These are tough times for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but in one 10-second sequence Friday night, the team rekindled memories of their glory days … with fans hoping it’s a glimpse of the future, too.
Playing as 3.5-point underdogs on the road against Illinois, Nebraska got on the board first with a first-quarter field goal.
Then, the craziness started.
The Cornhuskers put together a 14-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard Anthony Grant touchdown run.
Dream sequence for Nebraska (and a nightmare for Illinois).
Part 1: Nebraska's Anthony Grant scores on a 1-yard touchdown run pic.twitter.com/hSJ51RtCBp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 7, 2023
Before Nebraska fans had even finished celebrating that score, the team recovered an onside kick on the Fighting Illini 25-yard line. (Never mind that the “onside kick” was wind-aided and totally inadvertent — this is a feel-good story.)
On the very next play, Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg scampered in for a 25-yard TD run.
That’s two touchdowns and 14 points in 10 seconds.
Part 3: On the first play of the ensuing Nebraska possession, Nebraska QB Heinrich Haarberg scores on a 25-yard run.
In the span of 10 seconds on the game clock, it went from 3-0 Nebraska to 17-0. pic.twitter.com/w2jyxnLBPj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 7, 2023
A crazy sequence, but it could have gotten even weirder. On the ensuing kickoff, three Illinois players collided going after the ball, nearly resulting in disaster.
And there's more.
Illinois narrowly avoids another disaster on the ensuing kickoff. pic.twitter.com/y9tARicatX
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 7, 2023
For all the bad things fans have had to say about Nebraska’s slow 2-3 start under new head coach Matt Rhule, this flurry of points was a welcome surprise. Fans reacted accordingly on social media.
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS 🏈 LFGGG
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥— $$$ (@NCAAflash) October 7, 2023
THE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS MADE A POSITIVE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAY
— cam (@Cam_Is_Like) October 7, 2023
What a first half for Nebraska!
So far that +3.5 looking nice 🔥#Nebraska #Cornhuskers
— Justin Sansonetti (@Sansonetti15) October 7, 2023
Nebraska Cornhuskers getting some bounces, but playing football & looking stout.
Matt Rhule… are you that guy?👀
🧐— Walter (@ChillNRelaxed) October 7, 2023
My soon-to-be 10 year old son just called the Nebraska Cornhuskers “the Karen team” of college football and now I cannot unsee it.
— Turrón Bland0 (@thebland0) October 7, 2023
Dude this is fun! #nebraska #cornhuskers #skers #gbr
— Sker Picman (@skerpicman) October 7, 2023
