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Nebraska's Magic Number Is Still One

Once again, the Huskers manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
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Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins

For the second time in as many games, Nebraska played a team that was on a multi-game losing streak: At Michigan State last week, Sparty was on a six-game losing streak and today, Maryland had lost four in a row. The results for Nebraska were the same: two three-point losses. A common thread in both games was that Nebraska lost the turnover battle.

Today, the Huskers had a 3-5 deficit: four INTs and a lost fumble. That's insane. Still, the Huskers were in position to win it. Late in the game, Chubba Purdy had moved the Huskers to first and goal inside the Terp five yard line. You could almost smell the win. The least the Husker were going to get out of the drive was a chip-shot field goal to go up 13-10.

First two plays didn't gain much. Then it was third and goal from the Maryland four yard line. It seemed like a no-brainer. Run the ball and if you get stopped, kick a field goal on fourth down.

But inexplicably, Rhule and/or Marcus Satterfield called for a toss into the end zone. Sadly for Nebraska, Purdy's pass was picked off.

Please understand, I've never coached football on any level and I'm pretty certain those two coaches know a heck of a lot more about football than I, but goodness sakes, why not run the ball on third down? And if you don't get it, bring in Tristan Alvano to kick a likely game-winning field goal? Why not just get out of the contest with your sixth win of the season? Go bowling. Celebrate.

To Maryland's credit, they drove down the field and made a walk-off field goal. Final score: Maryland 13, NU 10.

Purdy Chubba Purdy 1 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Tad Stryker: Storybook Ending Goes Bad for Nebraska

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Purdy Chubba Purdy 1 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Tad Stryker: Storybook Ending Goes Bad for Nebraska

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Maryland gets to go bowling. For Nebraska, it was another painful loss.

The 5-5 Huskers have two chances to get at least one win for bowl eligibility. NU travels to Camp Randall Stadium to take on a struggling Wisconsin team Saturday night. Nebraska then hosts Iowa on Black Friday.

There isn't much else to say about this game. It was a stinker and a heartbreaker.

Can Nebraska get out of its own way to register another win? If the Huskers don't change their self-destructive ways, they will have no one to blame but themselves.

01_Heinrich Haarberg, Matt Rhule_FB vs Maryland 1111

Head coach Matt Rhule chats with quarterback Heinrich Haarberg prior to a play. 

02_Omar Brown, Marques Buford Jr_FB vs Maryland 1111

Omar Brown and Marques Buford Jr celebrate a defensive stop in the first quarter. 

03_John Bullock, Mikai Gbayor_FB vs Maryland 1111

John Bullock (5) and Mikai Gbayor tackle Maryland's Roman Hemby. 

04_Jeff Sims, Emmett Johnson_FB vs Maryland 1111

Quarterback Jeff Sims fakes a handoff to running back Emmett Johnson. 

05_Matt Rhule_FB vs Maryland 1111

Head coach Matt Rhule argues a pass interference that was not called. 

06_Marques Burford Jr, Tommi Hill_FB vs Maryland 1111

Marques Burford Jr (24) and Tommi Hill (31) break up Taulia Tagovailo's Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half. 

07_Jeff Sims_FB vs Maryland 1111

Jeff Sims (7) prepares for a pass. 

08_Ty Robinson_FB vs Maryland 1111

Ty Robinson (9) celebrates a Husker fumble recovery. 

09_Luke Lindenmeyer_FB vs Maryland 1111

Luke Lindenmeyer shouts after Nebraska recovers Maryland's fumble. 

10_Ty Robinson_FB vs Maryland 1111

Taulia Tagovailoa slips out of a Ty Robinson tackle. 

11_Jeff Sims_FB vs Maryland 1111

Jeff Sims throws toward Thomas Fidone II in the third quarter. 

12_Malcolm Hartzog_FB vs Maryland 1111

Nebraska's Malcom Hartzog pushes Antwain Littleton II out of bounds. 

13_Jimari Butler_FB vs Maryland 1111

Jimari Butler gets Taulia Tagovailoa to run out of bounds. 

14_Nash Hutmacher, Marques Buford Jr_FB vs Maryland 1111

Nash Hutmacher and Marques Buford Jr celebrate a stop on 4th and 1. 

