Sam McKewon, with the Omaha World-Herald, breaks down the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
LINCOLN — They argued and scrapped, screwed around, stumbled around, stuck around, fought, threw up their hands, narrowed their eyes, threw the ball halfway to heaven and, finally, celebrated like kids at midfield and running into the tunnel because, what the heck, they’d earned the right to do arm-waving airplanes for a night.
Nebraska won a Big Ten football game for the first time in a year, 35-21 over Indiana, in a game so ugly — 23 penalties, more clock stoppages than a round of competition chess, more reviews than a Marvel movie — that only the team that won it could love it.
The Huskers won. The Huskers did.
“You’re happy for the kids,” coach Mickey Joseph said. “They’ve been through a lot.”
Head coach fired. Defensive coordinator too. So many changes. Inside linebacker Luke Reimer called the last three weeks “chaotic.” NU (2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten) played like it, too, stopping itself more often than could Indiana (3-2, 1-1), which played without its top two receivers.
Banged up, harassed, yelled at by his own offensive coordinator after a series, Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson was the microcosm of all that. He left the game twice — once for a benching, another because he got drilled on a blitz — and returned with an admittedly hurting shoulder.
“It’s something I should be able to manage,” Thompson said.
He still was able to wind up and throw the ball far and high, to the speedy transfer he knew could catch up. Trey Palmer ran under Thompson’s pass and ran away for the 71-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that clinched NU’s first win over an FBS team in almost a year.
“We always tell Casey, when you’re throwing the ball to Trey, just hit your back foot and throw it as far as you can, and he’ll go get it,” Joseph said. “And it fell in our favor.”
It was the kind of game where the referee, having announced so many penalties, said “Indiana” and pointed toward Nebraska. But it’s a game NU put in the win column. Ugly never looked so pretty. The 86,804 at Memorial Stadium even belted out a “Go Big Red!” chant with six minutes left.
“Every Big Ten game’s going to be like this,” Joseph said. “If you look around the conference, everything’s a tight game like this. We’ve got to win the fourth quarter. And we did.”
That Thompson, the Texas transfer, delivered the big throw had a note of power to it. He had absorbed three sacks, got chewed out by offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and briefly sat on the bench while his backup gave Indiana its first touchdown.
“I have to do a better job of knowing when to throw it away and where to throw it,” said Thompson, who took a 11-yard sack on a third-and-two. In the third quarter, Thompson threw an interception right after Reimer’s interception had set up the Huskers at the IU 32.
But on third-and-nine from his own 29, a patchwork line gave him enough time to survey IU’s coverage, locate Palmer running a slot stop-and-go, and throw to the heavens. Palmer caught the ball in stride and raced home.
“My number got called,” Palmer said, “and I made the play.”
The Husker defense — dragged through the mud for a month — forced 11 punts and kept IU’s play total to 67. Indiana gained just 290 yards as Nebraska notched three sacks. Joseph credited the players for playing fast and defensive coordinator Bill Busch for simplifying schemes in a way that allowed it.
“I thought they put their face in the fan,” Joseph said. “I didn’t see anyone shy away.”
Junior edge rusher Garrett Nelson celebrated wildly as he ran off the field Saturday night.
“Pretty sweet, pretty sweet,” said Nelson, who had two sacks. “It’s always good to get a win. Highest of highs.”
Plus, the rare big play from Nebraska’s special teams sweetened a sour first half.
Early in the second quarter, Husker linebacker Chris Kolarevic blocked a punt that had barely left Indiana punter James Evans’ foot and freshman cornerback Malcolm Hartzog — getting the first start of his career — returned it 30 yards for a score. It was the first NU blocked punt for a touchdown since 2009. Joseph said he talked to the team — and Hartzog — all week about making a play on punt block.
“We told him, if you don’t block it, you’ve got to pick it up, and he did,” Joseph said of Hartzog.
That play gave the Huskers a 14-7 lead in a half dominated by penalties (15 incurred between the two teams), blitzing defenses and frustrated quarterbacks.
Thompson completed 11 of 14 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, but he also took two intentional-grounding penalties and an 11-yard sack on a third-and-2 play. When Thompson left the field after the sack, Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple yelled at Thompson for 35 seconds, motioning, at one point, for Thompson to get away from him.
“I have to do a better job of knowing when to throw it away and where to throw it,” Thompson said.
