134 Team College Football Tourney! Round of 128. Nebraska @ MTSU #cfb25

welcome to Murphysboro Tennessee and Johnny red Floy Stadium home of the Middle Tennessee blue Raiders and Raider fans have been clamoring to get this one started all week what an exciting matchup we have in store for you this afternoon built around the pentry tradition and everything that makes college football as we'll see a squad from the Big 10 the Nebraska Corn Huskers taking on a team from Conference USA the Middle Tennessee blue Raiders for EA Sports college football I'm ree Davis David Pollock and Jesse Palmer with me guys it's time to get it going just about set to kick it away set to kick on the move from inside is five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 so the Nebraska Corn Huskers offense will take the first swing of the game and this big fella can beat you in a number of different ways in the passing game David yeah so much fun to have a guy that I can rely on that can beat guys over the middle of the field that can beat man-to-man coverage this guy's the Ultimate Weapon and I love that this guy has an awesome catch radius you don't have to be perfect as a quarterback when you throw to him he can make you look good and and offenses want to continue to feature the Run they want balance even if it's not super successful you can take it little bit at a time just to keep that defense honest using the quick game slips one guy now he's loose and he was able to shed a tackle and pick up the first down before they finally get him on the ground man this guy is so Dynamic and that's why you want to try to get him the ball as many ways as you can that time it's a screen throw and he had some nice blocks down field but with his speed and Elusive running ability this dude is dangerous and wait just a second the officials going to take a second look at this one and the play will stand after the replay booth just does a little double checking to make sure they'll go to the toss quick spin on the run and there were no creases or crevices to run through and they shove him out of bounds listen defense is about energy it's about passion it's about physicality they need a little bit more of that get the guy in the ground you can't let guys break tackles what could have been set up on a long yard of situation now it becomes an easier situation because you couldn't get him on the ground give to the running back still on his feet at the 45 big big gain on that one as he steps out of bounds with a first down I think it's really important for this offense they get this guy going early in the game and they're doing a nice job of that right now remember he's the kind of running back who gets better as the game goes on that's a really good omen for this offense considering his success now early barely two minutes into the game and they're already in the Red Zone it's first and 10 from the 20 leaves it with the running back not a lot there picks up one inside the 20 to the 19 brings up second didn't get much on first down it's second and nine the give to the backat and he does a really nice job finding open space and making a good game before the stop is made and a nice job by the running back finding space getting downhill making the good run great job finishing with his PS boy they'd love to pick up this conversion and go to work with a first and goal goal they'll try to drive ahead on Third and short and the Huskers are stopped but not before getting the first down this offense knew coming into this one guys how important it was to start early and on this opening drive for them they're doing a nice job running the football there on third down they're in a position on the field now if you're on defense you got to be ready for a shot throw into the end zone the Huskers will try to put one on the board on first and goal [Applause] they'll try to get it in with the Run he'll pick up three before he's downed at the six Ang offense trying to pay it off on second and goal back to throw it's Rola going for six and it'll be intercepted in the end zone and the offense makes the tackle in frustration after the interception Drive comes up empty and it's a turnover all right good news the game just got started there's still a lot of football left to play the bad news is though you've already now turned it over and handed the defense an interception quarterback's going to have to be more dial in with his decision making in this [Music] game the offense lining up for a first first down play wide receiver shows motion they're going to open this drive with a pass setting up the screen and he was fortunate not to lose yardage on that play able to wedge it back to the line of scrimmage and that's a really good job by the defense understanding leverage I can't let that fast sucker get outside of me towards the sidelines nice job expanding with him and then going and making a tackle one of the hardest things to do in football is tackle guys in the open field great job going getting them on the ground motion from the offense on second down wants to throw makes a connection that's the kind of play that can really get you going as they get it out to the 36 I tell you what that's great execution between the QB and receiver they look like they could execute that throw in their sleep quarterback took his steps threw it on time great route by the receiver nice job secur during the catch now from the 36 yd line it's first and 10 he's looking to throw it grabbed in the middle it's Sherman and the defense had that one well covered just a short game there that's a good job by the drag rout there understanding in zone coverage so instead of continuing to run across the field he