The 22nd-ranked Northwestern Wildcats used a furious third quarter rally to overtake the 17th-ranked Utah Utes, 31-20. Led by a defense that forced timely turnovers and 2018 SDCCU Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP Clayton Thorson, the Wildcats scored 28 unanswered points in the third stanza. DraftNasty's Corey Chavous takes us inside the game with this photo collage.
Scott Frost will attempt to complete his second redemption story in as many seasons. Last year, Frost led UCF to a 13-0 record and a bowl game victory against Auburn following a 6-7 season in 2016. The former Cornhuskers quarterback will guide a Nebraska squad which finished 4-8 in 2017. The Cornhuskers aren't as talented as they were in the eighties, but they do have a few skill position players to rely on in Frost's spread offense. Junior running back Tre Bryant (5'11, 201) and senior wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. (6'1, 201) will be counted on to serve as gamechangers. Bryant returns to the Cornhuskers after missing 10 games last season with a knee injury. However, in just two games of action, Bryant totaled 299 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Oregon and Arkansas State. Defensively, sophomore defensive lineman Ben Stille(6'5, 290) will be counted on to stuff the run and rush the passer after making an impact in his freshman season. Stille finished with 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2017. Frost doesn't have the talent that he had last year at UCF and the Cornhuskers face a tough schedule, but the new head coach does have enough pieces to lay the foundation for the future.
Troy's player to watch
8 Stanley Morgan, Jr. 6'1 200 WR-Senior
Morgan, Jr. enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, posting 986 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The senior wide receiver recorded 259 yards against Penn State and Iowa, two of the best pass defenses in the Big Ten, to end the season. Morgan, Jr. is able to make catches in traffic, reminiscent of Odell Beckham Jr., another New Orleans native. He has the size and speed that will make him a candidate to go in the first three rounds of the draft after the season.
Game of the season
September 15 against Troy
The Troy Trojans are coming off an 11-2 season and a 7-1 conference record in the Sun Belt. Scott Frost will have to navigate an early non-conference slip-up against the Trojans, who will be prepared for FBS competition. In Week 1, Troy will play Boise State. Don't expect the Trojans to come into Lincoln wide-eyed, and this Week 3 matchup should provide a close contest for the Cornhuskers.
DraftNasty's Prospect Watch
24 Aaron Williams 5'11 195 DB-Senior
Williams has shown an ability to come under control to make inside-out sideline tackles. He has also shown requisite skill when it comes
Williams has notched five interceptions and one touchdown during his three-year stint in Lincoln.
to filling on as an eighth man in the box. His overall thump as a tackler is just adequate and some of this has to do with average size. For him to get looks from NFL scouts next spring, he has to improve in coverage. Quicker wide receivers have given him problems in man-to-man coverage.
Prediction: 4-8
Draftnasty's Troy Jefferson is projecting a tough season for Scott Frost in Year 1. The Cornhuskers may be improved on the field from last year but the schedule doesn't do Nebraska any favors. Jefferson is predicting losses against Troy, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa.
nd 10 touchdowns. The senior wide receiver recorded 259 yards against Penn State and Iowa, two of the best pass defenses in the Big Ten, to end the season. Morgan, Jr. is able to make catches in traffic, reminiscent of Odell Beckham Jr., another New Orleans native. He has the size and speed that will make him a candidate to go in the first three rounds of the draft after the season.