Nebraska struggled with many close losses in the 2015 season and finished the regular season with a 5–7 overall record, but was able to hand a playoff-bound and Big Ten champion Michigan State team their only loss of the regular season. Nebraska still qualified for a bowl game, one of three teams to do so with a 5–7 record (the others being in-conference rival Minnesota and San Jose State). This was due to the lack of six-wins teams to fill the 80 bowl slots in the FBS and because of their APR score in relation to other FBS teams that also had a 5–7 record.[1] The Huskers took on the UCLA Bruins in the Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, California and won 37–29 to end the season with a 6–7 record.
BYU snapped Nebraska's 29-game season-opening winning streak on a last-second 42-yard Hail Mary pass from backup quarterback Tanner Mangum to Mitch Mathews. This was Nebraska's first season opening loss since 1985. BYU outgained Nebraska in total offense 511 yards to 445 yards. Nebraska was led by Tommy Armstrong who went 24-of-41 through the air for 319 yards with three touchdown passes and 1 interception. Terrell Newby was the team's leading rusher with 46 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown and Jordan Westerkamp was the top Husker receiver with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Taysom Hill was 21-of-34 for 268 yards with a touchdown and an interception before being knocked out of the game. His backup, Tanner Mangum was 7-of-11 for 111 yards with the game-winning hail mary touchdown pass. Hill was the leading Cougar rusher with 83 yards and two scores and Nick Kurtz was the top BYU receiver with five catches for 123 yards.
Terrell Newby 8-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 14–0
2
7:06
Nebraska
Terrell Newby 8-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 21–0
2
0:00
Nebraska
Drew Brown 42-yard field goal
Nebraska 24–0
3
8:04
Nebraska
Imani Cross 9-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 31–0
3
6:04
South Alabama
Sunanon Aleem 36-yard field goal
Nebraska 31–3
4
14:51
Nebraska
Drew Brown 25-yard field goal
Nebraska 34–3
4
10:11
Nebraska
Jordan Westerkamp 21-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 41–3
4
8:30
Nebraska
Alonzo Moore 2-yard pass from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 48–3
4
3:36
South Alabama
Josh Magee 36-yard pass from Dallas Davis (TEAM rush failed)
Nebraska 48–9
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
First meeting
Nebraska used a balanced offensive effort and a stingy defense to put together four solid quarters of football in a 48–9 victory over South Alabama on Saturday night. Junior I-Back Terrell Newby raced to career highs with 28 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns on the night, he also hauled in two catches for 38 yards and another score in the win. Tommy Armstrong was 21-of-30 for 270 yards and two scores. Nebraska totaled 561 yards of offense in the game with 258 yards on the ground and 303 in the air. The Huskers held South Alabama to 332 total yards, with 313 through the air and limiting the Jaguars to just 19 total yards rushing.
Tyre Brady 11-yard pass from Brad Kaaya (Michael Badgley kick)
Miami 14–0
1
1:11
Miami
Michael Badgley 23-yard field goal
Miami 17–0
2
8:37
Nebraska
Drew Brown 49-yard field goal
Miami 17–3
2
6:05
Miami
Michael Badgley 27-yard field goal
Miami 20–3
3
13:50
Miami
Joe Yearby 41-yard run (Michael Badgley kick)
Miami 27–3
3
9:03
Nebraska
Jordan Westerkamp 22-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Miami 27–10
3
3:42
Miami
Michael Badgley 41-yard field goal
Miami 30–10
4
11:14
Miami
Michael Badgley 28-yard field goal
Miami 33–10
4
8:36
Nebraska
Alonzo Moore 10-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Cethan Carter pass from Tommy Armstrong)
Miami 33–18
4
3:46
Nebraska
Brandon Reilly 21-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Miami 33–25
4
0:33
Nebraska
Stanley Morgan 8-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Jordan Westerkamp pass from Tommy Armstrong)
33–33
OT
0:00
Miami
Michael Badgley 28-yard field goal
Miami 36–33
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
6–5
September 20, 2014
Nebraska, 41–31
Tommy Armstrong Jr. and the Huskers orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback, erasing a 23-point deficit in the final 8:36 of regulation, but Miami escaped with a 36–33 overtime win on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium. Trailing 33–10 after Miami's Michael Badgley connected on his fourth field goal of the game. Armstrong led Nebraska to 23 unanswered points to send the game to overtime tied at 33. Nebraska's comeback included a trio of fourth quarter touchdown passes from Armstrong to Alonzo Moore, Brandon Reilly and Stanley Morgan Jr., and a pair of two point conversion passes to Jordan Westerkamp and Cethan Carter. In overtime Armstrong opened the extra period with an interception on the first play. Miami took over and kicked a 28-yard field goal to end the game. Armstrong ended the day going 21-of-45 for 309 yards with 4 TDs and 3 INTs. Terrell Newby was the top Husker rusher with 14 carries for 82 yards and Jordan Westerkamp led Nebraska's receivers with five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Huskers gained 462 yards in the game and allowed 511 to the Hurricanes. Nebraska fell to 1–2 for the first time since 1981.