settles down into an open spot making it easy for his quarterback and here comes the offense on second down they'll run it from the gun and he's a real Nowhere Man tackled in this no gain land how about the defender being a heat seeking missile he was on radar lock he found the football and flew down with some bad intentions that's the it has been all defense all the time in the early going as we wrap up the first quarter and the stats certainly reflect that let's see if the offenses can find a little rhythm here in the second they line up with some serious work to do if they want to convert this one looking downfield it's Fati it's complete putting together a real scoring threed here as they pick up the first down at the 36 there was a reason third down is called the money down what a great find by the quarterback great job finding his receiver uh at the end of the game you look at third down percentages it tells a huge story and it goes a long way in deciding who wins a football game they've got it at the 36 on First and 10 quarterback flips itead quickly to the receiver a strong tackle and wrap up from the Junior and these little touch passes man they're just the easiest completions ever for quarterbacks Palmer I bet you would have loved being able to just Flip It Forward that counts as to your completion percentage which is good and then it's all run after the catch so pretty easy for a QB you wouldn't have been the only All-American in this booth David if I were allowed to have Push passes when I was playing quarterback I'll tell you that it is so hard to defend it's so hard to seal that edge especially when this guy's Full Speed Ahead Wilds ahead for a pick up of one to the 32 yeah and the running back didn't get much here but you know you clearly want to always establish the tempo run the football be consistent make that defense physically meet the challenge this will be the seventh play of the drive and they need to convert third and six from the gun wants to [Applause] pass starting to feel a little pressure going to try to get it himself and this one will be stopped for no gain the really good job by the defense getting to the quarterback and getting him on the ground for no gain it's tough once you get there and get pressure it's so hard to get these guys on the ground cuz they're elusive really good job wrapping up and getting to the ground here comes the field goal [Applause] unit able to get him in the middle of the field so now a 49 y from the right hatch didn't make him sweat at all it's good and the first points of the day come on that field goal this is a team that really Prides themselves on starting fast we've seen that before and here they are playing at home today nice job on the opening drive lots of poise good emotion they don't get the touchdown they would have liked but they kick a nice field goal they've got the lead head coach has to be happy with they'll kick it away after putting up a field goal on that last Drive he'll bring it back from inside his SP he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 the cornar ready to go back to work on offense power football with the run into a mass of giant bodies we'll call it a one yd gain to the 24 and you want to run the football play that's okay you'll take some of these but if they start to add up down the road obviously you might want to think about airing it out a little bit didn't get much on first down it's second and nine it's a draw they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one a lot of time those draw plays are successful when those defensive linemen run up the field Rush the quarterback create some holes not this time the defensive line did a really good job understanding that seeing the draw play getting the running back getting his butt ground they line up and it is a long way to the sticks from here looking left PS it in finally right out of bounds but he has this offense rolling with a first down and listen the defense knew coming into this one they were going to Target him early and often he is a weapon and there's no mystery where the quarterback's going to be looking on critical down and distances let's see how they are able to cover him throughout the rest of this game the clock has reached the two-minute Mark and they have a chance to at least cut into this lead before the break the cornos come to the line with a new set of downs dropping back it's Rola makes his connection oh and the defense in Chase mode and they finally get him down at the 35 and there was no question in that scenario that's where the quarterback was going he knew he had his receiver in a matchup that he liked running a route where he would find himself opening nice job between those two ball is at the 35 it's first and 10 grabbed over the middle it's Fone and they finally haul him down but not before the good catch and run well I know the tight end did some good things after the catch but got to give the quarterback credit too for the location of the throw because he put it out in front of his big man he was able to make the catch and accelerate creating some distance there between him and the defense now from inside the red zone gets it out fast he'll get it all the way down to the 8 yd line and the defense is feeling the heat one of the most difficult things about this slot receiver is his shiftiness and his athleticism he's very very difficult to tackle after the catch and as we get deep in this first half a first and goal and a chance to take the lead before the brick looking to throw he's got his man make the grab touchdown Nebraska that is the ultimate grab and go for the score man I just love the execution by this offense late in the half