NU led 7-0 at the time. Soon, the game would be tied as Thompson’s backup, Chubba Purdy, entered the game, absorbed a sack in Nebraska’s own end zone, coughing the ball up as he sat on a Hoosier player. IU defensive end Myles Jackson recovered the fumble for a touchdown.
The Huskers went three-and-out on their next drive. So did Indiana — that’s when Kolarevic blocked the punt.
A 22-yard punt return by Palmer set up Nebraska’s next touchdown drive, as Thompson hit passes of 14, 10 and 21 to set up Jaquez Yant’s one-yard plunge for a score.
Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak, cold for much the first half, hit passes of 28, 15 and 13 yards — the last of them for a touchdown — on the following drive. Nebraska’s next possession got blown up by a personal foul on Turner Corcoran — ejected for throwing a punch — and Indiana quickly capitalized, going 70 yards in six plays and one minute, 53 seconds to tie the game.
The Huskers scored on their first drive of the night, but struggled to get out of its own way with penalties and miscues.
Corcoran got ejected from the game, officials said, for throwing a punch at an IU player who was on the ground, even though, upon further review, it appeared Corcoran was merely finishing a block and his hand hit a helmet. By the end of the first half, NU’s offensive line consisted of Brant Banks, Ethan Piper, Trent Hixson, Broc Bando and Hunter Anthony.
The third quarter — a scrum of penalties, punts and turnovers — gave way to the fourth quarter. And Nebraska controlled it. The Thompson-to-Palmer throw was followed by a six-minute touchdown march that put the game out of reach. Nebraska’s D forced a punt and then got a stop on downs. IU had five yards in the final quarter. Nebraska had 140.
“It’s just a huge morale booster, knowing we can play a fourth-quarter game, a close game,” Reimer said. “Last year, we lost every single close game we had and Northwestern (this year) as well. It just seemed like a mountain we just couldn’t climb.”
NU climbed it Saturday — and celebrated that way, too.
The Huskers ran off the field to cheers. Marques Buford did an airplane. Joseph pumped his fist as he ran alongside Thompson, who smiled. After a long, tough month, the victory was a relief.
“We’ve been overdue to finish a game in victory (formation) and take a knee,” Thompson said.
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Photos: Nebraska football hosts Indiana
Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (1) and Alante Brown (4) celebrate while running off the field following the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson, left, and Head Coach Mickey Joseph leave the field after defeating Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) makes a catch ahead of Indiana’s Phillip Dunnam (15) and then ran it in for a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (99) celebrates a sack of Indiana’s Connor Bazelak (9) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against Indiana during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against Indiana during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson throws a first quarter touchdown pass to Oliver Martin against Indiana during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford tackles Indiana’s Shaun Shivers during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog celebrates a third down stop against Indiana during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Bill Busch celebrates a stop against Indiana during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy is sacked and fumbles leading to an Indiana touchdown during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy fumbles leading to an Indiana touchdown during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Indiana’s Myles Jackson recovers a Chubba Purdy fumble for a touchdown ahead of Nebraska’s Bryce Benhart during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska players react after Indiana recovered a Chubba Purdy fumble for a touchdown during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr., left, tackles Indiana’s Andison Coby after he had a four-yard reception in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog, No.13, celebrates with his team after he scored by recovering an Indiana punt that was blocked by Chris Kolarevic in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog breaks up a pass intended for Indiana’s Malachi Holt-Bennett in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich, left, and Garrett Nelson celebrate a sack by Nelson in the second quarter against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog scores after recovering an Indiana punt that was blocked by Chris Kolarevic, left, in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog scores after recovering an Indiana punt that was blocked by Chris Kolarevic, left, in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog scores after recovering an Indiana punt that was blocked by Chris Kolarevic in the second quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson sacks Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak in the first quarter on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen tackles Nebraska’s Oliver Martin after he caught a second quarter pass on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Dasan McCullough sacks Nebraska’s Casey Thompson in the first quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Jimari Butler almost intercepts an Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska Special Teams Coach Joey Connors watches Brendan Franke warm-up during the game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Jacob Lavene, of Kearney, Nebraska, hangs out in a hammock near the student union on campus before the football game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Husker fans walk on the University of Nebraska campus before the football game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Indiana’s tries to escape Nebraska’s during their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy is sacked by Indiana’s Cam Jones (4) and Louis Moore (20) during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana Aaron Casey pulls on the facemask of Nebraska’s Casey Thompson during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Mickey Joseph talks with Nebraska’s Turner Corcoran after Corcoran is ejected during the second quarter during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson throws a pass as he is tackled by Indiana’s Brad Jennings Jr. during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson attempts a pass during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Tom