Lincoln – I-backImani Cross rushed for 100 yards and two scores, while Nebraska’s four quarterbacks combined for 356 yards and three touchdowns, as the Red team won the annual Red/White Spring Game with a 55-46 victory Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The game featured a modified scoring system with points for both offensive and defensive plays, as the top units faced off against each other during the contest played in front of 61,772 fans.
Fans can watch the Red/White Spring Game tonight on BTN at 7 p.m. (CT) and statewide on NET Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Cross, who played only the first half, needed just six carries to reach the 100-yard mark, scoring on runs of 20 and 39 yards. While All-America I-back Ameer Abdullah saw limited action, Jordan Nelson and Terrell Newby rushed for 54 and 51 yards, respectively.
Johnny Stanton and Ryker Fyfe continued their battle for the No. 2 spot behind Tommy Armstrong, as the duo combined to go 17-of-24 for 224 yards and three scores. Stanton completed 8-of-12 passes for 135 yards, including scoring strikes to Kevin Gladney (48 yards) and Jamal Turner (25 yards), while Fyfe completed 9-of-12 passes for 89 yards, including a five-yard pass to Taariq Allen.
The White team (defense) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on the first offensive series, as Nate Gerry intercepted an Armstrong pass. The Red squad came right back on its next possession, going 70 yards in 11 plays, capped by a five-yard pass from Fyfe to Allen.
The White team regained the lead with three straight defensive stops to take a 12-8 lead, but the Red team (offense) marched 70 yards in seven plays, including a 20-yard catch by Kenny Bell, before Cross raced into the end zone for his first score of the day to end the first quarter with the Red team leading 17-13.
After an interception by Anthony Ridder gave the White team a seven-point lead, Cross took over, as the 6-foot-1, 230-pound I-back keyed a three-play scoring drive with an 18-yard run before his 39-yard scamper to paydirt provided the Reds with a 25-20 lead. Two possessions later, the Reds extended their lead to 34-21, as Stanton found Gladney for a 58-yard TD pass on the final play of the half.
The Whites pulled within 34-24 after a three-and-out fueled by a Greg McMullen sack, but the Reds answered by going 70 yards on eight plays, as Stanton completed four straight passes, including a 25-yarder to Turner to make it 41-24. The Reds put the game out of reach later in the quarter as Newby capped an 11-play drive with a one-yard TD run.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by the defense, which outscored the offense, 15-3, including an interception by Josh Bandaras and a sacks by Marcus Newby and Logan Rath.
On the day, the Blackshirts had six sacks and three interceptions, as redshirt freshman Erik Evans had a game-high nine tackles, including two for losses, while defensive end Jack Gangwash added eight stops, including a sack.
The Huskers begin their 125th season of football on Saturday, Aug. 30, as Nebraska hosts Florida Atlantic in the season opener at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff time and television information will be announced later this spring, but the game will be carried across the state on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network.