man you want to take the lead you want to get that momentum on your side and they do it they finish it with the passing game and I tell you what heat that passing game up you can keep this lead keep the momentum and keep putting up numbers [Music] lining up for the Pat the extra point and the extra point makes it 7 to three 76 yds on the drive for the touchdown and they finish things off with an 8- yd toss for the score they got the late touchdown on the board now about to kick it away and hoping the defense can keep them from answering from inside the 10 here he comes didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 let's see what the blue Raider offense can get going this lead in the half you're behind you'd love to create something before the break to build momentum Jesse but you've also had some miscues on offense a big part of why you're losing the game right now I'd take it into halftime make my adjustments and come out ready in the second half yeah I'm going to take it in halftime too PA but I'm trying to put some points up right here be aggressive set the tone be like Hey listen this is what you're going to get in the second half so find something really quickly you can go to dropping back it's battiato pulls it in he's dare to make the stop but the damage has been done as they pick up the first down on the throwing catch a timeout is called as this offense tries to find a way to get more points on the board before the half line gets set first down looking to move it through the air got his man quickly that's a kind of play that can really get you going as they have a first down at the 43 we got a timeout here late in the first half and they'll try to get more points on the board before the break he wants to throw looking to the big tight end that friends is a busted play incomplete well on that last play you'd like to see the quarterback be a little bit more accurate and give his guy a chance to make the play that ball wasn't even close to his intended Target's body just a few seconds remaining here as they try to put something up before halftime right back up top on second and 10 this one's complete and he was Off to the Races finally tripped up at the 36 they'll use a timeout right before half time maybe time for one or two more plays they've decided to try to go for the field goal [Applause] here the field goal is no good and it is still a fourpoint deficit Nebraska Middle Tennessee just enough time to get off one final play of the half back to pass it's [Applause] Rola looking deep down the right side he's got it downfield for a huge gain they make the stop but man oh man did he almost get a score on the final play of the half a big game that's going to wrap up the first half here and now we join Kevin with a halftime update guys who's got a better seat there in Murphreesboro than you do a captivating game so far and we've got to start our halftime breakdown with this Superstar running back his elusiveness his raw power this young man is the total package and his ability to catch the ball out of the back field is a differentiator a lot of guys can hit the hole this kid can hit the hole and hit the home run in the passing game and with that let's send it back to the guys at Floyd Stadium [Music] and the Huskers will kick it away to crank up the second half here's the return from inside his 10 he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 the middle Tennesse offense will go back to work tight game as we start the third quarter and we'll see what type of adjustments they made at halftime and getting the ball first here I think is such a big deal like I get the first chance to make a statement to make the adjustments to create some momentum for my squad right here in the third quarter yeah I think it's so important for this offense to set the tone here early in the second half to get a nice drive going build that confidence and and get your defense ready to come on out get a stop and change the complexity of this game from the gun they'll try to impose their running game and you can forget running in the middle against this defense man not much wiggle room for the ball carrier there not really sure what they can do to try to create some space I know block better how about the offensive lineman push some guy backwards and make some holes looking for that first down on Third and short from the 28 dropping back it's bati he's got it down the middle there to make the tackle but the big throw is good enough to give them a first down shotgun fundamentals are so key he was like a short stop caught the shotgun snap and right away rifled it out of his hands like he was turning two that was beautiful offense lines up for a first and 10 from the 43 they'll ride the running back and leave it with it nice pick up there gets it him the first down and sets him up at the 45 yd line well you wonder if one of the adjustments they made at halftime trailing in this game was to try and get the ground game established David they're off to a good start here dang right stay patient you don't have to worry about it you don't have to press just try to get scoring Drives together don't abandon the Run they're getting this guy lathered up and is slipped out defense just cradling that fumble and securing it and he's brought down this defense gets the ball back for its own offensive players when they got the ball in their hand they're trying to make plays right trying to make you miss there's nothing better than closing that Gap and sticking that head right in that guy's chest and causing a fumble and here comes the Nebraska offense back onto the field the sledding has been tough scores have been at a premium Jesse in every