Allen talks with players during a timeout against Nebraska during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Connor Bazelak looks to throw a pass during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson sacks Indiana’s Connor Bazelak during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson celebrates his sack during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (83) misses a pass with Indiana’s Phillip Dunnam (15) tagging behind in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Penalty flags on the turf during the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans react to a penalty call in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (13) celebrates a third down stop in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Bill Busch, Nebraska’s interim defensive coordinator, celebrates a third down stop in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) makes a catch ahead of the back judge in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) passes the ball to Oliver Martin (89) for a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Oliver Martin (89) makes a catch for a touchdown with Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen (3) on him in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Timmy Bleekrode (38) kicks an extra point in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) drags Indiana’s Louis Moore (20) while rushing in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (28) breaks up a pass to Indiana’s AJ Barner (88) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) rushes out of reach of Indiana’s Alfred Bryant (92) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) is sacked by Indiana’s Dasan McCullough (0) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Andison Coby (10) keeps an eye on Nebraska’s Myles Farmer (8) while rushing in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy (6) hands the ball off to Anthony Grant (10) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy (6) is brought down by Indiana’s Louis Moore (20) and Cam Jones (4) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Purdy fumbled the ball, and it was recovered for a touchdown by Indiana.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy (6) fumbles the ball in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. It was recovered for a touchdown by Indiana.
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Indiana’s Myles Jackson (10) recovers a Chubba Purdy (6) fumble for a touchdown ahead of Nebraska’s Bryce Benhart (54) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska players react after Indiana recovered a Chubba Purdy (6) fumble for a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Emery Simmons (0) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Mark Whipple, Nebraska’s offensive coordinator, watches his team in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Malachi Holt-Bennett (19) is brought down by Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (13) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans celebrate a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) gets the pass thrown before being hit by Indiana’s Noah Pierre (21) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Connor Bazelak (9) passes the ball in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (23) tackles Indiana’s Shaun Shivers (2) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (23) tackles Indiana’s Shaun Shivers (2) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Jaylin Lucas (12) rushes headfirst into Nebraska’s Myles Farmer (8) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska Head Coach Mickey Joseph pumps his fist as he leaves the field after defeating Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson, left, and Head Coach Mickey Joseph leave the field after defeating Indiana on Saturday.
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From left: Nebraska’s Myles Farmer, Nick Henrich, and Luke Reimer tackle Indiana’s Donaven McCulley in the fourth quarter on Saturday. At far right is Marques Buford Jr.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford tackles Indiana’s Emery Simmons for a five-yard loss in the fourth quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer catches an 11-yard pass in the fourth quarter against Indiana on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen breaks a pass intended for Nebraska’s Marcus Washington in the third quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple, left, talks with quarterback Casey Thompson in the fourth quarter against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple, left, talks with quarterback Casey Thompson in the fourth quarter against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer and Grant Tagge celebrate after Reimer broke up a pass to get a stop during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich celebrate after Reimer broke up a pass to get a stop during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Brandon Moore (left) and Luke Reimer celebrate after Reimer got an interception during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Brandon Moore (left) and Luke Reimer celebrate after Reimer got an interception during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer and Caleb Tannor signal that Reimer got an interception after tackling Indiana’s Javon Swinton during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich tackles Indiana’s Donaven McCulley during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich celebrates after tackling Indiana’s Donaven McCulley during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer intercepts the ball after tackling Indiana’s Javon Swinton during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer intercepts the ball after tackling Indiana’s Javon Swinton during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich celebrates after tackling Indiana’s Donaven McCulley during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Myles Farmer (from left), Nick Henrich, and Luke Reimer tackle Indiana’s Donaven McCulley during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Snodgrass uses gestures to call a play into the defense against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich, left, and Ty Robinson talk check on an injured Garrett Nelson in the second half against Indiana on Saturday.
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Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak throws a pass to Emery Simmons as Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford defends in the fourth quarter on Saturday.
