The Associated Press
Miami (2-1) at No. 24 Nebraska (3-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Nebraska by 7 ½.
Series Record: Tied 5-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Miami believes it’s a better team than the one that lost at Louisville in its opener. There’s no better way to find out than playing on the road in front of 90,000 fans, many of whom remember the days when the Hurricanes beat their Cornhuskers regularly in bowl games. Nebraska’s best test came from FCS McNeese State, and it barely escaped. The Huskers could use a solid win over a quality opponent before Big Ten play begins.
KEY MATCHUP
Miami offensive line vs. Nebraska defensive line. The Hurricanes must keep freshman QB Brad Kaaya upright if they’re going to win. They’ll be going against one of the best defensive-end tandems in the country in Randy Gregory and Greg McMullen.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Miami: RB Duke Johnson is fresh after carrying a light load against overmatched opponents the last two weeks. If he can dent Nebraska’s defense, it’ll take pressure off Kaaya and keep the ball away from the Huskers’ Ameer Abdullah-led offense.
Nebraska: QB Tommy Armstrong has established himself as a strong runner, but he needs to be more polished as a passer. Armstrong has been in the habit of forcing the ball downfield when it would have been smarter to dump it off to Abdullah. Miami is good enough to make him pay.
FACTS & FIGURES
Nebraska will honor its 1994 national championship team, which beat Miami 24-17 in the Orange Bowl. … National titles have been decided in four of the teams’ last five meetings, all in bowls. … Abdullah needs 61 yards to pass Roy Helu Jr. and Eric Crouch and rank third behind Mike Rozier and Ahman Green on Nebraska’s career rushing chart. … Phil Dorsett’s 201-yard receiving game against Arkansas State last week marked first time since 1990 that a Miami receiver went over 200 yards. … Miami is allowing 2 yards per rush, ranking fourth nationally.
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