Filed by Jon Nyatawa at 7:18 p.m.
A touchdown would have been nice, but Kansas State probably won't complain about the way it started tonight's game.
The Wildcats drove 58 yards on 10 plays in a little over five minutes, taking an early lead with a 44-yard field goal by kicker Josh Cherry.
No surprise here. Kansas State ran the ball seven times and passed it just twice. The Wildcats' likely goal is to stay close and avoid any major momentum shifts that might fuel this energetic crowd.
But Nebraska's offense managed an answer of its own, mixing runs and play-action passes effectively enough to move the ball 56 yards. The Huskers converted three third downs and tied the game with Alex Henery's 34-yard field goal.
Other observations after one quarter:
-- Sophomore right tackle Marcel Jones appears to have injured his ankle. He's limping on the sideline. Junior D.J. Jones, who has played often this year, has replaced him on the field.
-- Junior Anthony West got the start at cornerback over Alfonzo Dennard, who's been hampered by a strained shoulder since the Oct. 17 loss against Texas Tech. Dennard is suited up, but hasn't played yet.
-- Looks like Nebraska's defense will be playing a lot of nickel tonight. Linebackers Phillip Dillard and Will Compton were on the field on almost every play during Kansas State's first drive. Nebraska hasn't played much nickel during the past few weeks and occasionally, it appeared as if some of the players were a bit confused before the snap. Let's see if they get more comfortable as the game goes on.
-- So far, it looks like we're going to see the comfortable and poised version of junior Zac Lee tonight. The quarterback started the game 4-for-4, but his only miss was a costly one. Tight end Mike McNeill was running wide open in the end zone on third down. Lee's throw was too strong.
-- With two teams who like the run the ball, this game may go down as one of the quicker contests of the year. The clock isn't stopping too often tonight. With 1:39 left in the first quarter, Kansas State began the game's third possession.
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