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Rhule Minnesota

The Turning Point: Nebraska vs. Minnesota

An untimely turnover flipped the game Thursday
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Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers

The average number of plays in a given college football game is 180. Each snap brings an opportunity, but each one is not held equal. One snap every game creates one play made by one or several players, affecting the rest of the contest. This play is the turning point. The turning point makes or breaks a team's game and sometimes their season.

Thursday night's turning point was an Anthony Grant fumble with 4:53 left in the game. Before the play, Nebraska had just made a defensive stand and gained momentum with a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. Grant, with the ball, cut to the right side of the field, broke a tackle and looked to have plenty of grass in front of him until Justin Walley burst from behind to force Grant to cough up the ball. Gopher defensive back Aidan Gousby recovered it. Minnesota capitalized on the turnover, taking the ball 53 yards down the field, tying the game at 10.

Minnesota carried the momentum to the defensive end, intercepting Jeff Sims for a third time and winning the game 13-10. The play propelled the Gophers to victory and handed the Huskers their 14th one-score loss since 2021

According to head coach Matt Rhule, Grant had ball security problems in fall camp.

"When the ball's in his hands, he's elite running the football," Rhule said. "He's put the ball on the ground too much, he's fumbled the ball too much. No matter how talented you are if you fumble football you can't play for us."

Rhule said that on Aug. 19.

After the game, Rhule restated what he had said about Grant.

"We know that Anthony can make a ton of plays," Rhule said. "But he has to protect the football, especially in those moments."

No one can deny that Grant is a playmaker. But what cannot be denied is that the rumblings of his protection issues are no longer rumblings.

They are reality.

It will be a question from now until Nebraska's next matchup against Colorado how much playing time Grant will get. But what is not a question is that when Grant has the ball in his hands, he could be one of the best runners in the entire Big Ten. The fact is if he can't hold onto the ball, he isn't, and the Huskers need him to be.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Jeff Sims hands off to Ervin 2

Quarterback Jeff Sims hands off to running back Gabe Ervin Jr.

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims attempts to evade Gopher defensive lineman Jalen Logan-Redding.

Quarterback Jeff Sims tries to evade Jalen Logan-Redding

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Athan Kaliakmanis drops back to pass

Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis sets to release the ball in the first quarter against the Huskers.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Athan Kaliakmanis slides to avoid tackle

Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis slides to avoid contact.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule commands the sidelines

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule strides the sidelines.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Gabe Ervin Jr. powers through Minnesota defense

Gabe Ervin, Jr leans forward for extra yards.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Gabe Ervin Jr. runs

Gabe Ervin Jr. sprints through gap in the line.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Jeff Sims sprints past Minnesota secondary

Quarterback Jeff Sims runs past Minnesota defender Tre'Von Jones.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Jeff Sims with O-Line

Quarterback Jeff Sims with the Nebraska offensive line.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Marcus Washington stopped by Minnesota defensive back Justin Walley

Wide receiver Marcus Washington stopped by Minnesota defensive back Justin Walley.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Omar Brown - team celebrates interception

Nebraska's defense celebrates Omar Brown's interception.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Eric Fields celebrates key tackle

Eric Fields celebrates a key tackle with punter Brian Buschini.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Luke Reimer after key stop against Minnesota

Linebacker Luke Reimer after a key stop against the Minnesota offense.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Jeff Sims and wide receiver Alex Bullock connect for a touchdown

Quarterback Jeff Sims and wide receiver Alex Bullock celebrate after connecting for a touchdown early in the third quarter.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Alex Bullock with Garcia-Castenada after scoring touchdown

Wide receiver Alex Bullock with Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda after scoring his touchdown.

Nate Boerkircher 2023 Nebraska vs Minnesota football USATSI_21318333

Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher makes a catch against Minnesota's Tyler Nubin during the fourth quarter.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Dragan Kesich kicks game winning field goal

Minnesota's Dragan Kesich kicks the game-winning field goal as time expires in the 4th quarter.

Nebraska Minnesota 2023 - Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule congratulates Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule congratulates Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck.

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