Nebraska won a close game.Do you remember back when that wasn't a shocking, headline-worthy statement? I'll understand if you don't, because it has been a while.This was Nebraska's first win in a one-score game in their last 10 tries. (Ironically, the last time NU won a one-score game was a Friday night in 2020 when they traveled to Piscataway, New Jersey). It was the first Husker win by 3 points or le s since Illinois in 2019. And finally, it was the Sheldon Richardson Jersey first 1-point win since Indiana in 2017.Nebraska won a close game.It's hard to overstate just how important it is for this team - and especially the players who will return in 2023 - to experience winning a close game. Clearly, that was a skill they (and/or their leadership*) lacked in 2021.I don't care how bad Rutgers is this year, or how bad they've been since joining the Big Ten. Before you look down your nose at the Scarlet Knights, consider this: Between the start of the 2020 season and kickoff on Friday, Rutgers was a combined 5-15 in conference play. Nebraska was 5-14 in that same stretch. Nebraska is currently a program where ANY win is a good win. One point or blowout, ugly or masterpiece, it does not matter. These Huskers should be judged only on if they win or not.Maybe in a year or two this program will return to a level where we can criticize wins that lack aesthetic beauty. But not today. Not after all of the " " lo ses from a year ago, and definitely not for the remainder of the 2022 season. Nebraska won a close game. That is good enough for me.That Rashard Higgins Jersey was another Blackshirt-worthy performance. The strangest thing happened Friday night. NU punted the ball back to Rutgers with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights needed about 50 yards to get into range for a game winning field goal, against a defense that gave up 1,222 yards in back-to-back games last month. The strange thing? I was confident the defense would win the game.Yes, part of that was Rutgers's struggles to throw the ball with any of the 37 quarterbacks they played. But it appears that interim defensive coordinator Bill Busch has figured out that pre suring the quarterback is a great way to help his young secondary.Against Georgia Southern and Oklahoma, NU sat back and tried to be a "bend but don't break" defense. It didn't work. Now, the hopefully-soon-Blackshirts are playing aggre sively. They are trying to attack the ball, instead of trying to tackle it as it goes by. The result? Against Georgia Southern, NU allowed 45 points and 642 yards. Against Indiana AND Rutgers, NU allowed 34 points and 638 yards.Give credit to Busch for the change. And give a ton of credit to the players for buying in. They could have quit on the season and half-a sed their way to a 1-11 record. Instead, they're playing with pa sion and pride.It's fun to not be the team that melts down. Stop me if any of this sounds familiar. The team that lost on Friday:Struggled on offenseSettled for field goalsLost the turnover battleHad horrible clock managementWasted a timeoutWas killed by penalties Ozzie Newsome Jersey in critical momentsStill had a chance to win, but threw an interception on their final driveLook: I'm not nave enough to think that Nebraska's myriad of i sues and propensity to make mental mistakes are fixed. Something I listed above WILL happen again this season.But it sure felt great to - for the first time in forever - be on the right side of the agony.Scroll to ContinueNebraska needs to have a "hot call" to run after close plays. Twice in the second half, Marcus Washington appeared to make a diving catch. Both times, the officials ruled it a catch and spotted the ball for the next play. Both times, the replay official stopped the game for a review, which ultimately reversed the play.But what if, after the ball was spotted, NU lined up quickly and got off another play? A coach recognizes that it will likely be reviewed, and shouts a simple code word (I'd suggest "Warren"). The offense sprints to the line and runs a quarterback sneak, or basic trap play. Once the ball is snapped, no replay could occur, and the result of the questionable play would stand. Arguably, the officials wouldn't let that happen, or the opposing coach would burn a timeout to try to trigger the review. I acknowledge this. But I'd love to see NU try to exploit a loophole in the system instead of losing a 20-yard completion because the ref has a very strict definition of what is a catch.What's the worst that could happen?What is going on with the short-yardage play calls? You know the two plays we're going to talk about:Early second quarter, NU has 3rd & 1 at their 31. The Huskers do a jet sweep-ish to s to Trey Palmer that has zero chance for succe s. Palmer was lucky Austin Corbett Jersey to get back to the line of scrimmage. NU punts. Rutgers drives down and scores a field goal.Late third quarter, NU has 4th & 1 from the Rutgers 27. I have no i sue going for the first down instead of trying a 44-yard field goal. But on this play, NU emptied the backfield and threw over the middle to Marcus Washington. Personally, I thought the Rutgers defender got there early, but on Friday the refs were only interested in calling offensive pa s interference. First down Scarlet Knights.These play calls tell me that when push comes to shove, Mark Whipple does not trust his offensive line to push or shove. Maybe he's right: Rutgers came into the game with a very stout run defense, and held the Huskers to just 72 yards on the ground. Maybe Anthony Grant would dance around too much and get tackled. Maybe Jacquez Yant would get stuffed on a dive play. But shouldn't you at least sell the po sibility of conventional short-yardage run?Who knows? Maybe Yant is such an amazing deep threat that it made sense to take him out of the backfield and split him Olivier Vernon Jersey out wide.Should you start making reservations for Indianapolis in early December? As I type this, Nebraska is currently in three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten West. After the game, Mickey Joseph referred to it as "fake first place". Regardle s, a pivotal game at Purdue (also 2-1 in the division) looms next week. The Huskers are currently in "control your own destiny" mode in a division that is as open/mediocre/bad as it has ever been. It seems likely that the West champ will have two or three conference lo ses. So, if you want to be optimistic and start scouting hotels, go for it. Just be sure to read and understand their cancellation policy.One other thing: just imagine where Nebraska could be if Scott Frost didnt call an onside kick against Northwestern. That lo s could end up being what keeps Nebraska from a division championship.Is anybody healthy? Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda did not travel with the team. Omar Manning limped off the field in the first quarter and did not return. Luke Reimer appeared to be injured. Travis Vokolek had a nasty ankle sprain. Casey Thompson took