Both Nebraska and Fresno State have had disappointing starts to the 2014 season, yet they have opposite records. The 2-0 Cornhuskers will travel to face the 0-2 Bulldogs Saturday night, pitting two very different offensive styles against each other.
How to watch Nebraska vs. Fresno State: Game time, TV schedule, live online streaming and more
Will the Cornhuskers recover from a disappointing Week 2 and stay undefeated?


The run-heavy Cornhuskers had no problem with Florida Atlantic, brushing the Conference USA squad aside in a 55-7 stomping. McNeese State, ranked sixth in the FCS Coaches poll? A much tougher task for Nebraska, who just barely survived the 31-24 victory. The Cowboys scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to tie it up, but Ameer Abdullah (who otherwise struggled in the game) rumbled to the end zone on a 58-yard pass reception for the winning score with 20 seconds left.
Fresno State may not pass as well without Derek Carr, but it’s still running a quarterback-focused offense. The pass attempt numbers are down (just fourth in the Mountain West), but Duke transfer Brandon Connette adds a different aspect to the position: power running. He’s second on the team in rushing -- Marteze Waller, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, is first and gives the Bulldogs a more than serviceable option in the backfield. Third is quarterback Brian Burrell, who is more of a passing-focused option and has been splitting snaps with Connette.
How to witness
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Radio: For a list of Nebraska affiliates, click here. For Fresno State, 940 AM ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes Radio 1600 AM, and KNZR 1560AM & KSMJ-FM 97.7 FM in Bakersfield.
Online streaming: N/A.
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The numbers
Rankings and records: Nebraska is ranked No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, and is not ranked in the AP Poll. Fresno State is not ranked in either poll. The Cornhuskers are 2-0, while the Bulldogs are 0-2. Nebraska holds a 1-0 all-time record in the series.
Vegas: Nebraska opened as a 10-point favorite and is now a 12-point favorite.
Weather forecast: 77 degrees and clear.
Two things at stake
Nebraska fell out of the AP Top 25 after its close win against McNeese State. The Cornhuskers need to impress to get back into national consideration.
Fresno State’s tough opening slate has left the team looking squarely at 0-3. With just one FCS game between them and conference play, the Bulldogs will need to do everything they can to avoid another poor performance.
One key matchup
Nebraska rushing offense vs. Fresno State rushing defense. With quarterback Tommy Armstrong and running back Ameer Abdullah, the Cornhuskers possess one of the fiercest rushing duos in the country. The two have combined for 239.5 yards per game this season, but Abdullah struggled on the ground against McNeese State. Let’s not forget how that game ended:
Fresno State has given up 4.53 yards per rush this season, struggling to contain USC’s Javorius Allen (22 carries, 133 yards) and Utah’s Kendal Thompson (nine rushes, 71 yards). The Bulldogs do have experience up front: all of their front seven players are either juniors (four) or seniors (three). Leading the way have been junior inside linebacker Kyrie Wilson (21 tackles, one fumble forced) and junior outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine (12 tackles, four for a loss).
Further reading
For more on Nebraska, head on over to Corn Nation. For full coverage of Fresno State and the rest of the Mountain West, check out Mountain West Connection.