Taariq Allen 10-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 29–7
4
13:34
Southern Miss
Casey Martin 21-yard pass from Nick Mullens (P. Shaunfield kick)
Nebraska 29–14
4
12:26
Southern Miss
Casey Maritn 19-yard pass from Nick Mullens (P. Shaunfield kick)
Nebraska 29–21
4
9:30
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong 16-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 36–21
4
6:55
Southern Miss
Jalen Richard 1-yard run (P. Shaunfield kick)
Nebraska 36–28
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
4–1
September 7, 2013
Nebraska, 56–13
Tommy Armstrong, Drew Brown, Andy Janovich, Brandon Reilly and Jordan Westerkamp all produced career days to lead Nebraska to a 36–28 win over Southern Miss on Homecoming at Memorial Stadium. Brown tied an NCAA record by kicking five field goals in the first half to help Nebraska jump to a 22–0 halftime lead. He also tied the Memorial Stadium record for field goals made in a game. Westerkamp notched a career-high with 11 receptions for 118 yards and Reilly notched a career-high with 112 yards. Andy Janovich notched career highs rushing and receiving from the fullback position and Tommy Armstrong notched a career-high with 431 yards of total offense. The Husker defense for the fourth game this year allowed 300+ yards passing as Southern Miss threw for over 400 yards. The Golden Eagles mounted a comeback in the second half, but came up short as the Huskers held on for the 36–28 win to end the non-conference season.
For the fourth time in five contests, the outcome of Nebraska's game was not decided until the opponent's final offensive play, and for the third time, Nebraska walked away on the short end of the stick with a 14–13 loss to Illinois to open the Big Ten season. The game was decided on a one-yard touchdown pass from Wes Lunt to Geronimo Allison with 10 seconds remaining to complete the Illini's 13-point fourth quarter deficit. Nebraska gained 292 yards on the day, and allowed 382 yards. Tommy Armstrong had his worst passing day of the year, going 10-of-31 for 105 yards with an interception in the loss. Linebacker Chris Weber led the Blackshirts with a career-high 17 tackles, with three tackles for loss.
For the fourth time this season, Nebraska lost a game in the final seconds on the opponent's last offensive possession as Wisconsin kicked a 46-yard field goal with 0:04 remaining to seal a 23–21 win in Lincoln. With the loss, Nebraska drops to 2–4 for the first time since 1959. It is the seventh time in the last eight Nebraska games that the outcome has been decided by a single score. Wisconsin outgained the Huskers 469 yards (147 rush, 322 pass) to 325 yards (196 rush, 129 pass). Tommy Armstrong was 11-of-28 for 129 yards with a touchdown pass. Andy Janovich had three carries for 59 yards and a touchdown and Terrell Newby had 15 carries for 59 yards to lead the rushers, while Tommy Armstrong had 50 yards on eight carries and a score. Alonzo Moore was the top receiver with one catch for 41 yards and the touchdown. Byerson Cockrell lead the team in tackles with 10.
Cethan Carter 10-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 31–14
4
14:21
Nebraska
De'Mornay Pierson-El 14-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 38–14
4
11:52
Minnesota
Mitch Leidner 1-yard run (K.J. Maye pass from Mitch Leidner)
Nebraska 38–22
4
6:49
Minnesota
Ryan Santoso 39-yard field goal
Nebraska 38–25
4
3:06
Nebraska
Drew Brown 41-yard field goal
Nebraska 41–25
4
2:10
Nebraska
Joshua Kalu 41-yard interception return (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 48–25
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
22–31–2
November 22, 2014
Minnesota, 28–24
Nebraska clinched their first Big Ten victory under Mike Riley with a 48–25 win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Nebraska jumped to a 17–7 lead and then scored 21 unanswered to secure the win. Tommy Armstrong was 18-of-26 for 261 yards and had eight carries for 38 yards to lead the Huskers. Terrell Newby rushed 13 times for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win with the Huskers gaining 464 total yards of offense while Blackshirts held Minnesota to 366 yards and forced three turnovers.
