Shatel: Escaping Ames with a win requires both pluck and luck

AMES, Iowa — Here's how Nebraska left Jack Trice Stadium for the last time: by running. The Huskers ran like they stole something.

And maybe they did.

How did the Huskers win this game? How on earth did they pull their season back from the brink and keep it steered toward Arlington, Texas, and Glendale, Ariz.?

Good question. But hopefully they dumped the evidence somewhere near Atlantic, Iowa, on the way home.

Nebraska started its third-team quarterback. The Huskers' top corner was on the shelf. Their best play was a running back taking the snap and handing off or scooting for 5 yards.

Alex Henery was punting like Alex Trebek. Niles Paul was staging his own version of “Jeopardy.”

And the Mad Hatter of the Big 12 North, Paul Rhoads, was rolling the bones and going for two in overtime — with the momentum and the home field.

Iowa State had the guy open. But Rhoads had Daniel Kuehl, a backup punter and the holder on the point-after team, throwing the money pass in a pivotal Big 12 North game.

Kuehl floated it. NU's Eric Hagg stepped in and made the game-saving pick. And a load of big people in white jerseys and red pants sprinted to the locker room with smiles and smirks before anyone could change the result.

For the record books, the final was Nebraska 31, Iowa State 30. But all anyone will remember is the gutsy call by Rhoads.

For the record, I questioned it. You're at home. Austen Arnaud and the Cyclones ran up and down the field on NU in the fourth quarter and scored in three plays in overtime. Momentum was clearly wearing cardinal and gold.

Why risk it? Why not go toe-to-toe with Cody Green all day in overtime?

Because that's not Rhoads. And because this tough, wily coach had a perfect play saved up for just the right moment. He just didn't get the perfect pass.

If it works, he's brilliant and Iowa State has a shot at the last Big 12 North title while Nebraska is looking for a map to the Texas Bowl.

But it didn't, so ISU is still looking for its sixth win and Nebraska coaches left town with one big win and several gray hairs.

“That's how he plays,'' NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said about Rhoads. “He plays all out. He lets it all hang out. I mean, he's not afraid. With that one play, he's either the hero or he loses.''

The Huskers were lucky Saturday. But give them credit for expecting some sleight of hand from the Big 12's hatter.

“The coaches warned us about it all week,'' said safety Austin Cassidy. “They said they're going to use a fake at some point. They had the fake punt last year against us. And they had the onside kick at Texas.''

“I personally thought they would tie it up,'' said Hagg. “But the coaches warned us before the play to watch for the fake. I didn't know if it was a run or a pass, but I was ready.''

It was a pass.

“As soon as we saw it, JP (assistant John Papuchis) yelled ‘Oh no!''' Carl Pelini said. “I saw the guy wide open and the ball floating toward him. And then I saw Eric step in and make the play, and I said ‘Holy cow.'''

Or something to that effect.

Pick this one apart if you must. But I'll take one memory from this last trip to Cyclone Country: guts.

Green had a bunch. The sophomore quarterback has handled his fall to third team with class and composure. It came in handy on a wind-swept day in which the fate of the season fell on Green's shoulders.

He's not the playmaker that Taylor Martinez is, or even Zac Lee. But the tall Texan led an impressive drive — an 11-play, 56-yard scoring march that included a clutch 29-yard pass to Kyler Reed to the ISU 4-yard line on third-and-12. Green's signature play.

The Huskers showed a ton of moxie. Was it beautiful? hardly. But name one Big 12 team that could lose its top two quarterbacks and, with the way the Cyclones are playing now, come into this joint and win. I'll keep writing while you find one.

Don't forget their top corner. Alfonso Dennard's absence made for a long day for Ciante Evans and Anthony West, who were Arnaud's favorite targets.

The Huskers had the guts to win, while Missouri stumbled at Texas Tech, leaving NU comfortably atop the North. The Tigers, by the way, still have to play here. Good luck.

“You know, in every great season there's a game or two like this you find a way to win,'' Carl Pelini said. “In average seasons, you don't win them.''

There was nothing average about this game, or this season, which still lives.

Contact the writer:

444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com

twitter.com/tomshatelOWH

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• Video: NU-ISU game highlights:



• Video: NU coach Bo Pelini after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Cody Green after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Austin Cassidy after the NU-ISU game:



• Video: NU's Rex Burkhead after the NU-ISU game:

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