Late Nebraska surge sends KU to 31-17 defeat

What was once a season of high expectations continued to be one of broken dreams for KU.  The seniors said farewell in Lawrence with a hard fought loss to Nebraska 31-17 running their losing streak to 5 games.  


Nebraska scored on their first possession.  Roy Helu Jr. recovered a fumble by quarterback Zac Lee in the end zone to make it 7-0.

After a series of seven consecutive punts, the Huskers got back on the board after a 37 yard pass to Niles Paul to the KU nine.  The drive stalled and Alex Henery kicked a 25 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Nebraska.

Kansas responded with a 13 play 80 yard drive as Reesing ran in from five yards out on quarterback draw and the Husker lead was cut to 10-7.  It was the first rushing TD allowed in 14 quarters by Nebraska.

On the last possession of the half, KU drove to the Husker 16 and Jacob Branstetter hit a 33 yard FG as time expired and the score was tied at 10-all.

On the opening drive of the second half Kansas let a golden opportunity slip away when Reesing hit Kerry Meier crossing over the middle for a 16 gain.  As Meier cut inside the Nebraska 10, Dejon Gomes punched the ball loose from behind and the Huskers recovered on their own 4.

Nebraska then drove to the KU 11, but a tripping penalty and a Max Onyegbule sack of Lee at the KU 17 meant the Huskers had to settle for a field goal and a 13-10 lead..

The Cornhuskers tacked on another field goal to make it 16-10.  But Kansas responded with maybe their best drive of the year, 89 yards on 10 plays, with Reesing hitting Dezmon Briscoe for a 21 yard scoring strike with 7:34 to go and a 17-16 lead.

A poor decision by KU to pooch the kickoff led to a big return and set up Nebraska on the KU 31.  Then a critical facemask call gave Nebraska a first down followed by a Helu Jr. touchdown run of 20 yards and a 2 Point PAT made it 24-17 and when KU couldn’t get anything going, Nebraska ran down the clock with Helu Jr. scoring one last time with :29 seconds left.

The KU defense actually bottled up Nebraska for much of the game, but Helu piled up 156 yards rushing, all but 39 in the second half.

After a slow start Reesing played well and his line protected him all day.  Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh was never a factor.  The record setting senior QB was 19 of 41 for 236 yards and a TD pass and TD run.  He also rushed for 42 yards.  The loss drops KU to 5-5 with games against Texas and Missouri ahead.