stop. The defense played on the field too much. NU's stategy worked, and it's defense got enough pressure and improved enough to get the stops they need. KU was not the team they were last year, and NU was better than last year (which I think is more about coaching than players), and that combo was enough to turn the tide in Lincoln. I have been saying that next year KU could win the north, I still think it is true, and I think the game in Lawrence should be fun. Could be for the North title, for that matter. I hope some of you all come on down and enjoy what should be a pretty good game.
Congrats to the Huskers, they won and they played the better game.