Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Nebraska 42, Arkansas State 13

Why Arkansas State lost

An overwhelmed Arkansas State defense couldn’t keep Nebraska from moving the football and out of the end zone. Taylor Martinez was nearly perfect from the pocket, throwing 14 passes and completing 13 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Martinez also had one rushing touchdown, but it was Ameer Abdullah who commanded the ground with 167 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns.

Despite Nebraska turning the ball over three times in five minutes in the third quarter, Arkansas State only capitalized for 10 points.

The Red Wolves' 13 points came entirely from their defense and kicker Brian Davis, as ASU’s offense could never get put together a complete drive. Ryan Aplin finished with 121 yards on 14 of 28 attempts and was sacked twice. ASU had gone sack-free through its first two games.

Turning Point

Just like against Memphis last week, the Red Wolves gave up 14 points to start the game. After they gave up their third straight opening-drive score, the second of the game came with 30 seconds left in the first quarter when Martinez found Kenny Bell for a 42-yard touchdown. Bell would finish the game with two receiving touchdowns

Player of the game: Taylor Martinez

A week after not throwing a touchdown in Nebraska’s loss to UCLA, Martinez didn’t miss a target until the third quarter. He only had 14 attempts,  keeping it mostly a ground game Saturday, but Martinez still contributed there as well, running for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Turnovers

The Red Wolves almost gave the ball up to the Cornhuskers on three straight drives to begin the game. Coach Gus Malzahn chose to gamble on the first drive, going for and failing to get a first down on fourth and 8.

A drive later, ASU tried to go the trick play route with a Fredi Knighten receiving a pass from Aplin and then throwing downfield for an interception. It was Knighten’s first career pass attempt.