In front of Nebraska's 355th consecutive sellout crowd in the 2017 season opener inside Memorial Stadium, the Huskers survived a nail-biting game against Arkansas State, starting the year with a 43-36 win over the Red Wolves.
And after his first start as Nebraska's starting quarterback, Tanner Lee shared his thoughts on the Big Red's season opening win. Lee went 19-32 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdown tosses was a 44-yard bomb to Stanley Morgan Jr. in the first quarter.
After the game, sophomore cornerback Lamar Jackson spoke about how Nebraska's defense bent, but didn't break, especially on the final drive of the game. In only his second career start as a Husker, Jackson posted five solo tackles and accounted for one pass break-up in Saturday night's victory.
One of the bright spots for Nebraska on Saturday night came in the form of JDSpielman's 99-yard kick return touchdown in the first quarter. Following Blaise Taylor's 63-yard punt return touchdown for the Red Wolves, Spielman responded right back for the Huskers, saluting the home crowd on his way into the endzone. The redshirt freshman wide receiver also notched two grabs for 44 yards in NU's victory.
Head coach Mike Riley didn't name a starter at the I-back position heading into Saturday's opener, but it was the Tre Bryant show in Lincoln Saturday night. The sophomore ran the ball 31 times for 192 yards and added a touchdown in the Huskers' 43-36 opening win.
