PECULIAR PLAY

We’ll never know what Nebraska had planned for that fourth down and 1 with 1:45 left before halftime. Whatever it was, it had to be something pretty innovative. The Huskers lined up in a power formation, but emptied the backfield and sent all three tight ends out wide before quarterback Zac Lee began his cadence. Were they really going to pass the ball? Who knows? Left tackle Mike Smith was whistled for a false start (his second of the drive) before Lee could get the snap. Nebraska lined up for a punt after the penalty was marked off.

WHAT WAS THAT?

Midway through the second quarter, junior Niles Paul fielded a punt and sprinted up field, covering 28 yards before he was brought down by the Wildcats. But a yellow penalty flag lay on the field. Usually, that’s the sign of a play-nullifying mistake. In this case, though, an Arizona defender was called for an illegal block in the back, even though his team’s objective was not to block, but to tackle. You don’t see that penalty called on the kicking team very often.

NOTICED

Cody Green and the offensive unit didn’t look entirely comfortable toward the end of their first series. They used a timeout to avoid the expiration of the play clock. Timing was off on a simple out pattern — so much so that Arizona almost intercepted the pass. On that incompletion, Nebraska was called for an illegal procedure, a 5-yard penalty that would have put the Huskers in a third and 13 situation. With a rattled QB and a 17-point lead, Nebraska probably would have run some safe play, like a shovel pass or a draw. But Mike Stoops declined the flag and Alex Henery nailed a 50-yard field goal.

RAVE REVIEW

There were legitimate questions about this team’s focus, considering the heartbreaking finish against Texas. Nebraska players and coaches made assurances that a Longhorn hangover wasn’t likely — but you still had to wonder. Until the Holiday Bowl, that is. The Huskers jumped on Arizona from the get-go, putting together one of their most dominating performances of the season. Credit goes to the players. In all aspects, they were impressive. It should provide a considerable momentum boost heading into 2010.

— Jon Nyatawa

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