On September 7, 2024, the Nebraska Cornhuskers clashed with the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, reigniting one of college football’s storied rivalries. Nebraska secured a decisive 28-10 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak against Colorado and improving to 2-0 on the season. This article provides an original breakdown of the player stats that defined the game, spotlighting the standout performances from both teams and offering insights into what this matchup means for their 2024 campaigns.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Football vs Colorado Buffaloes Football Match Player Stats
- Sport: American Football
- League: NCAA Division I FBS (College Football)
- Game Type: Regular Season, Week 2
- Date: September 7, 2024
- Venue: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
- Teams: Nebraska Cornhuskers (Home) Colorado Buffaloes (Away)
- Final Score: Nebraska 28 Colorado 10
- Winner: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Game Overview
The Cornhuskers dominated from the opening whistle, building a 28-0 halftime lead thanks to a stifling defense and efficient offense led by true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Colorado struggled to find rhythm, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders facing relentless pressure. Despite a late rally, the Buffaloes couldn’t overcome Nebraska’s early surge. Below, we dive into the key player stats that shaped this rivalry showdown.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: Key Player Stats
- Dylan Raiola (QB)
- Stats: 23-of-35, 185 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
- Standout Moment: Raiola connected with Jaylen Lloyd on a 36-yard pass to set up a second-quarter touchdown, showcasing his arm strength and poise.
- Analysis: In just his second career start, Raiola’s 185 passing yards and touchdown pass to Rahmir Johnson highlighted his potential as Nebraska’s cornerstone quarterback. His mistake-free performance was critical in maintaining offensive momentum.
- Dante Dowdell (RB)
- Stats: 14 carries, 67 yards, 2 TDs
- Standout Moment: Dowdell’s consecutive runs of 13 and 12 yards in the first quarter powered him into the end zone, giving Nebraska an early 7-0 lead.
- Analysis: Averaging 4.8 yards per carry, Dowdell’s physicality wore down Colorado’s front seven. His two touchdowns underscored his role as a red-zone weapon.
- Rahmir Johnson (RB/WR)
- Stats: 5 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries, 24 yards
- Standout Moment: Johnson hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Raiola in the second quarter, capping a crisp offensive drive.
- Analysis: Johnson’s versatility as a receiver and rusher (leading the team with 45 receiving yards) kept Colorado’s defense guessing, making him a vital piece of Nebraska’s attack.
- Tommi Hill (CB)
- Stats: 1 INT, 7-yard return TD
- Standout Moment: Hill intercepted Sanders in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown, pushing Nebraska’s lead to 14-0.
- Analysis: Hill’s pick-six was a turning point, energizing the Blackshirts and setting a defensive tone that Colorado couldn’t overcome.
- Ty Robinson (DL)
- Stats: 2 sacks, 1 blocked FG, 3 TFL
- Standout Moment: Robinson’s nine-yard sack on Colorado’s opening drive disrupted their rhythm, and his blocked 29-yard field goal later preserved Nebraska’s shutout bid in the first half.
- Analysis: With six sacks as a unit, Nebraska’s defense thrived, and Robinson’s disruptive plays (three tackles for loss) were central to limiting Colorado to 16 rushing yards.
Colorado Buffaloes: Key Player Stats
- Shedeur Sanders (QB)
- Stats: 23-of-38, 244 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 sacks
- Standout Moment: Sanders found LaJohntay Wester for a five-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, avoiding a shutout.
- Analysis: Despite 244 passing yards, Sanders was sacked five times and threw a costly interception. Nebraska’s pressure exposed vulnerabilities in Colorado’s offensive line, hampering his effectiveness.
- Travis Hunter (WR/DB)
- Stats: 7 receptions, 72 yards; 1 tackle
- Standout Moment: Hunter’s 43-yard catch in the fourth quarter set up Colorado’s lone touchdown, showcasing his playmaking ability.
- Analysis: Hunter’s 72 receiving yards led the team, and his two-way effort (including a tackle on defense) underlined his star power, though it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
- LaJohntay Wester (WR)
- Stats: 4 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD
- Standout Moment: Wester’s five-yard touchdown reception late in the game put Colorado on the board.
- Analysis: With only 35 yards, Wester’s production was limited, reflecting Colorado’s broader offensive struggles against Nebraska’s secondary.
- Chidozie Nwankwo (DL)
- Stats: 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
- Standout Moment: Nwankwo sacked Raiola in the third quarter, briefly halting Nebraska’s momentum.
- Analysis: Leading Colorado with five tackles, Nwankwo provided a spark on defense, but the unit couldn’t consistently stop Nebraska’s balanced attack.
- Alejandro Mata (K)
- Stats: 1-for-2 FG, 27 yards; 1 blocked FG
- Standout Moment: Mata’s 27-yard field goal in the third quarter accounted for Colorado’s first points.
- Analysis: A blocked 29-yard attempt earlier in the game proved costly, as special teams miscues compounded Colorado’s woes.
Historical Context
Nebraska holds a 49-21-2 edge in the all-time series, but Colorado had won the last three meetings, including a 36-14 rout in 2023. This 28-10 triumph marked a turning point for the Cornhuskers, who hadn’t beaten the Buffaloes since 2010. Coach Matt Rhule’s post-game comment, “We expected this score, and we expected this to be like this. We have a good team,” reflected Nebraska’s confidence and preparation.
By the Numbers
- Nebraska’s Defensive Dominance: Six sacks, 49 yards in tackles for loss, and holding Colorado to 16 rushing yards (0.6 yards per carry).
- Colorado’s Offensive Struggles: 260 total yards, with Sanders’ 244 passing yards overshadowed by five sacks and an interception.
- Game-Changing Plays: Hill’s pick-six and Robinson’s blocked field goal were pivotal in Nebraska’s 28-point first half.
What This Means Moving Forward
For Nebraska, this win signals a resurgence under Rhule, with Raiola’s emergence and a ferocious defense providing optimism for Big Ten contention. Colorado, meanwhile, must address offensive line issues if Sanders and Hunter are to thrive against top competition. This game reasserted Nebraska’s physical edge in the rivalry and set the tone for their 2024 season.
Conclusion
Nebraska’s 28-10 rout of Colorado on September 7, 2024, was a masterclass in defensive pressure and offensive efficiency. Raiola, Dowdell, and Robinson led the charge for the Cornhuskers, while Sanders and Hunter fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome Nebraska’s dominance. This victory not only flipped the recent script in the rivalry but also positioned Nebraska as a team on the rise.
