A matchup between two top 5 ranked opponents on opening weekend is rare in college football these days. It's too bad. If this game was any indication, better quality opponents leads to better games and more excitement for college football players and fans.
Entering this season and game, the #2 gators came off an upset loss in the BCS championship breaking an OFFL-E record 24 consecutive victories. But, Florida is Florida and just reloads with talent. The Huskers entered this season coming off its best season in a decade under first year coach Wildcatter. Although the team lost a lot of senior leadership, young talent and the momentum of a program on the rise had the Huskers thinking upset.
Although both programs pride themselves on defense, it was the offenses that dominated this one. Each team moved up and down the field in the first half which ended in a 21-21 tie. The second half is where this game got interesting. Florida was able to take the second half kickoff and methodically drive down the field to take its first lead 28-21. On Nebraska's ensuing possession, the Husker offense was limited to a FG and the gators were sniffing blood.
The black shirt defense allowed Florida to drive into the redzone and many began to feel this one might be over. But, a forced fumble and a 82 yard return for a TD set the stadium rocking as Nebraska was able to regain the lead at 31-28.
In the 4th quarter, Florida was able to tie the game with a FG. Once again, the Husker offense took the field and was able to move into scoring territory late in the game. HB Okafor scored on a short TD run with just over 1 minute left to take a 38-31 lead.
But the Florida offense wouldn't go away quietly. Leading the team down the field in and ultimately scoring the game tying TD with just under 20 seconds to play.
As the momentum was sucked out of the crowd, this one appeared to be heading to overtime. On the ensuing kickoff, the gators special team committed a personal foul giving the Huskers the ball at their own 40 yard line with 12 seconds left in the game.
What happened from here was just unbelievable. QB Cody Green hit WR Cooper for a 23 yard reception and the huskers were able to call a timeout with 3 seconds left to play.
Coach Wildcatter called upon Kicker Kunalic to attempt the 56 yarder. After coach Basis called a timeout to ice the kicker, Kunalic made the kick of his career as time expired.
41-38 NEBRASKA!!!
