OMAHA, Neb.—Nebraska’s offense finally came to life, just in time to pull out a win over Kansas and give the Cornhuskers a surge of momentum as they play for the Big 12 North title this week against Kansas State.
The Huskers are, to be sure, no juggernaut. But after averaging 275 yards and scoring a total of just four offensive touchdowns the previous four weeks, Nebraska’s 410-yard, three-TD outing against the Jayhawks was a major improvement.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, whose play-calling had been criticized by fans and media, went back to some old-school Nebraska power football to wear down the Jayhawks in the second half.
Roy Helu Jr. ran for 86 of his 156 yards in the fourth quarter, scoring twice in the final 6:19 to lead the Huskers to a 31-17 victory and their first win in Lawrence, Kan., since 2001.
Helu, who scored the Huskers’ other touchdown when he landed on Zac Lee’s fumble in the end zone in the first quarter, had been bothered much of the season by a banged-up shoulder. He went over 100 yards for the second straight week and pushed his season rushing total to a career-best 962. He’s averaging a Big 12-leading 5.8 yards per carry.
“He’s been unbelievable for us these past two weeks,” Watson said. “He showed a lot of courage and really has given us a huge lift as a football team and (given) our offense a jump.”
Niles Paul caught four passes for a career-high 154 yards for the biggest day by a Nebraska receiver since Maurice Purify had 158 yards in receptions against Kansas two years ago. Paul also had 72 yards on kick returns and 18 on punt returns to total a career-high 244 all-purpose yards.
Paul benefited from Watson’s decision to line up with one or two tight ends, forcing the Jayhawks to use single-man coverage.
“We knew there was a strong possibility because we were going to get in some strong sets,” Watson said. We’ve kind of had to evolve through the season because of injuries and youth, and that’s going to cause single coverage. That’s why Niles had a big game. They singled him up and he was able to take advantage of it.”
Paul broke out after enduring some tough breaks this season, none worse than his unprovoked fumble into the end zone in a 9-7 loss to Iowa State.
“My ups and downs definitely have helped me become, mentally, a better player,” Paul said. “I realize it’s football and you’re always going to have some downs, but there also going to be some ups. I felt like I was back in high school. It was a great feeling to be out there making plays like that.”
Lee, who made his first start in three games, was solid in completing 13 of 21 passes for 196 yards and running nine times for 53, including a 32-yard burst that started a second-quarter drive resulting in a field goal for a 10-0 lead.
Lee played the whole game even though Coach Bo Pelini had said there was a good chance freshman Cody Green would take some snaps.
“He’s just getting his confidence back,” Watson said. “I’ve been telling you guys since the beginning of the year that our offense is going to explode in a game. That’s what we did.”
Kansas dented Nebraska’s defense for 335 yards and neutralized star defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, who had just three tackles. Suh hasn’t made a tackle behind the line of scrimmage for the second straight week after making at least one in 12 straight games.
The Huskers’ defensive line failed to sack Kansas’ Todd Reesing, who got stronger as the game went on and finished with 236 yards passing and 42 yards rushing.
Linebacker Phillip Dillard said the Nebraska offense’s breakthrough was timely, given the defense’s struggles.
“We’ve bailed them out, and today they bailed us out,” he said.
Now the Huskers (7-3, 4-2) prepare to play Kansas State (6-5, 4-3) for the North Division title. If they win Saturday’s game in Lincoln, they’ll move to the Big 12 championship game for the first time since 2006.
“We’re going to have to play with higher intensity and come out ready to fight,” Dillard said.
