The Mirror readily admits that it seems kind of odd to by typing about a 3-0 Nebraska football team in mid-September. And, it’s not that we didn’t expect it you know, we certainly did. It’s just that seeing it happen is actually, well, nice.

And, so the Big Ten season starts just like it should this week. On a crisp Saturday morning at 11:00 AM and about 60 degrees at kickoff. Oh, wait. This Friday thing is going to be interesting. The Mirror is a high school guy at heart.

But, away we go into this Friday night matchup with new, No. 25 Illinois (3-0) which has played just as well early this year under Bret Bilema, who usually brings out the worst in teams with his style of football. This Friday game is a “bigger thing” for Nebraska. A new test in a new Big Ten.

It’s time for the Matt Rhule, his staff and his team to see how they stack up. Let’s see how The Mirror stacks up this week, too, with a little recap from a 34-3 win over Northern Iowa who we hope wins the rest of their football games this fall. That was a great team to watch.

As always, you get The Mirror each week because our friends at South Central Chiropractic in Sutton said you should. Big game for the Mustangs on Friday, too.

A Weird One

When you are playing an FCS opponent — a really good one at that — it’s important they never play with a lead. No need to increase their confidence in a “we have nothing to lose” kind of game.

So, when this one was over and I sent a message to the “group chat” (we all have one) that noted Nebraska had 22 first downs on 48 plays (still wild to me) and that Northern Iowa had 18 first downs on 71 (!!). I just added, “Wild.”

The game, in general, just seemed weird to me.

The Huskers looked like they were playing 11-on-0 in scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. The drives were 8, 7 and 4 plays while covering 75, 75 and 80 yards. I mean, what else should we ask of them?

On the other side, it was Northern Iowa’s ball control that probably seemed most annoying to Husker fans. (Let’s just say this, it’s a FANTASTIC way to play football especially as an underdog.)

The Panthers used safe first down plays to get 3-4 yards and stay in bounds to keep the clock moving. Then, tried to stay in third-and-short or third-and-medium and it seemed like they ALWAYS converted, but, when the game was over it said they were 6-for-16. Maybe the added 2-for-4 on fourth down made it feel different.

At half, Northern Iowa had 32 plays for 126 yards and 21:17 in time of possession. Nebraska was only turned away in the two-minute drill when they missed on 4th-and-3 instead of attempting a 42 yard field goal in the final seconds.

“We had three possessions and we scored on three possessions,” coach Matt Rhule said. “(Northern Iowa) did a great job in that they used up 10 minutes on that first drive. They were literally just sitting in the huddle, looking to the sideline. It was a master class by Coach (Mark) Farley, in how to keep these games how you want to keep them.

“Move the pocket, run the quarterback, they cut us a ton. We have these pass rushers and now all of a sudden they’ve got a fullback cutting them, it was really well done by them.”

After the Blackshirts got a pick on the Panthers opening second half drive, Nebraska added a field goal and UNI was mostly done, punting three times before their last “weird” drive ended in the red zone without any points.

“Not a lot of punt work from (Brian) Buschini,'“ Rhule quipped. Well, he kicked off a few times, coach.

The Standard

I guess we’ll make grading the standard a weekly thing here. See how it goes.

1. Win the turnover battle. Nebraska’s first “even” turnover game for the season, but we keep watching that long Raiola pass to Jaylen Lloyd and it still looks like simultaneous possession to us. At any rate, it ended 15’s night and operated like a long punt. GRADE: B. 

2. Most physical team in football. The box score really tells you how much Nebraska wore out Northern Iowa in the second half. You see it from the Blackshirts in their three straight punts after an opening interception in the thrid quarter. You see it offensively in 6.5 yards per rush on 22 attempts, loving Emmett Johnson’s final touchdown run. Nebraska is going to need a time consuming, stay in bounds, we have the lead offensive drive over in league play. Can they execute it? GRADE: B+.

3. Culture of execution. Isn’t it crazy to critique a game like they where your defense allowed three points and your offense scored on six of eight possessions. Maybe, just maybe, it means you are getting a little bit better. Bigger things; Big Ten things await. GRADE: B.

Yeah, it sure was a weird one in Lincoln on Saturday night. But, it was a good kind of weird. The kind where Nebraska was controlling the football game, not making you pull you hair out by fumbling it away.

That’s a good kind of weird. A good kind of boring. Just like the coach (and The Mirror) like it.

Nebraska has a number in front of their name for two straight weeks. A big, burly opponent awaits. Friday night, for the 400th time in a row, Memorial Stadium will be sold out. Football seems fun again. Remember The Mirror, always free thanks to our sponsor. But, be careful. You might get what you pay for.