Husker Dan: Five Down, One to Go

Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule has been preaching to his team all season to go 1-0 each week. He has cautioned his players not to look beyond the next play or the next game. Get one percent better each day. One day at a time. To heck with style points.

As the late Al Davis (former owner of the NFL's Oakland Raiders) used to say, "Just win, baby."

Nebraska Handles Purdue 31-14

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Nebraska Handles Purdue 31-14

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That's exactly what the Huskers have been doing. They've won five of their last six games. Those five wins have not exactly set any records for style points, but the Huskers keep winning.

With four more games to play, there is a good chance NU will get its sixth win. If the Huskers do get to six or more wins, the defense will be the main reason why.

Note to Trev Alberts: Get out your checkbook and retain defensive coordinator Tony White. Programs will be coming after him. If you have to, make him the highest-paid DC in school history.

Circular firing squad

The main thing standing in the Huskers' way is the circular firing squad they have to face each game day.

In Saturday's win, Nebraska fumbled five times, losing four of them. Very few teams can survive such odds.

There will be a time in the not-too-distant future when turnovers will be reduced to acceptable levels. Until that happens, Husker fans will have to get used to ugly wins. Remember, it's better to win ugly than lose pretty. (Anybody remember the '21 Husker football season?)

A record October

Besides the Huskers' 31-14 win Saturday, Nebraska fans had even more to cheer about. For the first time in 22 years, NU went undefeated in the month of October. Let that sink in for a while.

On Saturday, the Huskers also won the time-of-possession battle (33:10 to 26:50), total offense (277 yards to 195) and first downs (14 to 10).

Getting back to the turnover issue: How does a team lose four fumbles in one game and still get a double-digit Big Ten win?

Utterly amazing.

Two things are certain: This year's Husker football team has a jaw-dropping defense. The team also has some of the grittiest players Husker fans have seen in a very long time. No matter what the score, Nebraska is relentless.

Nebraska will probably continue to play ugly. Don't fret. Remember, it isn't the style points, it's just the wins, baby. 

• More coverage & commentary: HuskerMax game page

Purdue-Nebraska gallery

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule walks to the stadium before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters looks on before the game.

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass during warmups before the game.

Nebraska returner Garrett Snodgrass fumbles the opening kickoff return.

Purdue linebacker Hudson Miller and Purdue defensive back Botros Alisandro react after recovering the fumbled kickoff return.

Nebraska defensive back Isaac Gifford tackles Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield during the first quarter.

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card runs against the Huskers during the first quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes during the first quarter.

Nebraska  head coach Matt Rhule stands on the sideline during the second quarter.

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II and tight end Nate Boerkircher celebrate after Fidone's second-quarter touchdown.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against Purdue during the second quarter.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes against the Purdue defense during the second quarter.

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card gets a pass away during the second quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd catches a pass for a 74-yard touchdown against Purdue during the second quarter.

Nebraska wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd scores a touchdown against the Purdue during the second quarter.

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass against Nebraska defensive back Quinton Newsome during the second quarter.

Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. runs against Nebraska during the second quarter.

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters reacts after a call during the second quarter.

Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield catches a pass against Nebraska defensive back Omar Brown during the second quarter.

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card runs from Nebraska linebacker John Bullock during the third quarter.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with referees during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs towards the end zone during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson completes his 28-yard touchdown run.

Nebraska defensive back Tommi Hill  intercepts a pass from Purdue quarterback Hudson Card late in the fourth quarter.