Where do they go from here?
The Nebraska Cornhuskers again lost a one-score game against the Maryland Terrapins 13-10. With the loss, the Huskers fall to 5-5 on the season and now head into Camp Randall next week with two straight losses.
Here are takeaways from Saturday’s game.
Takeaways from Nebraska’s 13-10 loss to Maryland
Turnovers were Gut Wrenching
Nebraska’s defense didn’t get a break when it mattered the most, as the offense turned the ball over five times. It all started with sophomore Heinrich Haarberg, who threw an interception on the first drive. After two drives with Haarberg under center, junior Jeff Sims took over for a hurt Haarberg.
Sims started great, leading the Huskers down the field until the Terrapins’ defense stopped them on fourth down. The next drive was the same: Sims led Nebraska down the field until throwing an interception in the endzone. Nebraska would score on back-to-back drives before turning the ball over on back-to-back drives.
Then, a third quarterback was put in. Sophomore Chubba Purdy (yes, he’s related to Brock Purdy of the 49ers) replaced Sims. Purdy would take the Huskers 90 yards to the Maryland seven-yard line. You would think Nebraska would score on that drive, but you would be wrong. He threw an interception to senior defensive back Tarheeb Still, who had his second interception for the Maryland defense.
The turnovers killed any potential success that the Huskers’ offense had against Maryland throughout the season. Nebraska leads the entire FBS in turnovers committed with 27 on the season.
Blackshirts Did Everything They Needed to Do
The Blackshirts did everything they could to keep the Huskers in the game. They gave the Nebraska offense multiple opportunities to score, but turnovers forced the defense into bad situations. In the end, Nebraska’s defense did what they were supposed to and only allowed 13 points to a high-powered Terrapins offense.
The defense struggled with tackling in the open field and putting pressure on senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa was only sacked once, but when the defense would get pressure, he would get out of the pocket and find an open lane to throw or run. An issue the Blackshirts have had throughout this season has been forcing turnovers. Well, they forced three turnovers, two fumbles, and one interception.
The defense has done well at keeping the team in the game, but the offense must do their part.
Still Only Win Away
The feelings were high after Nebraska’s 31-14 win over Purdue only two weeks ago. The win over the Boilermakers put Nebraska at 5-3 on the season, only needing one more win to bowl eligibility. Two weeks later, the Huskers have yet to get that final win. Sitting at 5-5, they still can get there.
It won’t be easy, as Nebraska has to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall. Where the Huskers last won a game in 1966. Now, the Badgers are in the same situation as Nebraska. Wisconsin is 5-5 on the season and has lost three straight. This game will be massive for both sides in their quests for a bowl game.
The Huskers finish the regular season with the Hero’s Game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes sit atop the Big Ten West with an 8-2 record and a 5-2 record in the conference. Last season, Nebraska won for the first time in seven seasons against Iowa, and now it gets a chance to keep the trophy in Lincoln.
The Huskers have two chances to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2016. Nebraska can do it with two winnable games left. The question is, can they take advantage of it?
