Buffs cap late-game fireworks with 34-31 win over Huskers

(WOWT)
Published: Sep. 6, 2019 at 4:35 PM CDT
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Following a hard-fought, season-opener victory at home against South Alabama last week, the Huskers fell to Colorado Saturday after late-game fireworks that ended with a 34-31 Buffaloes win.

Coach Scott Frost called it, "one of the hardest losses," he's had.

In the post-game news conference Frost said, "We made some bad mistakes again out there, um, particulary in the second half."

He said the Huskers still have a young offense, "but that's not an excuse," and he said they need to find, "more of a running game."

Husker Nation made the trip to Boulder. About 20,000 Big Red Fans were at Folsom Field, for Nebraska's first appearance at Colorado in ten years and it made an impact.

What a difference a week makes for the Nebraska offense.

The Huskers came out with an impressive first half at Folsom Field. Quarterback Adrian Martinez was impressive, after struggling in the season opener. Martinez was a perfect 9-9 passing for 180 yards in the first half. The Husker sophomore started out with a 65-yard touchdown pass to J.D. Spielman to give Nebraska a 7-0 lead.

Martinez engineered a spectacular 95-yard drive in 15 plays in the second quarter. Martinez scrambled for a 5-yard touchdown to give Nebraska a 14-0 lead.

The Husker Blackshirts came up with a big play in the second quarter. Lamar Jackson intercepted a pass with 5:47 left. The turnover set up a 26-yard field goal by Isaac Armstrong to give Nebraska a 17-0 lead at halftime. Placekicker Barret Pickering is still nursing a hip-flexer and did not play for the second week in a row.

Colorado did not give up. The Buffs drove 64 yards in 8 plays and scored on a Jaren Mangham 11 yard run. The Buffs still trailed 17-7.

The 4th quarter started with two big plays. Colorado scored on a Steven Montez pass to Nixon for 96 yard TD. Nebraska still led 17-14.

But the Huskers answer on a 75 yard touchdown pass from Martinez to Washington. Nebraska took a 24-14 lead with 14:09 left in the game.

Colorado came right back. Mangham scored on a 7-yard run. Nebraska still led 24-21 with 12 minutes left. The Buffs added a field goal to tie the game up at 24 all.

But Nebraska came up with a critical 75 yard drive in 8 plays. Martinez scored a five yard run up the middle on 4th down to give Nebraska the lead 31-24 with under six minutes left in the game.

The Huskers return home next Saturday, when they host Northern Illinois at 7:00pm at Memorial Stadium.

Following a hard-fought, season-opener

, the Huskers first away game is set for Saturday afternoon as Nebraska prepares to face the Colorado Buffaloes.

KICKOFF:

2:30 p.m.

WHERE TO WATCH:

The game is being televised on Fox and broadcast on the Husker Radio Network.

PREVIEW:

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LIVEBLOG: Get real-time updates below as the game unfolds.

Hello from Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado! This is Sports Director Ross Jernstrom in the press box. We are 50 minutes away from kickoff. Sunny skies and temperatures around 79 degrees. Great day for a college football game!

Ralphie has just run around the field and here come the Huskers!

Colorado won coin flip. Huskers will kickoff to Buffs.

CU called for pass interference takes ball back to 15 yard line. 3rd and 25. Penalty on Nebraska--personal foul. 1st and 10. Huskers are too excited on defense. Remember that play.

Colorado first down at 44.Holding penalty on Buffs.Ball at 43. Drives ends at 42 of Nebraska. Husker ball at 4 yard line.

Colorado spent 7:18 on their opening possession--ball control the key for Buffs.

Mauriice Washington catches a pass and runs on first two plays of drive.

Martinez with nice scramble to 33.

Martinez with a 64 yard touchdown pass to JD. Spielman. Nebraska leads 7-0 6:02 left in 1Q.

NEBRASKA 7 COLORADO 0

Colorado starts at 25 yard line. 3rd down pass under review. Receiver went out of bounds. 1st down for CU at 38. Punt to 19 of NU.

Martinez to a wide open Washington for 26 yards to the 39 of CU. Fumble by Huskers. First turnover at :27 of 1Q.

