Published Saturday, September 29, 2012 AT 9:55 PM / Updated at 9:57 PM
Third quarter: Wisconsin 27, Nebraska 27
Jon Nyatawa Omaha World-Herald

Here comes Nebraska. After an inauspicious start to the second half, the Huskers have managed to completely regain control of the momentum.

Taylor Martinez lost a fumble, leading to an easy Wisconsin touchdown drive and giving the Badgers a 27-10 lead.

But the Huskers responded.

First, a four-play TD drive — highlighted by a key Kenny Bell catch and a high hit on safety Michael Trotter (replays showed it was a good call by the refs). Then, a 10-play TD drive — when Ameer Abdullah started showcasing his talent, carring four times for 28 yards.

Nebraska’s next possession stalled near the outskirts of the red zone, but Brett Maher’s 38-yard field goal tied the game at 27.

>> Linebacker Sean Fisher’s made a few nice plays against Montee Ball, preventing a possible big gain on a potential cutback. The biggest came on third down with about eight minutes left in the third quarter, forcing a punt.

>> Quite a rebound in the second half for Nebraska’s secondary. Those defensive backs have been better, though they did leave receiver Jared Abbrederis wide open for a 26-yard pass on the final play of the fourth quarter. Miscommunication, it seems.

>> Defensive end David Gilbert backed up his pregame trash-talk by forcing that fumble on Martinez early in the third quarter. He was held on the play, too. … Gilbert was also inches away from intercepting a pass, but it fell incomplete.

>> Nebraska’s found some success with a simple quarterback draw play, where Martinez follows Rex Burkhead through the line of scrimmage. Scored a touchdown on it. … The play is awfully similar to the call that Braxton Miller and Ohio State used to repeatedly gash NU last season.

>> Abdullah looked a step quicker than everyone on the field in the third quarter. He has six carries for 51 yards after halftime.

>> Nebraska’s up-tempo pace offensively really seemed to bother Wisconsin in the third quarter. At one point on the third drive, the Badgers substituted in an entire new four-man front. When the Huskers are clicking — and not stepping on their own toes — they’re tough to stop.

About Jon Nyatawa

Jon Nyatawa has covered local sports, primarily Nebraska football, for The Omaha World-Herald since 2008. He and his laptop, cell phone, tape recorder, pen and notebook all live in Lincoln. Follow him on Twitter: @JonNyatawa. Email him here: jon.nyatawa@owh.com. He welcomes feedback.