Zac Taylor saved Nebraska with his feet.

That’s somewhat ironic, considering Taylor’s arm is what many fans and pundits expected to give the Huskers’ offense a lift this season.

So far, it hasn’t. But Taylor, described by many, including himself, as immobile, did just enough on the ground Saturday in Nebraska’s 7-6 victory against Pittsburgh at Memorial Stadium.

“I never would’ve pictured that,” Taylor said. “I know I’m not fast, by any stretch of the imagination, but I know I can make small plays like that.”

First of all, Taylor scored the game’s only touchdown. He rolled out on a naked bootleg, found his intended receiver was covered and dove for the end zone from the 1-yard line.

In the third quarter, he saved two points by averting a safety. Facing heavy pressure in his end zone, Taylor somehow escaped a sack and fell forward to the 3-yard line for a loss of one yard on a second-and-11 play.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, with NU facing third-and-7 from its 35, Taylor scrambled for a gain of 10 yards. That highlighted a 10-play drive that ate time and changed field position in NU’s favor.

“The most important thing you have to do,” Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said, “is be resourceful.”

That, and not commit turnovers. Taylor had no interceptions for the first time in three games, and the Huskers lost no fumbles.

“The most important thing that we stress all year is ball security,” Norvell said. “Zac really understands that, and knock on wood, he continues to understand that.”

But Taylor, who was 10-of-20 passing for 93 yards, was also sacked four times. Two were on back-to-back plays late in the second quarter, when it appeared he could’ve gotten rid of the ball, but didn’t.

“There was one particular route I couldn’t see where the receiver was, and I didn’t want to just throw it and not know what’s out there,” Taylor said. “The second time, I just waited too long for things to develop. Really, the offensive line was giving me time. Just two or three times where I held the ball too long.”

Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner said passing protection “was better” Saturday, but also said Taylor needs to get rid of the ball sooner on some plays.

“Waste the ball. Don’t throw it down the field,” Wagner said. “That’s why I was happy to see him pull the ball down and run it a couple of times. If there’s nobody open, you’re not going to hold the protection that long. Teams are going to continue to pressure us if we don’t get our receivers open.”

Norvell said situations like those that ended the first half are the responsibility of the entire offensive unit.

“We had some max protections and we had four-man rush, so (Taylor) was waiting for the guy to get open,” Norvell said. “Zac understands he has to get the ball gone, and we have to do a great job of protecting, so it’s a combination of both.

“He’s got to read progressions, he’s got to follow, guys have to get open and guys have to protect. He understands he has to see throws and make plays and not put our offense in a bad position with a turnover.”

Nebraska, leading 7-0, had possession at the Pitt 30-yard line with 1 minute, 54 seconds remaining until halftime, thanks to a 62-yard punt return by Terrence Nunn. But the consecutive sacks resulted in 20 lost yards, and Nebraska eventually punted.

“That hurt us, because we felt like we were in field position and we wanted to score,” Norvell said. “That’s tough. We have got to be the kind of team that finds a way to win. That’s what we’ve got to do on offense. Until we get some established guys at the skill positions that are playmakers, we’ve just got to find ways to get first downs and score points.”

Frantz Hardy, who caught two passes for 15 yards, said Taylor was calm and poised in the pocket, trying to find open receivers.

Taylor, meanwhile, said he’s seeing progress.

“Honestly, I think I’m improving,” he said. “I really felt confident today. We didn’t throw the ball a lot, but I was really confident, and there was no time I was nervous.”

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.