Nebraska Rolls Past North Dakota 34-7, Finishes Non-Conference Slate Undefeated

Nebraska improved to 3-0 with a 34-7 win over North Dakota, though tight end Carter Nelson will miss the Michigan State game with a knee injury.

Nebraska defeated North Dakota 34-7 on Saturday, completing a 3-0 run through its non-conference schedule. The Cornhuskers converted 7 of 15 third downs, allowed no sacks, and posted a 75% red zone touchdown rate while holding North Dakota to 99 rushing yards.

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea's mobility was a factor in the clean sack column, and the offense spread its explosive plays across the full game and among multiple contributors. Through three games, Nebraska's play selection is nearly even between run and pass, at 50.6% to 49.4%, with 56% of the yardage against North Dakota coming on the ground.

The defense recorded five sacks and stopped a fourth-down attempt inside the 10, the program's first red zone scoring stop in more than a year after opponents had scored on 39 consecutive trips. The lone North Dakota touchdown followed an unnecessary roughness penalty on Victor Evans that extended a drive on third-and-long.

Nebraska suffered one injury of note: tight end Carter Nelson hurt his knee late in the game and will miss the upcoming Michigan State contest. The injury is not an ACL tear, and no timeline beyond this week was given.

Punter Archie Wilson, averaging 39.5 yards on six punts this season, has drawn criticism from fans, but none of his punts has been returned, and he pinned North Dakota inside the 10 on a 33-yard punt from the Nebraska 43. The team has also missed both of its field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards this season.