Nebraska defensive back Tre Neal (14) tackles Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska built a four-touchdown lead in the first half and survived some nervous moments in the second before pulling away to beat Minnesota 53-28 on Saturday, giving Scott Frost his long-awaited first win as Cornhuskers coach and ending a program-record 10-game losing streak.
A week after squandering a late 10-point lead at Northwestern and losing in overtime, the Huskers (1-6, 1-4 Big Ten) scored on three of their first four possessions on their way to a 28-0 lead.
Minnesota made things interesting, though, scoring on three possessions in a row spanning the halves, with backup quarterback Tanner Morgan replacing Zack Annexstad to open the third quarter and leading two straight touchdown drives to pull the Gophers to 28-22.
Adrian Martinez hit Stanley Morgan Jr. for a 35-yard TD and passed to him again for a 2-point conversion to make it 36-22. The Huskers stopped Minnesota on fourth-and-goal at the 3 and then chewed 7 minutes off the clock before Barrett Pickering kicked a 32-yard field goal to make it a three-possession game with 7:53 left.
Nebraska rushed for 383 yards and totaled 659. Devine Ozigbo ran for 152 yards, Martinez for 125 and Maurice Washington for 109.
Martinez completed 25 of 29 mostly short passes adding up to 276 yards and three TDs.
The Gophers were without running back Shannon Brooks, who was arrested last weekend on suspicion of misdemeanor assault for an altercation with his male roommate. Brooks, who was medically cleared to play after rehabbing an offseason knee injury, didn't make the trip.
Morgan was 11 of 16 for 214 yards and Annexstad 9 of 20 for 135.
THE TAKEAWAY
Minnesota: A quarterback controversy may begin unfolding this week. Morgan gave the Gophers a spark. The Minnesota defense had no answer for Martinez and Co., though.
Nebraska: The defense's depth issue continues to show up in second halves. The Huskers seemed to tire for the second straight week. This team is much like Frost's teams at Central Florida. It's all about the offense.
UP NEXT
Minnesota hosts Indiana on Oct. 26.
Nebraska hosts Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 27.
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Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs with the ball away from a tackle-attempt by Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller (31) celebrate a tackle of Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost tips his cap to spectators as he runs off the field following the team's first win of the season in an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost tips his cap to spectators as he runs off the field following team's first win of the season in an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Minnesota head coach P. J. Fleck follows the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo (22) runs for his second touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo (22) runs for a touchdown past a tackle-attempt by Minnesota defensive back Coney Durr (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Minnesota wide receiver Demetrius Douglas (82) runs for a touchdown ahead of Nebraska linebacker Dedrick Young II (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scores a touchdown in front of Minnesota defensive back Jacob Huff (2) and linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, left, and Minnesota head coach P. J. Fleck chat before an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Minnesota head coach P. J. Fleck chews gum before an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
The Associated Press