Nebraska Post-Game Notes
Nebraska vs. Purdue, Nov. 1, 2014
- Nebraska improved to 8-1 on the season and 4-1 in Big Ten Conference play. This marks Nebraska’s first 8-1 start since 2011 and just the second for Nebraska since 2001. The Huskers have a 4-1 Big Ten record through five league games for the third straight year and the fourth time in five seasons.
- The Huskers improved to 6-0 at Memorial Stadium in 2014, including 3-0 in Big Ten play, marking the 23rd time in 29 seasons Nebraska has won at least six home games. Nebraska is 12-3 in home Big Ten Conference games since 2011. Nebraska improved to 20-6 in the month of November under Bo Pelini.
- Nebraska had two blocked punts in today’s game, both in the first half. It marked the first time Nebraska has blocked two punts in a game since blocking two against Iowa State on Oct. 25, 2003. Each of the blocked punts led to touchdowns for Nebraska.
- Nebraska freshman safety Kieron Williams blocked a first-quarter Purdue punt. The blocked punt was Nebraska’s first since Brandon Reilly had a blocked punt at Penn State last season. Nebraska scored two plays later to take a 7-0 lead in the game.
- Sophomore receiver Brandon Reilly blocked a Purdue punt in the second quarter, marking Reilly’s second career blocked punt. He also blocked a punt at Penn State last season.
- The Nebraska defense forced Purdue to three-and-out on each of its first four possessions. The Boilermakers converted just 2-of-16 third-down conversions, including 1-of-8 in the first half. Nebraska entered the game ranked sixth nationally in third-down defense. Purdue was 1-of-6 on fourth down on the afternoon.
- Purdue completed just 18-of-46 passes in today’s game, marking the fifth straight game opposing passers have completed less than 50 percent of their passes. Nebraska entered today’s game third in the country in opponent passing percentage at 48.1 percent.
- Sophomore safety Nate Gerry intercepted a Purdue pass in the second quarter, marking Gerry’s team-leading fourth interception of the game. Gerry has an interception in three consecutive games and four of five Big Ten Conference games.
- Sophomore defensive tackle Maliek Collins finished with five tackles, including a nine-yard sack in the first quarter. He also added three of Nebraska’s nine quarterback hurries.
- Junior defensive end Randy Gregory had three quarterback hurries in today’s game, increasing his team leading total to 14. Gregory also had four tackles and a pass breakup.
- Senior cornerback Josh Mitchell had three pass breakups in today’s game, increasing his total this season to a team-high 11. Mitchell increased his career pass breakup total to 23 to move into the top 10 on the NU career PBU list. Mitchell also produced two sacks for 14 yards after entering the game with one career sack.
- Junior defensive back Byerson Cockrell recorded his first interception of the season in the second quarter of today’s game.
- Senior receiver Kenny Bell caught one pass for five yards. Bell increased his career receiving yardage total to 2,478 yards, moving him past Nate Swift 2,476 for second on Nebraska’s career receiving yardage chart. Bell is now two yards shy of breaking Johnny Rodgers’ (2,479) school record. Bell has now caught a pass in 24 straight games, the third-longest streak in school history, bettering his own 23-game streak. Bell has had at least one catch in 46 of the past 47 games.
- Nebraska junior I-back Imani Cross rushed 20 times for 66 yards, including a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a one-yard TD in the third quarter. With his two scores today, Cross has five rushing touchdowns this season and 22 in his career. The two-TD effort marked the sixth multiple-TD game of Cross’ career, including two rushing touchdowns last season at Purdue.
- Nebraska freshman receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El had a 17-yard touchdown reception to open the scoring. He finished with three receptions for 49 yards. Pierson-El also had 45 yards on three punt returns, including a 42-yard return in the first quarter. With his 45 return yards today, Pierson-El has 441 punt return yards this season moving him up to sixth place on the NU single-season punt return yardage list.
- Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed 8-of-21 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. Armstrong increased his season passing total to 1,827 yards, moving him within 198 yards of the top 10 on the NU single-season passing list (Joe Dailey 10th, 2,025). Armstrong has 2,793 career passing yards, moving him within 55 yards of the top 10 on the Nebraska career passing chart (Jammal Lord 10th, 2,848).
- Armstrong rushed seven times for 70 yards, giving him 188 yards of total offense. With his 188 yards today, Armstrong moved his season total to 2,398 total yards good for the No. 9 position on the Nebraska single-season total offense list. Armstrong entered the game ranked No. 15 on the single-season list.
- Nebraska’s starting field position in today’s game was the Nebraska 49-yard line, while Purdue’s starting field position was its own 28. The Huskers have had the starting field position advantage in eight of nine games this season. In the first half, Nebraska had a 22-yard advantage in starting field position (N 48-P 26).
- Sophomore punter Sam Foltz punted six times for a 43.2-yard average in today’s game. Foltz had three punts of over 50 yards today, including a season-long 62-yard punt in the first quarter. He also pinned the Boilermakers inside their own 20 three times today, and inside the 10 twice. Foltz has placed 19-of-39 punts this season inside the opponent’s 20.