possession seems like it could switch the momentum of the game yeah Rees for this offense just feels like they just haven't been as physical for this offensive coordinator David he's having to go deep into the Playbook just to try to generate a first down well and the good thing is there's not a ton of game pressure because the other side's not scoring either but if you can find that one thing that get that one positive play and then maybe you get those juices going and something can start to build he'll try to pop the draw they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard guard on that one I like the idea of going draw there you're trying to sell pass but you still need to do a better job up front executing those blocks there's too many one-on ones where they got beat and as a result they suffer a negative BL let's see what they find in the playbook for third and long from the 43 to the air it's Rola working that left side now and he's not going to get there the defense Stands Tall and makes the stop you got to love that on defense one of the most critical statistics out there is how do you play on third down how do you prevent the opponent from keeping drives alive right there tackling the catch you gave up the completion what can you do you set up fourth and long you're going to get the ball back go get some water and sell it a fairly short distance here toward the sidelines not his best work let's see what the blue Raider offense can get going and then a lows scoring game like this one David every possession is magnified and I think more than anything it just gets frustrating and you got to put that behind you you got to see what this defense has been doing to be so successful caller now use it against him yeah David I think for a play caller this is tough right it's like you have to have the perfect play on just to get a first down in these types of games I think you're just trying to get guys out in space see if a dude can break a tackle maybe that generates an explosive play and it breaks this trend grabbed behind the line it's Kelly and it's a first down they'll mark it at the 44 and that's a first down here's this offense with a fresh set of downs from the gun the running back has it I never know if it's grammatically correct say a team is being out physical you hear a lot in football though that's happening in this game they are just not getting the push they need all game long up front to have any success when they decide to run it picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down he's looking to throw excellent coverage and good use of the hands to knock it away another incompletion and I've said that a lot and these teams are just struggl I mean the offense just doesn't know what to do nothing's working ground game Throw game it's kind of been a rock fight on both sides after the second down misfire looking at a third and eight wide receiver now comes in motion looking to throw it's battiato a little screen to the running back at the 40 there he goes lots of green grass as he gets it to the 31 no matter how many times they tell you to look for it it is tough to defend a perfectly executed screen yeah because I'm trying to go get the quarterback and it looks everything looks like pass but when you see it when you see that screen you got to retrace your steps get back in the play nice job by the offense but the defense just has to recognize that a little bit sooner off the play fake on first down to throw caught over the middle it's Sherman and he's brought down after nice game and another first we've come to the end of the quarter and Nebraska is on top they've done the work to build a nice cushion now to bring it home as we check out the stats after three [Music] quars not only is the scoreboard on their side but so too is time as we open the forth running back goes in motion they're threatening to score and they'll throw it he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete and and that was good defense again and unfortunately we've been saying that all game long really really good defense or listen you can spin on the other side this offense has really been bad line getting set on second down they'll see if they can find some Running Room on the right here he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three linebackers have such an amazing responsibility got to play run got to play pass how about this seeing the Run aggressively getting down hill and getting in the back field and making the tackle for a loss this will be the eighth play of the drive but a great opportunity for the defense to get off the field quarterback moving and the defense is there to stop him short of the first down defensively the more speed you have on the field the better not just to cover wide receivers but when the QB does this and scrambles outside of the pocket now you got guys that have really good speed going to catch a quarterback an athletic quarterback at that really nice job by the defense on fourth down looking the pass Let's It Go to The End Zone touchdown NTSU they've got the lead here in the fourth and some of these guys make it look so easy but these are tight windows down here man there's not a lot of space on the field and he drops back knows exactly where he's going with the football throws it in there makes the play and more importantly now his team is in the lead in the fourth quar [Applause] if he can make this one the lead will be three and it's good and he's got the lead up to three late an impressive 66 yd touchdown drive and they finish it up with a 15yd scoring toas about to kick it off after it in for the touchdown here he comes from inside his own