Huskers drop season opener in Ireland to Northwestern, 31-28

DUBLIN (WOWT) - Nebraska fans, it’s finally here: The Huskers will take the field an ocean away late Saturday morning — Lincoln time — and get this highly anticipated 2022 football season underway.

About 10,000 Nebraska fans were expected to be at Aviva Stadium in downtown Dublin rooting on their Huskers on Saturday afternoon.

FIRST QUARTER

Nebraska strikes on their opening drive of the game with a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Casey Thompson to New Mexico State transfer wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda. Huskers get on the board first, 7-0.

Northwestern is able to put up their first points of the season with a 35-yard field goal off the foot of Jack Olsen. Nebraska leads, 7-3.

SECOND QUARTER

Huskers cap off a 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run on the quarterback keeper from Thompson. Nebraska extends its lead to 14-3.

Wildcats get their first touchdown with a 43-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Hilinski to receiver Raymond Niro III. Northwestern cuts Nebraska’s lead to 4.

Next possession, the Thompson completes a 24-yard pass to Garcia-Castaneda, however Garcia-Castaneda fumbles and Greyson Metz recovers it on the Wildcats’ 11-yard line.

With 25 seconds left in the first half, Northwestern scores on a 6-yard pass from Hilinski to wide receiver Donny Navarro III. Wildcats take the lead 17-14.

Huskers attempt a 56-yard field goal from Brendan Franke, but it’s no good. Wildcats go into halftime with the lead, 17-14.

HALFTIME

The Internet is down at Aviva Stadium and the venue is giving out free alcohol.

THIRD QUARTER

New Mexico Military Institute running back transfer Anthony Grant caps off an 88-yard Huskers drive with a 3-yard touchdown. Nebraska takes back the lead, 21-17.

Ensuing possession, defensive back Marques Buford Jr. forces a fumble on Northwestern’s Cam Porter. Huskers recover on the Wildcats’ 46. Two plays later, Grant takes it 46 yards to the house for back-to-back touchdowns. Nebraska extends their lead, 28-17.

After an attempted onside kick for the Huskers, Northwestern responds with a 44-yard drive resulting in a 3-yard touchdown run from Porter to cut Nebraska’s lead to 4.

FOURTH QUARTER

Northwestern opens up the fourth quarter with a missed 36-yard field attempt from Adam Stage.

Huskers get the ball back, however, not for long. Thompson is intercepted by defensive back Cameron Mitchell who returns it 33 yards to Nebraska’s 42 yard line. Ensuing possession, Wildcats capitalize on the turn over with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Evan Hull to take the lead, 31-28.

With under two minutes left in the game, Thompson is intercepted by linebacker Xander Mueller sealing the Wildcats win. Northwestern defeats Nebraska by a final score of 31-28.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

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Huskers award Blackshirts, get down to business in Ireland

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