Breaking down the play that changed the game
The Smith interception/fumble and everything that surrounded it deserves a deeper look. That’s because there were several other notable plays, both before and after the legendary gaffe.
Tech took over trailing by four points with 4:49 to play. The drive’s first play was key because Hodges found Filani for 31 yards on a deep post pattern that set Tech up at the NU 36. That seemed to finally get the Red Raider offense out of neutral and back on track after sputtering for the previous two-plus quarters.
Moments later came a massive play that is all but forgotten because it directly proceeded Simth’s folly. Hodges completed a 4th-and-2 pass to Filani for six yards to keep the drive alive. That came just two plays after a fist-down sack put the Red Raiders in a 2nd-and-19 hole. Had the Red Raiders not converted the 4th down, Smith would never have had the opportunity to go down in Cornhusker infamy.
But that’s what happened one play later as the Huskers dropped their 300-pound nose tackle into coverage in the middle of the field.
Not under pressure for one of the few times in the second half, Hodges simply did not see NU linebacker Corey McKeon in the passing lane and McKeon got a hand on a pass over the middle intended for the crossing tight end Bristol Olomua.
Instinctively, Smith began to run with the ball looking like Yogi Bear trying to run off with a picnic basket. But after just two lumbering strides, backup Red Raider guard Brian Kegans made the play of his career and knocked the ball out of Smith’s hands allowing Danny Amendola to pounce on it.
Still, Tech had to score on the drive and it took them until their final play to get into the endzone. Under heavy pressure, Hodges rolled left and floated the ball to the crossing Filani who made the catch with a defender on his hip.
Throwing across his body, Hodges remained calm, set his feet, and floated the ball over a linebacker and right to Filani who was not even in the picture on the replay when Hodges released the pass. It was a remarkable throw, perhaps the best of Hodges’ career, but it too is overshadowed by the Smith fumble.
In the postgame interview on TBS…yes…TBS, Hodges said that the Red Raiders worked on that play every day in practice for just that type of situation. That preparation paid off allowing Tech to take advantage of the massive gift they received from Le Kevin Smith.
Smith went on to play in the NFL for New England from 2006-08 and Denver from 2009-10 before retiring in 2011. But the most notable play he ever made is one that he and all of Nebraska would love to forget.