suntimes

Noisy Nebraska fans force Northwestern to go with silent count

BY TONI GINNETTI tginnetti@suntimes.com October 20, 2012 11:02PM

Updated: November 22, 2012 6:48AM



Ryan Field was sold out for the first time this season Saturday, but the crowd included thousands of Nebraska fans who made themselves heard — especially in the final minutes.

The noise was so loud, the Wildcats had to go to their “silent count’’ on offense.

“We didn’t prepare for that this whole week,’’ said junior

Kain Colter , noting the silent count usually is needed only on the road in front of hostile crowds.

Injury report

Junior running back Venric Mark rushed for 118 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. But he left the game late in the fourth quarter after getting roughed up on a play and didn’t return.Redshirt freshman cornerback

Nick VanHoose suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter and also left the game.

Their conditions would be updated Monday.

Back in W column

Nebraska ended a four-game road losing streak, despite being held to fewer than 30 points for the first time. But 29 was enough, even if it took two late touchdowns to get there.“Everyone knew we were going to score a touchdown,’’ quarterback

Taylor Martinez said of his team’s last two drives. “We could feel it in our guts and throughout the offense. We knew once we had the chance, we were going to score again.’’

Home letdown

The Wildcats suffered their first home loss of the season and first since losing to Michigan State on Nov. 26, 2011.

But the quarterback tandem of Trevor Siemian and Colter did not throw an interception for the seventh time in eight games.




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