Week 3 College Football Review; Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Iowa St. Notch Wins

Nebraska beat the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 42-13, in Lincoln, washing out some of the taste from NU's 36-30 loss to UCLA the previous week. We talked with Greg Sharpe of the Cornhusker’s Radio Network about a handful of pregame issues including the defense and turnovers in preparation of BIG 10 play.

For one game, the Blackshirts answered the call. Arkansas State’s first touchdown didn’t come until the third quarter, and it was the Red Wolves’ defense that scored it. Tackling technique looked significantly better and the Blackshirts seemed better able to pursue sideline-to-sideline and defend against the misdirection. Nebraska ended up surrendering 285 total yards and no offensive touchdowns.

In the second half, Nebraska got bit by the turnover bug. Taylor Martinez fumbled twice, once off a blind-side hit and once on what appeared to be a miscommunication with running back Braylon Heard on a zone read.

Ameer Abdullah let a punt bounce and graze his foot, giving Arkansas State the ball inside Nebraska’s 20. And, at the end of the game, Mike Marrow coughed up the ball in what seemed to be the Football Gods not wanting Nebraska to run up the score.

Arkansas State scored 10 of its 13 points off those turnovers. If Nebraska is as wasteful with the ball in future games, it will pay a heavy price.

Next three games for Nebraska, hosting Idaho St, Wisconsin and at Ohio State.

It wasn’t perfect, but the Iowa Hawkeyes played their most complete game of the season and avoided back-to-back losses at home to in-state rivals by defeating  the Valley’s Northern Iowa 27-16.

It is a unique challenge playing a dangerous FCS team, and Northern Iowa certainly fits that description.  The Panthers went into Camp Randall Stadium, one of the conference’s toughest venues, and gave the defending Big Ten champions all they could handle in the first week of the season.

Quarterback James Vandenberg still has not thrown for a touchdown in 12 quarters of play this season, but he did look more comfortable on Saturday than in his previous two games.For the first time since 2008, the University of Minnesota football team is 3-0. The latest victory was a 28-23 win Saturday over visiting Western Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium.

Quarterback MarQueis Gray left the game with a high ankle sprain and did not return, but sophomore Max Shortell stepped in admirably. Meanwhile, the Gophers defense did enough to hang on.

The Gophers don't want to talk about a quarterback controversy as they prepare to host Syracuse next Saturday night at the Bank.

Steele Jantz threw three touchdown passes and James White ran 56 yards for another score, leading Iowa State to a 37-3 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday night.

Penalties and turnovers frustrated Iowa State at times, but the Cyclones still had enough to overpower their FCS opponent and start 3-0 for the second straight year and sixth time since 1981. Four of the five previous 3-0 starts led to bowl appearances.

While never in danger during the game, Iowa State still has a lot to clean up before its Big 12 opener against Texas Tech on Sept. 29. The Cyclones were penalized seven times for 75 yards and were minus-three in turnovers - two interceptions and a fumble.

The Cyclones have time to get that work done because they're off next weekend.