Twitter Reacts to the Onside Kick Heard ’Round the World

Leading by 11 in the third quarter, Nebraska football coach Scott Frost called for an onside kick.

"At that point in the game, I thought all the momentum was on our side," Frost said. "I thought if we got it, we could end the game."

But Nebraska didn't recover the ball. Northwestern scored the final 14 points of the game for a 31-28 win in Ireland that sent Husker faithful on a long plane ride home.

Twitter reacted both in the moment, and well after the game, to the curious decision made by NU's hot seat coach.

Nebraska attempts the onside kick but Northwestern comes up with it pic.twitter.com/XRVWZ8owok
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 27, 2022

I’ve defended Scott Frost more than once, but that onside kick was too risky. Had momentum. Just felt like he was trying to outsmart the room.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) August 27, 2022

Onside kick up 11 in a game you probably should have already been up three scores is the type of thing that should make you pay for your flight home
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) August 27, 2022

Scott Frost gets an 11 pt lead and immediately thinks "sure I'm 3-20 when trailing at the half, but why not go for an onside kick?"
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) August 27, 2022

“Scott, do an onside kick when you’re up 11” pic.twitter.com/WfN8QFv2Vh
— Kyle Hart (@KyleHart3) August 27, 2022

“Hold up. So, Vanderbilt is currently up 11… and they didn’t try an onside kick?” pic.twitter.com/sMm6sUigDI
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) August 28, 2022

At least we didn't go for an onside kick up 11 in the 3rd quarter. pic.twitter.com/nX4GWnhzZA
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 28, 2022

Probably won tonight because we didn't attempt an onside kick when we were winning but hey what do we know 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/dcklc5CgBz
— Sioux City Explorers (@SiouxCityXs) August 28, 2022

I may be mistaken but I think the Huskers doing the onside kick for no apparent reason up 11 after scoring 2 quick TD’s and totally capturing the momentum in this game will be a course study in things not to do while up 11 and gaining momentum in football rooms everywhere.
— Larry The Cable Guy (@GitRDoneLarry) August 27, 2022

AND AFTER AN INSANE MOMENTUM SHIFT AND GOING UP BY TWO SCORES IN THE THIRD QUARTER NEBRASKA ATTEMPTED AN ONSIDE KICK FOR LITERALLY NO REASON pic.twitter.com/lOVLf96Rf8
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) August 27, 2022

Not being the offensive play-caller gives you much more time to think about things like an onside kick with a double-digit lead. #Huskers
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) August 27, 2022

There’s a cynical part of me that thinks there’s a chance Frost called the onside kick because he was desperate to put his finger prints on his first game without play calling duties. https://t.co/izNt0EbZzy
— Ravi Lulla (@ralulla) August 28, 2022

Scott Frost was basically forced to hire a special teams coordinator as a condition of keeping his job, then comes out in the first game and calls an onside kick with an 11-point lead, immediately blows lead. I almost respect it.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) August 27, 2022

Always, ALWAYS remember the stupidest onside kick in the history of mankind that (potentially, likely) cemented the end of the Frost era.

Incompetence to the fullest extent.

No other way around it. Don’t try. #Huskers
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) August 27, 2022

It's crazy to think that an onside kick is what may prove to be the final undoing for Scott Frost.

Much left to be determined, but that decision might've prepared the guillotine.
— Dan Hoppen (@danhoppen) August 28, 2022

Omg that onside kick is going to live in infamy for so long if this goes south
— Jack Mitchell (@JackMitchellLNK) August 27, 2022

Onside kick changed the game. Rinse and repeat for Nebraska football. Forever undone by an unmatched ability to do something really fucking stupid at the exact wrong time.
— Jared Stansbury (@JaredStansbury) August 27, 2022

Onside kick because the Nebraska coaches are drinking the free beer just like the fans are.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) August 27, 2022

The only thing dumber than going for an onside kick, up 11, with 9 minutes left in the third quarter would be to not spend your Sunday Funday with us. Doors at noon out west, 1 PM downtown.
— Kros Strain Brewing (@krosstrainbeer) August 28, 2022

Nebraska goes:

TD
forced fumble
TD

Lead 28-17.

Then onside kick.

Lose 31-28.

One decision may not get you fired. But it can accelerate the process. #Huskers
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) August 27, 2022

Man I’m typically closed mouth on my opinions on coaching, but that’s just poor complimentary football, you have to play the field position there. Regardless if we even recover that ball, it’s a horrible call. No way you can think you’re closing a game out in the 3rd quarter. https://t.co/ayr0Ge2qGE
— Ameer Abdullah (@Ameerguapo) August 27, 2022

That onside kick call is going to keep Scott awake tonight
— Tommie Frazier & Co (@TouchdownTommie) August 27, 2022

"You know, in hindsight, it didn't work, so any time something doesn't work, you want it back."

- Scott Frost, on Nebraska's onside kick attempt pic.twitter.com/DtYBbvBxBq
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 28, 2022

More: HuskerMax game page