Husker football falls to Minnesota in season opener

Nebraska enters the 2023 season with a new head coach, a new coaching staff, and many new players. But despite all the new, it seemed to be the same old Nebraska as the Huskers blew a 10-3 lead to Minnesota to fall 13-10 to open the year.

The Golden Gophers’ win came off the foot of Dragan Kesich, who nailed a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Kesich’s kick came following two straight Nebraska drives, resulting in turnovers and ten total points for Minnesota. The Huskers also suffered numerous penalties, suffering seven on the night, resulting in a loss of 55 total yards, including one on the goal line right before halftime.

Outside of that, it was a tense battle throughout. Only three points were scored in the first half, which was by Kesich to give Minnesota a 3-0 lead. Right before halftime, the Huskers attempted to score a touchdown with 11 seconds left. The choice resulted in an interception and no points, which came back to haunt Nebraska in the end.

But the Huskers opened the second half up with a bang. Rahmir Johnson kicked things off by returning the kickoff 65 yards to set his team up. Then, off a broken play, Jeff Sims took a botched lateral from Anthony Grant and found a wide-open Alex Bullock for a 34-yard touchdown.

Outside of three interceptions on the night, Sims went 11-of-19 through the air for 114 yards. He also rushed for 91 yards off 19 carries. Later in the game, Omar Brown snatched an interception, leading to Tristan Alvano extending Nebraska’s lead to 10-3 off a 27-yard field goal.

Then, with less than five minutes left, Grant fumbled, setting the Golden Gophers up near midfield. This led to Athan Kaliakmanis nailing a pass to Daniel Jackson on fourth down for a 13-yard touchdown, tying the game with 2:32 left.

Sims followed it up with a backbreaking interception with less than a minute left. It all culminated with a game-winning field goal by Kesich, sealing the defeat for the Huskers.

This is the fourth straight season Nebraska opens the season with a loss. The team’s next game will be at Colorado on Sept. 9. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and can be viewed on FOX.

Sims with the big run for the 1st down

Sims throws a pick, Minnesota takes over

Another pick from Sims to end the half, Minnesota up 3-0

Rahmir Johnson with a 65-yard return to start the second half

Broken play leads to wide open Bullock for touchdown

Omar Brown picks off Kaliakmanis in the redzone

True freshman Tristan Alvano nails a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-3 Nebraska

Grant fumbles the ball and Minnesota recovers

Minnesota on fourth down ties it at 10 with 2:32 left to go

Sims throws his third pick of the game with less than a minute

Minnesota for the win, 13-10 final in Minneapolis

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Story originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire