The Nebraska Cornhuskers head into this season after a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, but that didn't stop them from scoring their first touchdown of the season on a somewhat botched play.
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Facing off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Week 1, the Cornhuskers were down 3-0 with about 14 minutes to go in the third quarter.
Quarterback Jeff Sims, a junior transfer from Georgia Tech, was lined up under the center, took the snap, tossed it right to running back Gabe Ervin Jr., and instead of a typical run play, Ervin Jr. passed the ball across the field back to Sims.
Unfortunately, Sims couldn't catch the ball. It hit the ground, but after two bounces off the turf, Sims picked the ball up near the left sideline and tossed it from the Minnesota 40-yard line to an uncovered Alex Bullock, one of the team's wide receivers in the end zone.
Here's how the play looks on film, thanks to FOX College Football's Twitter account.
Just the way it was drawn up 😅@HuskerFootball scores its first TD of the season and takes the lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ksuT3lEABR
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 1, 2023
What a play. It looked like it could've gone poorly, but Sims rebounded well.
After this, the Cornhuskers scored a field with 12:42 to go in the game and were up 10-3. Not only was the Week 1 of the season, but it was also the first game that new head coach Matt Rhule, formerly of the Carolina Panthers, was coaching.
However, Nebraska couldn't hold the lead. They allowed a 13-yard touchdown pass from Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to Daniel Jackson and kicked a field goal as time expired to steal a 13-10 win.
Nebraska isn't expected to be a talented bunch this season, but after pulling off that play, you'd like to see them and Rhule at least get the win here.
Sims finished the game completing 11-of-19 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown, and a miserable three interceptions. He somewhat made up for it with his legs, running for 91 yards on 19 carries.
If not for Sims' third interception on the Golden Gophers 46-yard line, we could've seen overtime between these two teams.
It'll be interesting to see if Sims continues to get the nod if he's that turnover-prone moving forward.
