Dylan Raiola handed for 185 yards and a landing, Nebraska turned a dominating defensive efficiency into a giant early lead, and the Cornhuskers went on to beat Colorado 28-10 in a recreation that become a slog within the second half Saturday evening.

The Huskers (2-0) sacked Shedeur Sanders 5 occasions and pressured him all through whereas successful the ultimate assembly of a four-game home-and-home sequence. The Buffaloes (1-1) had gained the primary three.

Nebraska followers had this recreation circled on their calendars since final yr’s 36-14 loss in Boulder, and there was a palpable big-game vibe within the lead-up to kickoff between the outdated Massive Eight-Massive 12 rivals.

Nebraska’s 1994 nationwide championship crew and undefeated world boxing champion and Omaha resident Terence Crawford led the Huskers onto the sphere.

And although the present packages are far faraway from the place they have been 30 years in the past — when Nebraska gained a matchup of top-three groups right here on its strategy to Tom Osborne’s first title — there have been hints of the previous for the Huskers with their amped sellout crowd and stout protection. The coed part got here operating onto the sphere when the sport ended.

The Buffs did not report a primary down till their fifth possession, netted minus-2 yards within the first quarter and completed with 260. Ty Robinson’s sack compelled a three-and-out on Colorado’s game-opening sequence, and later he blocked Alejandro Mata’s 29-yard field-goal strive. The Buffs additionally acquired stuffed on fourth-and-1, twice, and Tommi Hill picked off Sanders’ move from the tip zone for a simple 7-yard pick-6.

Dante Dowdell, who completed with 74 yards, ran for touchdowns of 12 and 1 yard, and the Huskers had success when CU linebacker LaVonta Bentley bobbled what appeared like a certain interception and Rahmir Johnson swiped it away for an 18-yard landing.

The Huskers’ 28-0 halftime lead was their largest because it led Northwestern 35-7 in 2021. The Buffs hadn’t been held scoreless in a gap half since they trailed Oregon 35-0 final yr.

Mata’s 27-yard area objective and Sanders’ 5-yard TD move to LaJohntay Webster acquired the Buffs inside 18 factors halfway by way of the fourth quarter.

Nebraska went right into a shell offensively after constructing its huge lead after which acquired sloppy with 4 holding calls, a false begin, unlawful block and delay of recreation — all within the second half.

THE TAKEAWAY

Colorado: The Buffs proceed to have issues with offensive line play and self-discipline. Sanders was sacked 5 occasions and hurried 9 and the run recreation was just about nonexistent. Linebacker Trevor Woods was ejected for focusing on, there was a private foul, roughing the passer and two move interference flags.

Nebraska: This one was all about protection. The Huskers shut down the Buffs’ explosive offense for lengthy stretches and have held 9 straight opponents to 24 factors or much less, their longest streak since a 14-game stretch over the 2009-10 seasons.

UP NEXT

Colorado: visits Colorado State on Saturday.

Nebraska: hosts Northern Iowa on Saturday.

By ERIC OLSON