Nick VanHoose 72-yard interception return (Jack Mitchell kick)
Northwestern 14–5
2
1:07
Nebraska
Brandon Reilly 10-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Northwestern 14–12
2
0:00
Northwestern
Jack Mitchell 28-yard field goal
Northwestern 17–12
3
8:59
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong 4-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 19–17
3
5:18
Northwestern
Jack Mitchell 18-yard field goal
Northwestern 20–19
4
14:55
Nebraska
Drew Brown 48-yard field goal
Nebraska 22–20
4
9:53
Northwestern
Dan Vitale 37-yard pass from Clayton Thorson (Jack Mitchell kick)
Northwestern 27–22
4
7:27
Northwestern
Jack Mitchell 27-yard field goal
Northwestern 30–22
4
4:23
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong 3-yard run (Tommy Armstrong PAT pass failed)
Northwestern 30–28
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
6–2
October 18, 2014
Nebraska, 38–17
In another game that went down to the wire, Nebraska watched a two-point conversion attempt fall incomplete with 4:23 left, allowing Northwestern to escape Memorial Stadium with a 30–28 win. With Nebraska's fifth loss of the season by five or fewer points, the Huskers slip to 3–5 overall and 1–3 in the Big Ten. Nebraska's five losses have come by a total of 13 points. Nebraska outgained Northwestern in total offense 373 yards (291 pass, 82 rush) to 333 yards (177 pass, 156 rush). Tommy Armstrong was 24-of-48 for 291 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT in the loss. Terrell Newby was the top rusher with 16 carries for 53 yards and Jordan Westerkamp the top receiver with five catches for 92 yards.
Danny Anthrop 3-yard pass from David Blough (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 14–3
2
11:52
Nebraska
Stanley Morgan Jr. 20-yard pass from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown PAT blocked)
Purdue 14–9
2
4:12
Purdue
Domonique Young 4-yard run (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 21–9
3
12:04
Nebraska
Imani Cross 9-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Purdue 21–16
3
7:42
Purdue
Jordan Jurasevich 5 yard pass from David Blough (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 28–16
3
5:19
Purdue
DeAngelo Yancey 83-yard pass from David Blough (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 35–16
3
2:34
Purdue
DeAngelo Yancey 9-yard pass from David Blough (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 42–16
4
14:56
Nebraska
Lane Hovey 17-yard pass from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick)
Purdue 42–23
4
11:39
Nebraska
Andy Janovich 1-yard run (Jordan Westerkamp PAT pass from Ryker Fyfe)
Purdue 42–31
4
5:51
Purdue
Markell Jones 6-yard run (Paul Griggs kick)
Purdue 49–31
4
3:27
Nebraska
Brandon Reilly 8-yard pass from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick)
Purdue 49–38
4
1:02
Purdue
Markell Jones 8-yard run (Paul Griggs PAT blocked)
Purdue 55–38
4
0:30
Nebraska
Jordan Westerkamp 35 yard pass from Ryker Fyfe (Drew Brown kick)
Purdue 55–45
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
2–1
November 1, 2014
Nebraska, 35–14
Nebraska turned the ball over five times and suffered a 55–45 loss to Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Huskers slipped to 3–6 overall and 1–4 in the Big Ten. Ryker Fyfe made his first career start at quarterback in place of injured starter Tommy Armstrong and threw for 407 yards and four touchdowns despite also throwing four interceptions and losing one fumble. The five turnovers were converted into 28 points by the Boilermakers. The Huskers were also without receivers Alonzo Moore and De'Moarnay Pierson-El and running back Terrell Newby to injury as well. Nebraska outgained Purdue in total offense with 484 total yards compared to Purdue's 457 yards. Nebraska rallied with 29 fourth quarter points, the second-best point total in the quarter in school history, trailing only 30 points scored at Hawaii in December 1982. Jordan Westerkamp hauled in nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in the loss to help lead the Huskers. The loss marked the 1st time in Huskers football history that they lost 6 games before the start of November.
Jordan Westerkamp 38-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 10–0
1
0:30
Michigan State
Michael Geiger 46-yard field goal
Nebraska 10–3
2
11:35
Michigan State
M. Kings 18-yard pass from Connor Cook (Michael Geiger kick)
10–10
2
4:21
Nebraska
Drew Brown 43-yard field goal
Nebraska 13–10
2
0:17
Michigan State
M. Kings 18-yard pass from Connor Cook (Michael Geiger kick)
Michigan State 17–13
3
12:31
Nebraska
Imani Cross 1-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 20–17
3
9:13
Michigan State
Aaron Burbridge 33-yard pass from Connor Cook (Michael Geiger kick)
Michigan State 24–20
3
2:14
Michigan State
Jamal Lyles 16-yard pass from Connor Cook (Michael Geiger kick)
Michigan State 31–20
4
13:06
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong 2-yard run (PAT pass failed)
Michigan State 31–26
4
4:16
Michigan State
Gerald Holmes 1-yard run (Michael Geiger kick)
Michigan State 38–26
4
1:47
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong 1-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Michigan State 38–33
4
0:17
Nebraska
Brandon Reilly 30-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (PAT pass failed)
Nebraska 39–38
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
7–2
October 4, 2014
Michigan State, 27–22
Nebraska scored two touchdowns in the final 1:47 of the game to rally for a 39–38 upset over #7 ranked Michigan State. The Huskers' 12-point rally in the fourth quarter tied for the largest fourth quarter rally in school history. Nebraska outgained MSU in total offense 499 yards to 491 yards. Tommy Armstrong finished the day going 19-of-33 for 320 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs. He also added 19 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. Imani Cross had 18 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown while Jordan Westerkamp had the top day for the receivers with 9 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Reilly added three catches for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown. It was the first time an unranked Nebraska team beat a Top 10 ranked opponent since 1977.