END OF 1ST QUARTER: NEBRASKA 7 COLORADO 0

Huskers start drive at 5 yard line. 4th down at 25. CU called for running into the kicker. 1st down for NU. Big pass to Wan'Dale Robinson.Pass to Spielman for 21 yards.

Martinez great keeper down to 3 yard line.15 yard run. Perfect call on third down. Martinez five yard scramble for touchdown. 95 yard drive in 15 plays. Nebraska takes 14-0 lead with 6:37 left in 2Q.

NEBRASKA 14 COLORADO 0

BIG PLAY BY BLACKSHIRTS! Lamar Jackson comes up with interception at 43 of CU.

Martinez works his way downfield with pass to Washington to 15.

Isaac Armstrong comes in and kicks 26-yard field goal. Barret Pickering still has a hip-flexer. Nebraska leads 17-0 with 2:47 left in 2Q.

NEBRASKA 17 COLORADO 0

CU takes over at 20 yard line. Lets see Steven Montez and his two-minute offense. Montez gets a pair of first downs to 47 of Nebraska. :45 left.

Huskers call time out.

Good pressure by Nebraska's Alex Davis. Buffs face 3rd and 9 at 46. Incomplete pass. 4th down--Buffs will go for it with :22 left. Now they decide to punt.

HALFTIME: NEBRASKA 17 COLORADO 0

Martinez was a perfect 9-9 for 180 yards passing in the first half.

Colorado had zero rushing yards in the first half.

Nebraska starts drive at 25 yard line. Martinez fumbles at 34 and recovers it. Time to punt.

Colorado drive starts at 19 yard line. 1st down for Buffs. Montez is making short passes for two first downs. 4th down at 49 and the Buffs will punt. Nebraska ball at 11 yard line.

The Huskers drop two passes and will have to punt. Colorado takes over at 46 yard line of Buffs.

Great pass by Montez on third down to 38 yard line. But the play is under review. The pass is ruled incomplete. Colorado punts and the Huskers have the ball at the 15 yard line.

Martinez is sacked at 14 yard line. Time to punt. Colorado ball at 36 yard line of Buffs.

Penalty on CU. The drive starts at 31. Good pass from Montez and a 22 yard gain to 47 of NU. But a three yard loss on reverse. Montez has 11-yard pass for 1st down. The Buffs running game starting to work. CU first down at 22. Another first down at 11 yard line. Colorado scores on an 11-yard run for a touchdown. Nebraska still leads 17-7 with 1:42 left in 3Q.

NEBRASKA 17 COLORADO 7

Martinez pass to Robinson for a good gain. Facemask penalty on CU moves ball to 48 yard line of NU. Martinez pass to Spielman for a first down to 41 of CU. Illegal block by NU moves ball back to 48 yard line of NU.

END OF 3Q : NEBRASKA 17 COLORADO 7

The Buffs are still in it. Colorado scored on a Steven Montez pass to Nixon for 96 yard TD. Nebraska still leads 17-14.

But the Huskers answer on a 75 yard touchdown pass from Martinez to Washington.Nebraska now leads 24-14 with 14:09 left in the game.

The Buffs have come back again.Colorado scored on a touchdown run.

Mangham runs in from 7 yards out. Nebraska still leads 24-21 with 12:19 left in the game. The Husker defense looks tired here in the 4th quarter. The altitude may be getting to the Blackshirts.

We have a new ball game! Martinez was just hit and fumbled the ball away. Colorado recovers at the 20 yard line of the Huskers.

Montez passes 13 yards down to the 6 yard line of Nebraska.

Colorado kicks a 20 yard field goal to tie the game up at 24 all with 8:30 left in the game.

Big run by Martinez out of the pocket. He runs 17 yards to 45 of NU.

Washinton comes up with another big play. He runs to the 15 yard line of CU. Key run by Martinez to get first down at 5 yard line. The play is under review. Martinez was just short.

Touchdown by Martinez! He runs a keeper on 4th down to take the lead.

Nebraska leads Colorado 31-24 with 5:49 left in the game.

Game updatesPREGAME

Watch for live updates here as game day activities get under way in Boulder.

Liveblog