NEBRASKA 14 (3-3, 2-1), RUTGERS 13 (3-3, 0-3)
SHI STADIUM • PISCATAWAY, N.J.
OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ATTENDANCE: 53,752
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football (3-3, 0-3) dropped a tough 14-13 decision to Nebraska (3-3, 2-1) on Friday night at a sold-out SHI Stadium. The Scarlet Knights shutout the Cornhuskers in the first half and forced two turnovers in the primetime matchup, but a fourth-quarter touchdown by NU was the difference in the game.
RU's defense registered two interceptions from DBs
Christian Braswell and
Max Melton, with Melton also adding a blocked punt on special teams. LB
Deion Jennings led the team with a career-high 11 tackles.
On offense, QB
Noah Vedral produced a 21-yard rushing touchdown and PK
Jude McAtamney hit two field goals.
Rutgers opened the game with a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 21-yard rushing touchdown by Vedral for a quick 7-0 lead. Vedral found WR
Shameen Jones for a 33-yard completion on the drive for the first big pass play of the night.
After both squads traded possessions, Melton recorded his second blocked punt of the season, which was recovered by RB
Parker Day and returned to the Cornhuskers' nine-yard line. McAtamney then drilled a 25-yard field goal to give the Scarlet Knights a 10-0 with 2:29 left in the quarter.
RU closed out the first quarter with an interception from Braswell to keep Nebraska off the board in the first 15 minutes of play.
Rutgers defense registered another strong quarter to hold the Cornhuskers off the board in the first half. McAtamney added his second field goal of the night – this one from 40 yards out – with 6:30 left before halftime. Melton then intercepted Nebraska QB Casey Thompson on the ensuing possession, as RU headed to the locker room with a 13-0 lead.
Nebraska scored the only touchdown in the third, but Rutgers made a statement on defense to end the quarter. With the Cornhuskers' going for it on fourth-and-one from the Scarlet Knights' 27-yard line, Jennings defended a pass intended for Marcus Washington to turnover the ball on downs heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Cornhuskers added a touchdown to take their first lead of the game with 8:54 let in the game, as Thompson found WR Trey Palmer for a touchdown pass to make it 14-13 in favor of NU.
The Scarlet Knights got the ball back with 1:03 left in the game, but an interception by Nebraska would close out the game.
Rutgers has its open week before returning to action Oct. 22 versus Indiana at SHI Stadium. Kickoff for the 88th annual Homecoming game is set for noon.
Gallery: (10-7-2022) Football vs. Nebraska (10/7/22)