Jordan Westerkamp 15-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 14–0
2
11:49
Nebraska
Alonzo Moore 44-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 21–0
2
1:17
Rutgers
Robert Martin 1-yard run (Kyle Federico kick)
Nebraska 21–7
3
6:03
Rutgers
Chris Laviano 5-yard pass from Janarion Grant (Kyle Federico kick)
Nebraska 21–14
3
1:58
Nebraska
Cethan Carter 11-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 28–14
4
14:50
Nebraska
Drew Brown 44-yard field goal
Nebraska 31–14
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
2–0
October 25, 2014
Nebraska, 42–24
Nebraska jumped out to a 21–0 lead and never looked back in a 31–14 victory over Rutgers at High Point Solutions Stadium. The Huskers wasted little time, marking 78 yards in eight plays to score on the game's opening drive. The Blackshirt defense played its most complete game of the year, coming up with six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions in the win. The Huskers held the Scarlet Knights to just 259 yards of offense. Nebraska gained 362 total yards on the day (174 rush, 188 pass). Tommy Armstrong was 14-of-21 for 188 yards with 3 TD passes and 3 INT. Cethan Carter was the top receiver with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown while Imani Cross led the Huskers on the ground with 20 carries for 94 yards.
Despite outgaining Iowa in total yardage, time of possession and plays run, the Hawkeyes held on for a 28–20 win over Nebraska in the HyVee Heroes Game on Black Friday. Nebraska's defense held Iowa to 0-of-9 on third downs, but four interceptions by the Huskers and untimely penalties doomed Nebraska. Nebraska outgained Iowa 433 yards (296 pass, 137 rush) to 250 yards (97 pass, 153 rush). Tommy Armstrong was 25-of-45 for 296 yards with 4 INT. Imani Cross was the leading rusher with 19 carries for 58 yards and two TDs. Terrell Newby had a team-high five receptions for 22 yards in the loss, while Cethan Carter caught four passes for a team-high 76 yards.
Kenneth Walker 60-yard pass from Josh Rosen (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick)
UCLA 14–7
2
1:17
UCLA
Nate Starks 26-yard pass from Josh Rosen (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick)
UCLA 21–7
2
6:23
Nebraska
Terrell Newby 3-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
UCLA 21–14
2
0:52
Nebraska
Andy Janovich 1-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
21–21
3
10:37
Nebraska
Stanley Morgan Jr. 22-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong Jr. (Drew Brown kick failed)
Nebraska 27–21
3
4:50
Nebraska
Drew Brown 20-yard field goal
Nebraska 30–21
4
14:11
Nebraska
Tommy Armstrong Jr. 3-yard run (Drew Brown kick)
Nebraska 37–21
4
11:29
UCLA
Jordan Payton 9-yard pass from Josh Rosen (Thomas Duarte PAT pass from Josh Rosen)
Nebraska 37–29
Overall record
Previous meeting
Previous winner
6–6
September 14, 2013
UCLA, 41–21
Tommy Armstrong threw and ran for touchdowns to help Nebraska cap its season on a bright note with a 37–29 win over UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl. Nebraska scored 30 straight points after falling behind 21–7 early on. The Huskers rushed for a season-high 326 yards (151 in the third quarter alone) in the win and ended the game plus-one in turnover margin. Armstrong ended the night going 12-of-19 for 174 yards with a touchdown pass and added 76 yards rushing on 10 carries with a score on the ground. Freshman Devine Ozigbo led all rushers with 20 carries for 80 yards. Jordan Westerkamp was the top receiver for Nebraska with two catches for 44 yards. For his effort, Tommy Armstrong was named Offensive MVP of the Foster Farms Bowl. Also, head coach Mike Riley became the first coach to win this bowl game twice, after also having won the game in (2007)
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