Newby helps Riley get 1st win at Nebraska, 48-9 over Jaguars

Physicality. Imposition of will. Pad level.

The Huskers next take on the Miami Hurricanes in Miami.

No fuss. Plenty of muscle. “It came one week late but I’m glad to get here”. However, the coaching staff could be saving some of the playbook for future games.

Consider his 28-carry, 198-yard performance a down payment, his first workhorse moment. “But I’m kind of feeling the side effects”.

Of the nine UAB transfers now on South Alabama’s roster, six started in last week’s season opener. “I’m proud of him”. “He’s not a run-around guy”, Nebraska defensive line coach Hank Hughes said. “Tough kid”.

Hovey, who had two catches for a then-career high 35 yards on Nebraska’s opening drive of the game, teamed with Newby to cover all 75 yards of the Huskers’ first possession.

Newby also had two catches for 38 yards to finish with 236 yards of total offense.

Xavier Johnson was apparently suspended for the first quarter, but still ended up being the Jaguars’ leading rusher with 28 yards on seven carries. Gates drove his linebacker as far down the field at Newby chugged. His third TD came on an 8-yard run.

In Nebraska’s first game against BYU, Armstrong completed passes to eight different receivers, despite relentless pressure. Newby zipped in practically untouched.

“We’ve felt Terrell is our first-string back, and we thought it might be best just to let him play”, Riley said.

“I understand the great history of this game and some of the historical ramifications of the game against Miami, being played for national championships”, Riley said. “I think that was a good decision for us”.

Well, except the Jaguars (1-1). “We were really anxious about their size”.

“We’ve got a lot of talent”, Armstrong said. The Huskers racked up 561 yards for the night and averaged 7.5 yards per play. Yes, the Bulldogs did run more triple-option than expected, which can be tricky for any defense, let alone in a first game.

On a fourth-down play, Rose-Ivey crackled through the offense line and speared South Alabama quarterback Cody Clements into the ground. Clements hit a few, and South Alabama passed for 313 yards on the night.

Nebraska led 24-0 at halftime.

Way too often against South Alabama, the Husker defensive backs got beaten on a deep throw. If only for one night, the first-year starter made it his mission to prove that conversation hollow.

“It’s very frustrating because it’s always the goal to put it in the end zone”, Clements said.

“Sam Cotton has done a nice job this week of getting ready to play”, Riley said. He got that win the way most NU teams have churned out most wins – on the ground.

“Now it will be important to maintain”, he said. “And continue to do that”. “Obviously, the competition will grow”.