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Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple, left, has an animated conversation with Head Coach Mickey Joseph, after a fourth-quarter touchdown against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska Head Coach Mickey Joseph, left, has an animated conversation with Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple after a fourth-quarter touchdown against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich walks watches the laser show before the start of the fourth quarter against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson celebrates after getting a sack during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson is tackled as he throws by Indiana’s James Head Jr. during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer sheds a tackle from Indiana’s Lem Watley-Neely during a punt return during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy scrambles from pressure during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans shine lights during the light show before the fourth quarter during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer carries the ball in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against Indiana during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer catches a pass against Indiana’s Phillip Dunnam during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer runs the ball in for a touchdown against Indiana’s Phillip Dunnam during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson celebrates after getting a sack during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson pumps his arms before the snap during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Brad Jennings Jr. (right) tackles Anthony Grant during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (right) breaks up a pass to Indiana’s Emery Simmons during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald (right) tackles Marcus Washington during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen breaks up a pass to Marcus Washington during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant fumbles the ball which was recovered by Nebraska’s Brody Belt during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Head Coach Tom Allen looks at the refs after an interception call during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson is helped up after getting injured during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson is helped up after getting injured during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) runs in for a touchdown ahead of Indiana’s Phillip Dunnam (15) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) celebrates a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Officials speak after a penalty in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Indiana’s Connor Bazelak (9) throws the ball in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (99) sacks Indiana’s Connor Bazelak (9) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) runs in for a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) scores a touchdown in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Mickey Joseph, Nebraska’s interim head coach, speaks with an official in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) rushes into Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen (3) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) eyes Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald (31) in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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A Husker fans cheers during the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Trent Hixson (75) snaps the ball in the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Nebraska won the game 35-21.
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Nebraska’s Teddy Prochazka (65) has his arm in a sling during the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald talks with Nebraska’s Marcus Washington after a play during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Mickey Joseph high fives special teams players after a kickoff during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant runs the ball as Nebraska’s Trent Hixson blocks Indiana’s James Head Jr. during a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Mickey Joseph leads the Huskers onto the field before a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Mickey Joseph leads the Huskers onto the field before a game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Mickey Jospeh, the Nebraska interim head coach, watches his team warm up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) warms up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Joey Connors, a Nebraska assistant coach, watches his team warm up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Ajay Allen (9) isn’t suited up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (83) warms up ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Bill Busch, the Nebraska interim defensive coordinator, watches his team during warm-ups ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Chris Kolarevic (31) adjusts his helmet during warm-ups ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Mila Friedman, 4, is tossed in the air and caught by her dad, Sebastian Friedman, of Lincoln, while tailgating ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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People tailgate ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Member of the Nebraska spirit squad arrive ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Tige Stromire, of Silverthorne, Colo., tosses a football while tailgating ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Chase Caverzagie, of Omaha, wears striped overalls ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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People arrive at Memorial Stadium ahead of the Indiana vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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A man walks in the southwest corner of Memorial Stadium hours before Nebraska takes on Indiana on Saturday.
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Herbert Husker and fans greet Nebraska as they arrive to play Indiana on Saturday.
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Fans make their way tot the stadium before the Nebraska and Indiana game on Saturday.
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Jacob Lavene, of Kearney, Nebraska, hangs out in a hammock near the student union on campus before the football game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Husker fans walk on the University of Nebraska campus before the football game against Indiana on Saturday.
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A Husker fan walks on the University of Nebraska campus before the football game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts, left, hugs Head Coach Mickey Joseph before the game against Indiana on Saturday.
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Fans sit in the south end zone before the start of the Nebraska and Indiana game on Saturday.
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Fans sit in the south end zone before the start of the Nebraska and Indiana game on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph (left) speaks to Interim Defensive Coordinator Busch before their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant runs toward the end zone for a touchdown during their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (left) tries to escape Indiana’s Bryant Fitzgerald during the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Alante Brown is tackled by Indiana’s Josh Sanguinetti during the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Alante Brown tries to escape Indiana’s Jaylin Williams during their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. celebrates after making a tackle during their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog celebrates after breaking up a pass during the first half of their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson celebrates getting a stop during their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Indiana’s Head Coach Tom Allen speaks to his players during their game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich tackles Indiana’s Javon Swinton during their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Nick Henrich tackles Indiana’s Javon Swinton during their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans before their game against Indiana at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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