Nebraska scored on a 3-yard pass from Dylan Riola to Dane key with 1:08 remaining on the clock to defeat Maryland 34-31. But even then, the game wasn’t over until Terps QB Malik Washington threw an incomplete pass on fourth and four from Nebraska’s 49-yard line. The change of possession allowed Nebraska for the second week and a row to end the game in victory formation.
But this game had too many similarities to the Michigan State game with the Huskers once again finding themselves riding the rollercoaster. This game was up and down and back and forth, as Nebraska scored the first 10 points, Maryland the next 14 points, Nebraska the next 14, Maryland the next 17, and the Huskers finishing with the last 10 points.
Raiola had his worst day of the season against Michigan State last week, and if the Huskers had lost this game, it would have been Raiola’s worst two game stretch since being named the starter. He finished the day 20/29 for 260 yards, 4 TDs, and 3 INTs. All three of his interceptions were bad, with one being returned the distance for 67 yards and a TD. He’s now thrown 5 interceptions in the last three games.
With Maryland’s ability to pressure the QB, Nebraska’s game plan was to get the ball out quickly, and they did that. Hitting Nyziah Hunter on a screen pass for the second week in a row that went 64-yards for a TD. I blame Riola’s interceptions on his getting the ball out too quickly and not taking time to read coverage. Nebraska was up 10-0 when the first interception occurred, it was Nebraska’s 23rd offensive play. The second interception was on their 31st play, and the third on their 40th play. That’s only nine plays between picks. Maryland had time to adjust and figure out what the Huskers were doing and started jumping routes. With Maryland scoring 17 points off turnovers, Holgorsen tried to settle things down by calling 5 running plays in a row after the interception. Over the next 9 plays 2 more were runs, including Emmett Johnson’s 50-yard scamper.
Johnson can only be described as Superman after having his best game as a Husker, rushing for 176 yards on 21 carries for an 8.4 yard per carry average. He also had 2 receptions for 20 yards. And while he never scored, the Huskers would have lost this game without him. Which again brings up the RB2 question. Rhule and Holgorsen both mentioned early in the season that Emmett Johnson won’t be able to stand up to the beating dished out by Big Ten defenses touching the ball 20 plus times a game. The second leading ball carrier for the second week in a row was Isiah Mozee, 5 carries for 24 yards. He only had 3 carries for 9 yards last week against MSU. 8 total carries for 33 yards over the last two games seems like a far cry from what’s needed at RB2. Rhule and staff must figure out sooner than later who RB2 is.
WR Nyziah Hunter continues to be Nebraska’s big threat receiver, last week catching 4 balls for 93 yards and a TD, and this week catching 5 balls for 125 yards and 2 TDs. After not having a catch last week, Dan Key once again found himself involved catching 4 balls for 43 yards and the game winning TD. Jacory Barney has taken a step backward over the last two games, now having 347 yards and 3 TDs on the season. But he’s only had 5 receptions for 63 yards with no TDs the last two games. He’s taken some vicious hits, and one must ask if the additional work on punt returns is having an effect.
Credit the offensive line for limiting the leading sack defense in the Big Ten to 1 sack. The Bamboo Crew also may have had their best day of run blocking with the Huskers rushing for 194 yards on 29 carries for a 6.7 yard per carry average.
Defensively it was a long day for the Blackshirts. Coming into the game Maryland was in the bottom half of the Big Ten in 3rd down efficiency. Against the Huskers, the Terps converted 7/15 for 46%, making it difficult for the defense to get off the field. Before Maryland the Blackshirts only allowed one QB to pass for more than 100 yards in their first five games but Maliek Washington went 27/37 for 249 yards and 1 TD. Maryland was finally a true test for this Blackshirt pass defense. The numbers up to this point were skewed, with teams able to run the ball on the Huskers and disregarding the pass. Going into the game Maryland only averaged 93.3 yards rushing per game but put up 130 yards and 2 TDs on 30 carries against the Blackshirts.
Maryland’s ability to pass was directly related to the Huskers not getting pressure on the QB. The Terps had only allowed 1 sack going into the game, and they only gave up 1 to Nebraska. Washington had time to throw and never truly looked rattled, with the Blackshirts only getting 16 QB pressures on 37 drop backs. However, of the 16 pressures, the defensive line accounted for 15 of them. Williams Nwaneri accounted for 8 of those and Cade Pietrzak got the lone sack. But, as always with young players, you must take the good with the bad, the pair was also responsible for 5 missed tackles.
Leading tacklers for the Huskers were LBs Javin Wright, 12 total, 9 solos, and Marques Watson-Trent 6 total, 4 solos. The next four were all DBs, Singleton, Guthrie, Ceyair Wright, and Andrew Marshall. The secondary logged 22 of Nebraska’s 58 total tackles. That number would have been higher, but Ceyair Wright and Andrew Marshall had multiple missed tackles. They both had low PPF grades for tackling, Wright 29.2 and Marshall 33.9. Defensive backs leading your team in tackles is never a good thing. It means that QBs are completing passes and runners are getting to the third level. The Blackshirts finished the day with only 4 tackles for a loss and never took the ball away.
After the game HC Matt Rhule talked about his team’s resiliency, once again coming from behind in the 4th quarter to win the game. I understand Rhule’s excitement, with falling behind late, Nebraska would have lost the last two games in the past. Part of the ability to come back revolves around OC Dana Holgorsen’s offense. In the old days it was always a knock on the Huskers being a running team, they didn’t have the ability to come back. With Holgorsen and Raiola’s talent, this team is different. But if the Huskers don’t find some consistency on both sides of the ball they’ll be in trouble. Nebraska is getting into the meat of their schedule. Still left on the schedule are:
Minnesota at home. The Gophers are always tough for Nebraska. Rhule lost his first game as Nebraska’s coach there two years ago. Let’s hope PJ Fleck doesn’t again row circles around Rhule.
Northwestern in Lincoln. The Wildcats just beat Penn State and may be turning their season around. The Huskers cannot take this team lightly.
USC in Lincoln. USC is USC, they beat a Michigan team soundly who made Nebraska’s run defense look foolish at home. Many have pointed at this game as Nebraska’s second loss of the season.
UCLA at home. After the first four games UCLA looked like a cakewalk. But not now, they are looking like the team we anticipated at the beginning of the season and will be dangerous.
Penn State at home. With the firing of James Franklin this one is a hard read. But the Nittany Lions are a talented team who may be on a mission with all that has transpired. If they can get back to winning, they’ll be all Nebraska can handle.
Iowa in Lincoln. The Hawkeyes have broken the Husker’s hearts in the last two seasons with walk off field goal wins, they are never easy. I’d love to see Rhule get one on Ferentz before he rides off into the sunset.
It’s a short week for the Huskers before Minnesota. Let’s hope Rhule can get his team on track, and the Penn State coaching search doesn’t become distracting. If the Huskers can find some consistency so they don’t need resiliency, they’ll be okay. If they can’t, three consecutive weeks on the rollercoaster with another loss to Minnesota will cause this fan base to turn green and blow chunks.
GO BIG RED!!
Photos courtesy of The Falls City Journal
Stats gathered from ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
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