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Northwestern Football: 3 takeaways from shocking win over Nebraska

By Kathryn Rose

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 27: Luke Akers of Northwestern Wildcats looks on prior to the game at Aviva Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 27: Luke Akers of Northwestern Wildcats looks on prior to the game at Aviva Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images) /
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Nov 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ryan Hilinski (12) warms up before the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ryan Hilinski (12) warms up before the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ryan Hilinski was a wonder in this contest

Coming into today, Ryan Hilinski was underwhelming at best. The former South Carolina transfer was throwing only 54 percent of his passes on target while sporting a paltry 3-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season.

Yet, in this game, Hilinski found himself a star. Though Northwestern liked to run the ball first as a means of playing to their strengths, Hilinski gave the offense another dimension. On play-action passes, he was decisive, as he let the rush come to him before flipping it off to the back. He showed himself as an effective field general too, checking to plays that ultimately found success.

In the drop-back passing game, he was throwing the ball into tight windows. Nebraska kept running zone coverages, and Hilinski was patient enough to let the routes develop ahead of him. The intermediate throws were sometimes impressive.

If he keeps that up, Northwestern can see themselves out of the basement in 2022.

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