Nebraska Football: Colorado ruins Scott Frost’s homecoming with Huskers

Scott Frost’s first game as Nebraska football coach was spoiled by old rival Colorado despite Adrian Martinez’s solid showing.

Nebraska had a rocky start, to say the least. The Husker’s productive opening drive ended with a Greg Bell fumble giving the Buffs the ball on their own 23. Their next drive ended with a fumble from Freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez and gave Colorado the ball on the Nebraska 24. Colorado capitalized on both fumbles with a passing touchdown from Steven Montez and a rushing touchdown from receiver Laviska Shenault Jr..

The Huskers kicked it into a whole other gear on the next five drives by scoring touchdowns in three of them to take a 21-14 lead. Adrian Martinez accounted for a passing and a rushing touchdown in that span with the divine running back Devine Ozigbo punching in an 8-yard rush.

By halftime, the Nebraska offense looked universally unstoppable in the first half with 243 rushing yards while the defense allowed a total of nine rushing yards to the duo of Travon McMillan and Kyle Evans.

The Nebraska rushing game looked incredible with Greg Bell leading the way with 81 yards. Martinez had an improbable pass to Stanley Morgan Jr. on the run that left many speechless on a drive just before the half. He also took the first run of his college career to the house on 41-yard rush.

The Buffalo’s opened up with a field goal in the opening drive of the second half to cut the lead to 21-20. After punts from both sides, Adrian Martinez hit his only passing touchdown of the day to JD Spielman on a 57-yard shot to the end zone to give the Huskers a 28-20 lead.

Colorado would hit touchdown passes at the end of the third and fourth quarters to take a 33-28 lead and an injury to Adrian Martinez would force backup quarterback Andrew Bunch into the game for the Huskers. Ultimately Nebraska would be unable to convert on fourth down and lose the game 33-28.

Adrian Martinez looked incredible all throughout the game and the team in rushing yards with 117 yards and two touchdowns. JUCO-transfer Greg Bell looked good in his debut with 104 yards. Steven Montez set a career high in completions and attempts with the second most passing yards for his career with 351. Nebraska outrushed Colorado 329 to 44 and had three rushers with more than 50 yards.

Stat leaders for both teams were:

Colorado

Passing: Steven Montez — 33/50 for 351 yards and three touchdowns
Rushing: Travon McMillan — eight carries for 25 yards
Receiving: Laviska Shenault Jr. — 10 receptions for 177 yards one touchdown

Nebraska

Passing: Adrian Martinez — 15/20 for 187 yards with one touchdown, one interception
Rushing: Adrian Martinez — 15 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns
Receiving: Stanley Morgan Jr. — five receptions for 75 yards

The Cornhuskers will grow from this loss, but it was a tough pill to swallow in the opener of Frost’s tenure as head coach.