Nebraska dominated and snapped their three-game losing streak with an impressive 35-7 win over the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames Iowa to improve to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 to give Bo Pelini his first league victory as the Huskers’ head coach.
No doubt the Huskers looked their best and most efficient on offense as Joe Ganz led the Huskers amassed 349 yards of total offense in the first half on their way to a 21-0 lead.
Nebraska got it going with Nate Swift’s 19-yard reception from Joe Ganz with 5:27 left in the opening quarter. Swift, finished the day with eight catches for 112 yards to lead the Husker receivers. Swift also became the second player in school history with more than 2,000 receiving yards, finishing the day with 2,021 career yards, trailing only 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers (2,479 yards) on the NU career list.
Ganz enjoyed another big day at the controls of the NU attack. He completed 27-of-37 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown, while leading a balanced arsenal that rolled up 548 yards of total offense, including 220 yards on the ground. NU also dominated the time of possession for the second straight game by controlling the ball for 37:11 on the afternoon.
The NU defense did pretty good as well. Nebraska held ISU to 218 yards of total offense, including 113 through the air and 105 on the ground. Armando Murillo, Cody Glenn and Larry Asante led the Huskers with five tackles each, while Murillo added an 11-yard fumble return and a pass breakup. It was great to see the healthy defense do a little better.
Defensive end Zach Potter added four tackles, including an eight-yard sack and a breakup, while fellow end Clayton Sievers added a sack and forced a fumble for the Huskers.
Marlon Lucky got going with 15 carries for 74 yards with two touchdowns. Quentin Castille added 11 carries for 70 yards, including a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Roy Helu Jr., added six carries for 66 yards, including a career-long 50-yard run on NU’s final drive.
Nebraska returns to Memorial Stadium next Saturday when the Huskers take on Baylor. The Huskers’ game with the Bears is set for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff.
Here are the final game stats from Huskers.com.
