An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in a combustion engine. The method includes a shift detection module determining an out of gear (OOG) indicator for a manual transmission. The method further includes an engine speed module determining an engine speed target based on at least one operating condition of the engine. The method continues with a load determination module determining an engine load target in response to the OOG indicator and an engine acceleration module determining a desired net torque based on the engine speed target and the engine load target. Finally, the method concludes with an emissions module determining a minimum fuel target based on the desired net torque and an actuation module generating a fueling signal to engage an engine fueling.