A look at the key plays from each of the game's four quarters during Nebraska's 49-10 win over Western Kentucky.

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FIRST QUARTER

• Alonzo Whaley: The Nebraska linebacker shoots through and tackles Bobby Rainey for no gain on the first play of the game — and the first of Whaley’s career.

• Taylor Martinez: Three plays into the Huskers’ first offensive series, the quarterback keeps on a zone read and runs 46 yards for a 7-0 lead.

• Baker Steinkuhler: The defensive tackle breaks through for NU’s first sack, dropping Kawaun Jakes for an 8-yard loss to end Western Kentucky’s second possession.

• Rex Burkhead: Nebraska again needs just three plays to score as Burkhead goes around the left side for a 20-yard touchdown run, making it 14-0 with 6:11 left in the first quarter.

• Brandon Kinnie: Martinez goes to Kinnie for two 13-yard completions to start the Huskers’ third series.

SECOND QUARTER

• Niles Paul: Another strong punt return by the Husker senior, who adds a 31-yarder to his 21-yarder from the first quarter. It sets up NU at the Hilltoppers’ 34.

• Cody Green: The sophomore makes his appearance at quarterback and completes two short passes to Paul and Kinnie for a first down.

• Roy Helu: It’s the first touchdown of the season for the Nebraska senior I-back, who scores on a 3-yard run for a 21-0 lead with 5:49 left before halftime.

• Rainey: The WKU tailback is getting his work, starting the Hilltoppers’ final series of the second quarter with an 11-yard run. Rainey has 15 first-half carries for 54 yards.

• Jared Crick: He’s about a step too late for the sack, but the NU defensive tackle delivers a punishing hit on Jakes as he gets rid of a pass. Cameron Meredith is hurt on the play in unrelated action.

THIRD QUARTER

• Martinez: The redshirt freshman’s first two carries after halftime cover 43 and 19 yards, the latter for a touchdown. NU leads 28-0 just more than two minutes into the third quarter.

• Casey Tinius: The Hilltoppers’ best drive stalls just inside the Huskers’ 10, but they use Tinius’ 25-yard field goal to get on the scoreboard with 8:20 remaining in the third.

• Paul: Commits the first turnover of the game, catching a 17-yard pass from Martinez and fumbling. Mark Santoro recovers for Western Kentucky.

• DeJon Gomes: With Rainey nearing the end zone on a potential 47-yard TD run for WKU, Gomes strips the football just before the goal line and Eric Hagg recovers in the end zone.

• Martinez: One more big run for Martinez, who darts and dances to a 15-yard score to make it 35-3 with 2:01 to go.

FOURTH QUARTER

• Rainey: Western Kentucky caps a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive with Rainey’s 5-yard touchdown run. The Hilltoppers pull within 35-10 with 12:46 to go.

• Green: Nebraska strikes back with a seven-play, 86-yard march, finished by a nice throw from Green to Paul for a 33-yard TD at the 9:45 mark.

• P.J. Smith: The good and bad are mixed as the Nebraska safety intercepts a pass and returns it 29 yards, only to fumble. WKU lineman Mychal Patterson recovers at the 2.

• Austin Jones: Nebraska needs to go only 13 yards for its next score after a 4-yard punt. The touchdown comes on a 5-yard run by Jones that makes it 49-10 with 5:42 left.

• Will Henry: Before the Huskers run out the clock on their 25th straight season-opening win, Zac Lee throws a 24-yard pass to Henry on the final possession.

— Rich Kaipust

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