After a very disappointing debut in Dublin, the Cornhuskers face the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks for the home season opener. A reverse trap game of sorts, we will find out a whole lot more about our Cornhuskers by the way this game goes. A loss might signal a loss of faith in Frost but a reboot may help us realize that Northwestern is a top opponent.

It is probably no surprise to you that Nebraska will win this week’s game to the University of North Dakota. The Huskers are favored by 21.5 points and it is the season home opener. But it may surprise you that this match-up will most likely result in an occasional disappointment in our defense again for the second week in a row. Think of the 2021 Fordham game, a 52-7 rout that for all intents and purposes led Huskers Nation to bemoan the inexcusable start. For North Dakota, if two of the four linebackers, who are from the State of Nebraska and are expected to start (#9 Marcus Vaughn-Jones, Sr. & #42 Kason Kelley, So.), can anchor and rise to the occasion for a defense that lost 2 defensive backs and 3 of 4 linebackers from it’s 2021 season, it will be a long or longer day for the Cornhuskers. Plus, don’t ever underestimate a team whose head coach’s name is Bubba (Schweigert), chances are he has seen enough football in his day to have seen everything and he is ready to prove his boys are ready to fight.

Tommy Schuster will be leading the Fighting Hawks offense in to Memorial Stadium with over 4,000 career passing yards over the past three years. The Macomb, Michigan native went 237 of 362 for 2,493 yards with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2021. Quincy Vaughn, is a formidable quarterback as well and will force Nebraska to scout multiple quarterbacks in preparation. The Fighting Hawks offensive line will have to replace left tackle, Matt Waletzko, a fifth round draft pick who is currently on the Dallas Cowboy roster. However, the offensive line has four guys with plenty of playing experience and ability to move some people around and three transfers that are more than capable to fill the fifth and sixth spots. Isaiah Smith replaces Otis Weah at running back with a 6.85 yard average per carry. The combination of an excellently coached OL and talent and experience in the skill positions will push a hungry Nebraska defense this week.

The Fighting Hawks defense returns three starters on the front and standout linebacker Devon Krzanowski. Three linebacker roles and two defensive backs have to be replaced this season. Two of those roles at linebacker will allow two Omaha natives to have their dreams realized by playing in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, albeit for an opposing team. For me, I am looking for play by the Sophomore Kason Kelley (#42) from Millard North who may want to come into the game and outperform the year older Cornhuskers’ Henrich (#42) from Burke. Nebraska’s offense will be too much for the Fighting Hawks, but they will cause enough problems and be competitive early on to make the Cornhuskers restless.

The Fighting Hawks come to Memorial Stadium without the apprehension that one might expect from a smaller school like that. In 2018 they went to play #9 Washington, in 2017 it was Utah, and last year it was Utah State. However, the Huskers are a little beat up emotionally and perhaps mentally entering this game, making them vulnerable to an upset. I just don’t think the Fighting Hawks have the depth to compete, but they have the talent to be competitive. I would not be surprised if this ended up being an upset, however I think that comes next week and not this week. I am predicting a 45-17 Cornhuskers victory! #GBR

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Categories: 2022

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