By James Stevenson
Offensive MVP: Junior I-Back Rex Burkhead was hobbled last week and didn’t look like himself. He was back this week with an explosive burst that made you wonder if he’s always been that fast, or if Penn State is just that slow.
Burkhead paced the Huskers, rushing 25 times for 121 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He also lined up for several direct snaps, and had two plays where he looked to throw the ball as well.
Defensive MVP: Junior linebacker Will Compton has really started to perform the way many Husker fans imagined he would when he was a highly-recruited prep star. Compton led the Blackshirts with 13 total tackles, including one critical tackle for a loss on Penn State’s final drive that kept the clock running.
Special Teams MVP: Junior punter Brett Maher was a huge difference-maker. His late-game 61-yard bomb flipped the field on Penn State, and took some of the pressure off the Blackshirts as they attempted to defend a slim three point advantage. He averaged 45 yards on eight punts, including five downed inside the 20-yard line. His 41-yard field goal proved to be the difference.
Penn State MVP: Senior running back Stephon Green made the most of Senior Day. His 17 carries for 71 yards led the Nittany Lions and he scored both of Penn State’s touchdowns. In some ways, it was a little surprising that Penn State didn’t rely on their running game more on a day where senior quarterback Matt McGloin completed only 16 of 34 passes.
Throwback Award - Sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez executed the offense like a veteran, but his third quarter option play was a flashback to the great Nebraska option quarterbacks of the 1990s. Taking the ball on the option to the right side, Martinez was wrapped up, but he spotted Rex Burkhead coming free as he was being tackled.
A death-defying pitch was caught by Burkhead, and taken to the end zone to give Nebraska a three score lead. Martinez managed the game well, completing 13 of 16 passes for 143 yards, and rushing 19 times for 63 yards. His numbers would’ve been even better had Nebraska's receivers been able to hang onto the ball.
Premature Whistle Award - A fourth quarter turnover on a handoff from Rex Burkhead to fullback Tyler Legate nearly doomed the Huskers. Despite the officials whistling the play dead and signaling possession in favor of Penn State, the Nittany Lions never recovered the fumble.
Nebraska’s senior offensive tackle Jermarcus ‘Yoshi’ Hardrick dove on the ball, and head coach Bo Pelini tried to challenge the play. The officials said the play wasn’t reviewable, and the Nittany Lions received a much needed boost of momentum. They scored on the ensuing drive, closing the gap to three points.
She May Not Look Like Much Award - In some ways, it was sort of an ugly win for Nebraska. The drama leading into this weekend's game made it a no-win situation.
If the Huskers won, it would be under the cloud of the firing of Joe Paterno. Nebraska lost the yardage battle 375-331, only converted six of 16 third down conversions, and held the ball for under 30 minutes.
In the end, the Huskers pulled out a relatively complete team win. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead managed the game well enough, and put points up against one of the Big Ten’s best defenses. The Blackshirts did their job, getting huge stops late with the game on the line.
Most importantly, the Huskers got a win on the road against the Leaders Division’s frontrunner and the only remaining team undefeated in Big Ten conference play. All in all, a pretty solid day, but a performance Nebraska will need to improve on before they travel to face Michigan in the Big House next week.
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