Huskers fight back, win 48-25 on the road for Riley's first conference win

MINNEAPOLIS -
By now, the narrative is well known: Entering Saturday, Nebraska was in less-than-satisfying territory, having lost four of the first six games to start the year. Last-second defeats have haunted Nebraska's fanbase and a loss Saturday would mark the first time a Nebraska Cornhuskers squad started 2-5 since 1958.

However, Nebraska (3-4, 1-2) left Minneapolis with a 48-25 victory over Minnesota (4-3,1-2), marking the team's first conference win this season.

Minnesota had never scored a touchdown in the first quarter this season, but drove the length of the field on the opening drive. Quarterback Mitch Leidner threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to put the Gophers up 7-0.

However, the rest of the first half was dominated by the Cornhuskers.

Terrell Newby took a handoff 69 yards for the longest scoring play of the season, tying it 7-7. About six minutes later, Tommy Armstrong Jr. connected with Alonzo Moore on a 32-yard touchdown pass, marking the second consecutive week the two have connected on a touchdown.

A 45-yard field goal by Drew Brown early in the second quarter made it 17-7. The 16-play drive that set it up was Nebraska's longest drive of the season.

Minnesota countered with a seven-yard touchdown run by KJ Maye to make it 17-14.

Newby added a nine-yard touchdown run to make it 24-14. Nebraska's 24 points tied the most first-half points from the team this season (24, against South Alabama).



Nebraska added nine-yard touchdown pass from Armstrong to Cethan Carter on a 99-yard drive to put the team up 31-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El made a spectacular touchdown reception to push the lead to 38-14.

Minnesota responded with a drive of its own, bringing the score to 38-22. The Gophers added a field goal with 6:29 remaining to make 38-25.

With less than 3:30 remaining, Brown added a 41-yard field goal to push the score to 41-25.

Josh Kalu returned an interception for a touchdown shortly after and Nebraska left with a 48-25 win.



Nebraska next plays Saturday, at home, against Northwestern.