Rule, Colandrea Lead Huskers Past Bobcats

(Lincoln, NE) — Jamal Rule erupted for more than 100 rushing yards in the second half, helping Nebraska explode for 35 points after halftime in a 49-21 victory over Ohio on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Rule finished with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, but his biggest impact came after halftime. The freshman rushed for 106 yards on just eight second-half carries, capped by an 11-yard touchdown run that gave the Huskers a 42-21 lead with 5:57 remaining.

Rule opened that scoring drive with a 39-yard burst as Nebraska piled up 183 rushing yards in the second half against the Bobcats.

He also caught two passes, including a spectacular 24-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, giving the Salisbury, N.C., native 169 all-purpose yards on 17 touches in his Nebraska debut.

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea was equally impressive in his first game as a Husker. The senior from St. Petersburg, Fla., completed 18 of 32 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He added 23 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, finishing with 298 yards of total offense and four total scores.

Colandrea directed an offense that committed no turnovers and scored touchdowns on each of its final five drives. Nebraska finished with 523 total yards, including 275 through the air and 248 on the ground.

The performance delighted the NCAA-record 411th consecutive sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium on a scorching afternoon and gave Nebraska its 100th season-opening victory.

While Rule and Colandrea led the way, several other Huskers delivered standout performances.

Junior running back Mekhi Nelson rushed 10 times for 64 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 65 yards. His 51-yard touchdown reception was the highlight of a 129-yard, two-touchdown performance, the best game of his Nebraska career.

Jacory Barney Jr. continued his strong play from a year ago, catching five passes for 60 yards and adding an 8-yard run. He also contributed to a clean performance in Nebraska’s punt-return game.

Kwazi Gilmer added five receptions for 58 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown catch on Nebraska’s final offensive play.

Defensively, Rex Guthrie ended any hopes of a late Ohio comeback with a fourth-quarter interception that set up Nebraska’s final touchdown. He also recorded five tackles.

Jamir Conn led the Blackshirts with eight tackles and added a pass breakup. Nebraska’s defense recorded eight pass breakups overall, including two each from Donovan Jones and Victor Evans III.

Nebraska controlled the second half from start to finish, outgaining Ohio 300-115 and outscoring the Bobcats 35-7.

That dominant second half followed an entertaining opening 30 minutes that saw Nebraska take a 14-13 lead into the locker room behind two touchdowns from Rule.

Ohio struck first with a quick touchdown to take a 7-0 lead, but Nebraska responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive. Rule finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

The Bobcats answered with two drives that ended in field goals of more than 40 yards by Will Hryszko, taking a 13-7 lead with 10:38 left in the half.

Nebraska responded again. Colandrea led a seven-play, 92-yard drive that ended when Rule caught a short pass and raced 24 yards for a touchdown, putting the Huskers ahead 14-13 with 8:13 remaining.

Both teams threatened to score before halftime, but neither could capitalize.

Colandrea completed 10 of 19 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in the first half while adding five carries for five yards. Nebraska produced 223 yards of offense, including 65 rushing.

Ohio finished the half with 188 yards. Quarterback Nick Poulos completed 10 of 19 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 38 yards on six carries. The Bobcats totaled 64 rushing yards on 16 attempts.

Nebraska’s offense stumbled to open the second half. The first two plays resulted in 21 yards in losses, and a three-and-out gave Ohio possession near midfield with an opportunity to reclaim the lead.

The Blackshirts answered with a crucial defensive stand.

Colandrea then guided an 11-play, 73-yard drive, finishing it himself with a 13-yard touchdown run to push Nebraska’s advantage to 21-13.

After another defensive stop, the Huskers drove 69 yards on eight plays. Nelson finished the possession with a 29-yard touchdown run, sending Nebraska into the fourth quarter with a 28-13 lead.

Ohio refused to go away. Poulos directed a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with his 1-yard touchdown run. He followed with a successful two-point conversion pass, cutting Nebraska’s lead to 28-21 just three minutes into the fourth quarter.

From there, however, the game belonged to the Huskers.

Nelson took a short pass from Colandrea and burst 51 yards through the middle of the Ohio defense for a touchdown, restoring Nebraska’s two-score advantage.

Another quick defensive stop set up Rule’s second rushing touchdown of the day, his 11-yard run making it 42-21 with less than six minutes remaining.

Guthrie’s interception then gave Nebraska a short field, allowing Colandrea to cap the scoring with a touchdown pass to Gilmer.

Nebraska will return to action next Saturday when the Huskers host Bowling Green at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, with the game televised live on FS1.