Nebraska vs. Miami, Sept. 20, 2014
- Nebraska improved to 4-0 with tonight’s win marking the third time in seven seasons under Bo Pelini Nebraska has started 4-0 and the first time it has done so since 2011. Nebraska has completed non-conference play unbeaten for the 24th time since 1970. undefeated non-conference
- Nebraska took a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series with Miami, including a 4-0 record against the Hurricanes in Lincoln.
- Nebraska won for the 14th straight time in a night game at Memorial Stadium, and gives NU a 40-5 all-time record in home night games. Nebraska will host Illinois in a prime time game next week.
- Nebraska’s win was its 400th all-time victory at Memorial Stadium, making Nebraska the fifth school to win 400 games in its current stadium. Nebraska joins Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan and LSU on the list.
- Nebraska senior I-back Ameer Abdullah rushed a career-high 35 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a three-yard touchdown reception. Abdullah’s previous career high in carries was 31 against Penn State in 2012. The 229 rushing yards marked Abdullah’s second 200-yard rushing game of 2014, following a career-high 232 yards against Florida Atlantic. He also topped 200 yards with 225 yards last season against Illinois.
- With his 229 rushing yards tonight, Abdullah increased his career rushing total to 3,602 and moved into third place on the Nebraska career rushing list. Abdullah passed Roy Helu Jr. (3,404) and Eric Crouch (3,434) to move into the No. 3 spot. He now trails only Ahman Green (3,880) and 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier (4,780).
- Abdullah’s 229 rushing yards marked his nation-leading 20th career 100-yard rushing game. He is now tied with Ahman Green for second on the Nebraska career list for 100-yard rushing games, trailing only career leader Mike Rozier (26).
- In addition to his 229 rushing yards, Abdullah added three receiving yards and 81 kickoff return yards for a career-high 313 all-purpose yards, bettering his 252-yard effort against Wisconsin in 2012. Abdullah’s 313 all-purpose yards rank second on the Nebraska single-game all-purpose yardage list, and is the most by a Husker since Roy Helu Jr. had a school-record 321 all-purpose yards against Missouri on Oct. 30, 2010.
- Abdullah increased his career all-purpose yardage total to 5,762 yards and became Nebraska’s career all-purpose yards leader, passing 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers (5,586).
- Abdullah totaled 232 yards from scrimmage in tonight’s game, marking his nation-leading 17th straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.
- Abdullah’s three-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his second receiving touchdown of 2014 and the sixth of his career.
- Sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed 9-of-13 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Armstrong added 96 yards rushing on 13 carries.
- Nebraska rushed for 343 yards in tonight’s game, marking its second game this season with 300 or more rushing yards. Nebraska improved to 17-0 under Bo Pelini when rushing for 300 or more yards. Miami had allowed 268 total rushing yards in the first three games entering tonight’s contest.
- Senior receiver Kenny Bell caught four passes for 70 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7. Bell’s 40-yard touchdown catch was the 16th of his career, tying him with Maurice Purify for third on the Nebraska career touchdown receptions list. Bell’s 40-yard touchdown reception marked his 14th straight TD catch of at least 20 yards.
- With his four catches tonight, Bell increased his career total to 148 receptions, moving him within 18 catches of Nate Swift’s career record of 166 receptions. Bell also increased his receiving yardage total to 2,185, moving him within 294 yards of the Nebraska career receiving yardage record of 2,479 yards held by Johnny Rodgers.
- Senior defensive back Josh Mitchell returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Nebraska 31-21 lead. Mitchell’s fumble return for a touchdown was the first by a Husker since Austin Cassidy had an 11-yard fumble return for a touchdown at Minnesota on Oct. 22, 2011.It was the longest fumble return by a Husker since Ralph Brown had a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown at Kansas State in 1998.
- Nebraska’s 14-play, 79-yard scoring drive in the second quarter consumed 6:35, marking Nebraska’s longest scoring drive of the season in terms of plays and time.
- Nebraska dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 33:20, including 12:43 in the second quarter alone. Miami had 8:33 of time of possession and 18 snaps in the first quarter, and ran just 41 plays in the second and third quarter combined.
- Nebraska has scored a touchdown on its opening drive in three of four games this season.
- Nebraska junior linebacker David Santos registered his first career interception in the first quarter to end a Miami scoring threat.