Huskers Blow Over Cyclones, 28-0Huskers Blow Over Cyclones, 28-0
Football

Huskers Blow Over Cyclones, 28-0

Isaiah Fluellen races 39 yards for a first-quarter touchdown against Iowa State Postgame Coverage

Lincoln -- No. 14/11 (AP/Coaches) Nebraska overwhelmed Iowa State with special teams and defense, as the Huskers improved to 7-1 on the season and 3-1 in the Big 12 North with a 28-0 victory over the Cyclones Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The Huskers, who clinched a 42nd consecutive winning regular season with Saturday’s victory, blocked two Cyclone punts, including one that was returned for a score, and forced three turnovers to avenge a 36-14 setback to ISU in Ames last season.

The Huskers, who are at least guaranteed a share of the Big 12 North Division lead, struck early, converting two blocked punts into touchdowns en route to a 321-0 first-quarter lead in posting their 13th consecutive win over the Cyclones (2-6, 0-4) in Lincoln. It was the third straight year that NU blocked at least one Cyclone punt, while the two blocks on Saturday marked NU’s highest total since a two-block effort against Kansas last season.

NU, which entered the game ranked second nationally in total defense, posted its second shutout of the year and has not allowed an offensive touchdown in eight quarters - dating back to the fourth quarter against Missouri on Oct. 11. At home, the Blackshirts have been even stingier, not allowing an offensive touchdown in its last 14 quarters, dating back to Sept. 14.

NU allowed just 95 yards before halftime, as the Cyclones did not cross midfield until 1:48 remaining in the half, and allowed just 230 yards of total offense in posting their second shutout this month. It also marked the first time that Iowa State has been shutout since 1991 and NU’s first shutout over the Cyclones since posting consecutive shutouts over Iowa State in 1984 and 1985.

Josh Bullocks, who entered the contest with a nation-leading seven interceptions, sparked the Huskers on special teams with his first career punt block, giving the Huskers possession at the 19-yard line. NU capitalized on the block, as Jammal Lord scored on a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal, giving the Huskers a 7-0 lead.

The Huskers showed their big-play potential on the next series, going 79 yards in just three plays to extend the lead to 14-0. Lord, who didn’t play in the second half, broke open a 2nd-and-1 play for 31 yards to the ISU 39 before the Husker QB sprung wide receiver Isaiah Fluellen for a 39-yard scoring jaunt around left end.

Fluellen, who entered the game with 17 yards rushing on three carries, led Nebraska with 78 yards on five carries, as Nebraska totaled 282 yards on the ground. The Huskers were able to spread the wealth, as nine different players had at least one rushing attempt, while four NU players rushed for at least 40 yards.

Nebraska’s special teams struck again, as Demorrio Williams blocked Tony Yelk’s punt which Josh Bullocks scooped up and went 26 yards for his first career touchdown, giving NU a 21-0 advantage 14 minutes into the contest.

The opportunistic Blackshirts helped NU extend their lead to 28-0 on Josh Davis’ 1-yard plunge with 8:46 remaining in the half. Trevor Johnson stripped Cyclone quarterback Austin Flynn which Benard Thomas recovered at the ISU 21-yard line. Lord, who completed 2-of-3 passes for 19 yards and rushed for 46 yards on five carries, found Matt Herian for a 16-yard completion to the ISU 5-yard line before Davis capped the drive with runs of four and one yard, leaping over the pile for his fourth score of the season.

Nebraska continues Big 12 action next Saturday, Nov. 1, when it travels to Texas. The game will be televised by ABC at 11 a.m. (CST).