five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 the corn osar ready to go back to work on offense boy three and out last time David they'd like to be more productive this time around yeah in the last Drive nothing really click no rhythm got off the field really really quickly they need to put something together here yeah David B execution on that last drive so they got to take a collective breath and start playing like a unit on this drive got three on first down it's second and seven off the Play Fake zings It complete to the right and they'll bring him down but not before he picks up the first down and they move the chains with a a nice little old school pitch and catch with the quarterback and fullback little throwback to the fullback I love this play everyone on defense is expecting this guy to block he's able to sneak his way out and become a viable Target for the QB looking to throw it's Rola it's complete to the left nice pitch and catch there and they'll have enough for the first down well it's a nice play design there you're getting the running back involved in the pass game quarterback gives it to him early so he can go to work up field and get the first down the Huskers will line it up on First and 10 he's going to pass fires to the wide out just masterful working that sideline and getting the toe down for the catch well that's exactly why you practice these two-minute situations the quarterback knew exactly where to go he's trying to work the side head line save some clock great route by the receiver getting open making the catch getting out of bounds and this drive is off to a pretty good [Applause] start he wants to throw it again incomplete and he threw that one up for gron into traffic and fortunate to get it back and that's why these guys play defense if that were an offensive player or receiver that would have easily have been a catch come on man you've got to catch that and make that a pick second and 10 after the previous play they'll Run play action fires to the right and the pass is incomplete Jarred Loose by the hit hey man if you're going to force incompletions when the QB's thrown to the tight end you better be physical nice job with the hit forcing that incompletion hoping to help their kick her out with a few yards on third down because from here it will be a 58 y from the gun wants to pass fires left he's got it and he almost ran away from everybody on that one a huge pick up on that play well look that wasn't a touchdown but that was a massive play for this offense they needed some momentum they needed to find a rhythm in what better way than converting on third down awesome job by the quarterback getting to his progression we have re a two-minute warning and time is of the essence if this offense is going to make a play they're down to the 2 first and 10 out of the gun the inside hand off looking for a crease they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one I love this linebacker because he's able to dissect what's happening in front of him and he reacts downhill uses his speed to get to the line of scrimmage and create the negative Play Lost yardage on that last one it's second and 11 looking for a man it's Rola throws to the wide out and he just overshot his man and threw it out of bounds incomplete no mystery here third in California late in the game defense knows they're going to throw it so they're going to have a lot of guys back in zone coverage these guys up front are going to be pinning their ears back back better have the clock going off of his head just outside the red zone at the 21 but it's third and long keeping it on the ground with the running back and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker this game will come down to this a field goal try to save them makes this one and it'll be all tied up in the final minute that thing would have hit a string in the middle of the uprights Perfect final minute of Play We Are deadlocked guys what a finish we're experiencing that is a massive kick late here in the game to tie it up and now can your defense do their job and at minimum hold them scoreless here to put this thing into OT or even better can they get you the football back and give you an opportunity to win the game here comes the kickoff as we are all tied up in the fourth quarter on the run from inside his own five really disciplin job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 the Middle Tennessee offense will go back to work he'll come out throwing on first down skips away from pressure on the move at the 30 time out on the field and everybody want to make sure they're organized as we come down the gut of the game they had the perfect play to open the drive and now they'll snap it again from the 38 back to throw it's battiato got his man they'll immediately call timeout and and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pickup it's first and 10 from the 44 yd line he's looking to throw it quickly complete and he'll step across the sidelines after making a good gain on that one I think this receiver's Forte is his route running he's a guy that can line up all over the field but it's not just catching post rounds and goes this guy can run shallows he can run Slants he can run the option routes and find soft spots in the defense this guy really has all the routes in his toolbox looking for a physical attack from the gun they get him on the ground but not before he gets enough for the first down all right nothing flashy there he just did what it took to get the first down the it's first and 10 from the 31 might as well run him until they stop him he's got it again they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one down coming up timeout is called