Nebraska opened its showdown of unbeaten teams with a steady first possession, driving 13 plays for 66 yards before Kyle Cunanan finished it off with a 28-yard field goal. That gave Nebraska a 3-0 lead over No. 7 Indiana in the first quarter in Lincoln, Neb.
Early control
The opening drive was notable not because it ended in the end zone, but because Nebraska was able to control possession and move the ball methodically against the defending national champion. A 13-play march to begin the game is a strong sign of early composure, especially in a matchup that already carried major weight.
For Nebraska and Indiana, the first quarter started with the kind of measured, physical football that often sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Nebraska did not need a big play to get on the board. It simply stayed on schedule, moved 66 yards, and came away with points.
That made Cunanan's kick the first scoring play of the game and gave Nebraska an early edge in a contest between unbeaten teams. If you want another piece of background on the buildup, Rhule says Anthony Colandrea has earned his trust ahead of Nebraska opener offered a separate look at Nebraska's quarterback situation before kickoff.
