East Lansing, Mich. — For North Platte native Vincent Genatone, Saturday night was years in the making.
The fifth-year Nebraska running back scored twice as the Huskers defeated Michigan State 31-13, helping Nebraska open a season 4-0 for the first time in 10 years.
Genatone accounted for 14 of Nebraska's 31 points, scoring once through the air and once on the ground.
His first touchdown came with two seconds remaining in the first half, when quarterback Anthony Colandrea found Genatone for a 13-yard touchdown reception.
It was the first reception and first touchdown of Genatone's Nebraska career.
“I've just been praying a long time for this,” Genatone said after the game. “You know, I just praise God for everything that I've had, all the trials and all the success that's come with it. ... And for it to actually come through is just an amazing feeling.”
Genatone added his second touchdown in the fourth quarter, powering into the end zone from one yard out with 10:05 remaining to give Nebraska a 31-13 lead.
He finished the game with three rushing attempts for four yards and a touchdown, along with his 13-yard touchdown reception.
But the touchdowns were only part of the story.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule praised Genatone for the work he put in throughout the week, describing him as a “hard-nosed, blue-collar dude” who has been a contributor on special teams and in short-yardage situations.
Rhule said Genatone spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday working on special teams and also spent part of the week playing the role of Michigan State running back Cam Edwards on the scout team.
“He doesn't ask me for a chance,” Rhule said. “He just, when he gets a chance, he takes advantage of it.”
That preparation became especially important on Genatone's first touchdown.
Genatone said he had been working with the scout team all week and had not recently run the play that Nebraska called with the clock winding down before halftime.
But he had been in the running backs' meeting rooms every day.
“Coach EJ's talking to us about what we're doing,” Genatone said. “... Everybody in the room knows what to do, knows how to run those plays. So it's just, I hear the play call. I just do what I'm supposed to do.”
Colandrea said the play had not been repped together, but Genatone made the most of the opportunity.
“Vince did a great job of getting open,” Colandrea said.
When Genatone was asked what it felt like to score his first touchdown, there wasn't much hesitation.
“It was just exhilarating,” he said. “I was just trying to get to my teammates ... and thank them because ... it takes 11 guys.”
Genatone also credited Barthel for helping prepare him for the moment.
“He pushes everybody in our room to be at their best,” Genatone said. He added that Nebraska's running backs take pride in being the “best running back room in the nation” and having no drop-off regardless of who is on the field.
Rhule's appreciation for Genatone's work extended beyond the two touchdowns. The coach said he awarded Genatone the game ball, not simply because he is a walk-on who found the end zone, but because of the work he put in during the week.
“He went in there and executed,” Rhule said.
For Genatone, Saturday's performance was a payoff for the opportunities that have come throughout his Nebraska career.
“I just took the opportunities that were given to me and tried to do the best I could with it,” he said.
And on a night when Nebraska made history with its first 4-0 start in a decade, a North Platte native was responsible for 14 of the Huskers' 31 points.
Two touchdowns.
A game ball.
And a night Genatone won't soon forget.