with just two seconds left to go time Middle Tennessee here comes the field goal unit as they'll try to take the three timeout is called with just two seconds left to go with the line of scrimmage at the 32 they'll line up for a 49 yd field goal attempt and a chance to win the game oh that one will leave a mark no good and after the missed field goal guys we are still locked up well guys let's play some more headed to overtime and this just feels right both of these teams going back and forth so of course David this thing needs to get decided in OT let's see who's better short amount of time to do it a couple possessions probably maybe one possession each who's the better team all right guys so here we go in overtime I mean just to refresh everyone's memory alternating possessions starting on the opponent's 25 and it's so nice to be on defense first to to set the tone to understand what you need try to hold them to a field goal the offense knows they can do their job to go out and get a win just two possessions Paul we like you got to be at your best yeah and I love the new rules too because in the third overtime possession it goes to alternating two-point plays back in fourth who's got anything left in the tank here in OT off the play fake on first down to throw got his man downfield touchdown blue Raiders they take the lead here in overtime man you talk about striking first and creating some momentum in overtime the first play you take it to the house and you flip the whole game and put all the pressure on the other sideline Palmer that's how you start an OT yeah David that's just 11 guys on offense locked in first play score a touchdown put all the pressure on your your opponent they understand what it's going to take to win this football game now to push the lead to seven in over time and the extra point is true and they're on top by seven [Music] they know what's in front of them they have to answer that score with a touchdown to the air on first down throws to the tight end and this is dropped incomplete pass he had a huge gain in his fingers and he couldn't hold on the incomplete pass leaves him with second down scanning the field it's Rola working the middle it's complete he's brought down but he's got him inside the 10 first and goal from the the first andal [Applause] neas first and goal down a touchdown they have to get it in the end zone he wants to throw it unleashes to the end zone touchdown Huskers they got the score now to see if they go for the win or the tie obviously very hard to complete passes this area of the field nice execution now you're down by one and now you got to make the decision are we going to go for it and try to end the game right here and put this game in our offense's hands what do you think and that's why I love having the ball second because I get the opportunity to do this I knew they scored a touchdown we scored a touchdown now do I want to go for the win or do I want to continue this game on it's so nice to have the ball [Music] second don't assume on this extra point they needed to send it to a second o and he puts through the extra point the extra point is good that ties the again at 1 now first down here in the second [Applause] overtime wants to throw on first down off the play fake blasted as he lets it go can find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again they'll give it to the back blast his way ahead but not much room a pick up of one to the [Applause] 24 big spot here opening possession of overtime and they're left with a third and nine to throw it's Rola unloads to the wide out he's got he stopped just short of the goal line but they'll have it first and goal from the one 23 on the play first and goal Nebraska first and goal they'll try to take the lead here in the second overtime turning to the running game on first and goal they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one [Applause] up can the defense stopped them again on second and goal tries again to get it in touchdown corn huskar got it in to take the lead here in the second OT follow the blockers the offensive line will take you to the Hallelujah land and I tell you what most of the time Reese it requires a little bit of skill to find that hole and you know Slither through a little crack that was not a crack that was wide open didn't take a lot of vision cuz the blocking was outstanding second overtime and they'll have to go for two they're going to run it they can't convert and the lead remains at six and now they'll have to go on defense Nebraska 23 middle 17 now on first down they need to answer with a touchdown wasting no time throwing on this drive it's caught downfield they get him down but this offense is set up first and goal from the N first and goal as they try to answer with a touchdown of their their own looking for a man it's battiato it falls incomplete he was trying to find his man for [Music] six defense roll up deep in its own end on that last play now a second and long coming he's looking to throw got it touchdown Middle Tennessee they got it in to tie it up here in double overtime and now the two-pointer will win it this game must be moving so slowly for this quarterback he sees everything two or three beats ahead way ahead I mean it's been been really really easy I better get some more hits on him I better do something to make him feel uncomfortable cuz right now it's just like oh you're running that yeah that's easy I mean he's he's already read your mail you better change the address do something different second overtime you have to go for two and this is for the win he's looking to pass they are in ball game and that does it in with a two-point conversion the [Music]