Gophers replay: a look back at Nebraska, ahead to Michigan

The recap: After a Gophers fumble, Tommy Armstrong Jr. scrambled on third-and-13, hitting Alonzo Moore with a 32-yard touchdown pass for a 14-7 lead. The Cornhuskers led 24-14 at halftime and pulled away with a 99-yard touchdown drive early in the third quarter. Armstrong finished with 261 yards passing and three touchdowns.

What was learned: Defense had been the Gophers' strength, but they gave up their most points since their 58-0 loss at Michigan in 2011. Nebraska offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf kept the Gophers off balance, as the Cornhuskers averaged 5.2 yards per rush and 10 yards per passing attempt.

• The Gophers got career-high receiving yardage from KJ Maye (94), Eric Carter (91) and Brandon Lingen (54). Drew Wolitarsky added seven catches for 54 yards, as Mitch Leidner had his first career 300-yard passing day.

• Nebraska took home the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy, which mascot Goldy Gopher introduced to the rivalry last season. "I don't even know where it came from," Huskers defensive tackle Vincent Valentine told the Lincoln Journal-Star.

• The Cornhuskers said they were motivated by Gophers guard Jon Christenson's comments about pushing Nebraska around the previous two years. "It definitely put a fire underneath us," defensive lineman Greg McMullen told the Grand Island (Neb.) Independent.

• The Gophers have sold out all four home games this year, and Saturday's announced attendance, 54,062, was the second biggest in their six years at TCF Bank Stadium. The largest was 54,147 for this year's opener against TCU.

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The skinny: Michigan and Duke are tied for first in the nation in scoring defense (9.3 points per game). The Wolverines, who lost their opener at Utah, had blanked BYU (31-0), Maryland (28-0) and Northwestern (38-0) before Saturday's 27-23 loss to Michigan State. Michigan held the Spartans to 62 rushing yards, but Connor Cook made the difference, passing for 328 yards. For the game, Michigan State actually outgained Michigan 386-230. Michigan linebacker Joe Bolden got ejected on a controversial targeting call. He won't have to miss any of the Gophers game, since the penalty came in the first half against MSU. Quarterback Jake Rudock, a transfer from Iowa, ranks fifth in the Big Ten with a 61.7 completion percentage.