Tom’s Takes: Nebraska is 3 wins away from a bowl — but the bar is raised next week
Nebraska #Nebraska
Sam McKewon, with the Omaha World-Herald, breaks down the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway on Friday, October 7, 2022. Nebraska won the game 14-13.
1. Halfway through this season Nebraska is 3-3 and yes, three wins from bowl eligibility. That seems like a crazy sentence to write, but as we have seen, anything is possible in the Big Ten West. NU has found ways to win consecutive games over Indiana and Rutgers. This was the stretch where you figured Nebraska would have to make hay. The bar gets raised next week at sold-out Purdue. But who knows? What I know is that the three remaining home game atmospheres, against Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, are going to be fun. Maybe the most fun and intrigue that’s been here in a long time.
2. I thought Matt Davison would exit the Husker radio booth but I’m a little surprised at the timing. Even though Davison announced his departure from the athletic department this week, I thought he might finish out the season. Now there’s an interim color analyst, too, and maybe with a season-long audition like Mickey Joseph. Who’s up next? Steve Taylor or Jeremiah Sirles come to mind. Perhaps it’s finally time for Damon Benning, who just joined Hurrdat Media, to get a shot.
People are also reading…
3. Trey Palmer did it again, just like I predicted back after his splash debut in Ireland. Palmer has made decisive touchdown catches the last two weeks. I just thought he’d have more. Through six games, the LSU transfer has 40 catches with three touchdowns. And Palmer has had two games with eight catches and one with 10 (Oklahoma). He had four on Friday night. It just doesn’t seem like enough for a superb talent like that. Hey, he’s been enough to win the last two games. Maybe the show is just starting.
Take advantage of this offer today at Omaha.com/subscribe
Photos: Nebraska football vs. Rutgers
Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) celebrates with teammates after his touchdown during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Marcus Washington (7) rushes during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) makes a catch in the end zone past Rutgers’ Kessawn Abraham (5) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) passes the ball during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Nick Henrich (42) starts to lose his helmet while taking down Rutgers’ Noah Vedral (0) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Sean Ryan (5) makes a catch with Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog (13) trailing behind during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Noah Vedral (0) is brought down by Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and Caleb Tannor (2) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph runs onto the field during a break during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
A punt by Nebraska’s Brian Buschini (95) is blocked by Rutgers’ Max Melton (16) and recovered by Rutgers’ Parker Day (33) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Christian Braswell (6) makes an interception ahead of Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (0) trips up near Rutgers’ Max Melton (16) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Christian Braswell (6) comes away with an interception during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple talk on the sideline after an interception during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) catches the ball ahead of Rutgers’ Max Melton (16) during their game on Friday in Piscataway. The play was called by for offensive pass interference.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans watch the game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Caleb Tannor (2) and Omar Brown (12) try to take down Rutgers’ Al-Shadee Salaam (26) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Noah Vedral (11) passes the ball during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers’ Shameen Jones (7) rushes during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans watch the game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) is pushed out of bounds by Rutgers’ Avery Young (2) during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) rushes during their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (1) and Myles Farmer (8) warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutger’s Noah Vedral (0) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska interim defensive coordinator Bill Busch watches his team warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple watches his team warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (0) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) takes the field ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Jospeh watches his team warm up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutger’s Noah Vedral (0) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
The Rutgers marching band performs ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts arrives ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Christopher Morava, 9, talks to his dad, Devin Morava, of Chappell, Neb., ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans arrive ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Cindy Sark, of Denver, Colo., and Amy Belt, of St. Cloud, Fla., take photos as the Nebraska buses arrive ahead of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday. Belt is the mother of Nebraska wide receiver Brody Belt (32), and Sark is his aunt.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano with his team before the start of their game on Friday in Piscataway.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Laura Buchman and Edward Duncklee attend the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game in Piscataway on Friday.
ANNA REED THE WORLD-HERALD
Get started
Get local news delivered to your inbox!