15_Ty Robinson_FB vs Maryland 1111

Ty Robinson celebrates Nebraska's second fumble recovery of the game. 

16_Chubba Purdy_FB vs Maryland 1111

Chubba Purdy stiff-arms a Maryland defender on a run. 

17_Chubba Purdy_FB vs Maryland 1111

Chubba Purdy was the third and final quarterback to see playing time for the Huskers. 

Long Chris Long Tunnel Walk 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Former Husker Sgt. Chris Long leads the team out of the tunnel before the game.

Boerkircher Nate Boerkircher 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher rushes for an 11-yard gain on a fake punt during the first quarter of Saturday's game.

Bullock Alex Bullock 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock catches a pass for a short gain during the second quarter.

Grant Anthony Grant 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska running back Anthony Grant picks up 9 yards on a third-quarter carry.

Haarberg Heinrich Haarberg and Emmett Johnson 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg hands off to running back Emmett Johnson during the first quarter.

Sims Jeff Sims 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims runs for an 11-yard gain during the third quarter.

Herbie Husker 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Herbie Husker rides a tractor shooting T-shirts into the stands between the first and second quarters.

Johnson Emmett Johnson 1 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson picks up short yardage during the second quarter

Johnson Emmett Johnson 2 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Emmett Johnson takes off on a 29-yard run during the fourth quarter.

Purdy Chubba Purdy 1 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy is tackled after an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Purdy Chubba Purdy 2 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quaretrback Chubba Purdy reacts after his 11-yard gain.

Rhule Matt Rhule and Referee 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule shouts at an official during the fourth quarter.

Sims Jeff Sims and Nate Boerkircher 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims runs for 11 yards during the third quarter. 

Nebraska Maryland line of scrimmage 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

The Huskers get ready to snap the ball against the Maryland defense.

Bonner Janiran Bonner 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska's Janiran Bonner scores on a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter/

Brown Omar Brown 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska defensive back Omar Brown prepares to bring down Maryland's Jeshaun Jones in the first quarter

Sims Jeff sims 2 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims drops back to pass.

Buford Marquese Burford and Mikai Gbayor 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor and defensive back Marques Buford Jr. bring down Maryland's Roman Hemby in the first quarter.

Bullock Alex Bullock 2 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock can't quite come up with the catch on a pass from quarterback Heinrich Haarberg during the first quarter.

Fidone Thomas Fidone 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone turns upfield after catching a pass from quarterback Jeff Sims in the third quarter.

Johnson Emmett Johnson 4 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs for a short third-quarter gain.

Kemp Billy Kemp 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV prepares to catch a pass from quarterback Jeff Sims during the second quarter.

Purdy Chubba Purdy 3 2023 Nebraska-Maryland football

Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy scrambles for a 9-yard gain during the fourth quarter

USATSI_21872385

The Nebraska Cornhuskers marching band walks to the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Helicopter flyover 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21874374

Three CH-47 Chinook helicopters fly over the field during the national anthem before the game.

Tunnel Walk Veterans Day 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21874378

Former Nebraska Cornhuskers offensive guard Sgt. Chris Long leads the team onto the field before the game. 

USATSI_21872388

Maryland head coach Mike Locksley and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talk before the game.

USATSI_21872428

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes during the first quarter.

USATSI_21872427

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa looks to pass against the Nebraska defense during the first quarter.

USATSI_21872429

Maryland defensive back Dante Trader Jr. runs after intercepting a Heinrich Haarberg pass during the first quarter.

USATSI_21872430

Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher celebrates after a first down on a fake punt against Maryland during the first quarter.

USATSI_21872919

Maryland wide receiver Shaleak Knotts runs against Nebraska during the second quarter.

USATSI_21872917

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Jeff Sims 1st qtr

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims looks back after running for a first down during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Roman Hemby runs Mikai Gbayor and John Bullock 2nd qtr

Maryland running back Roman Hemby runs against Nebraska's Mikai Gbayor and John Bullock during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Emmett Johnson runs 2nd qtr

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson carries the ball during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Jeff Sims looks

Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims looks to pass against Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Tai Felton catches 2nd qtr

Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton catches a pass for a long gain against Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Tai Felton scores 2nd qtr

Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton scores a touchdown against the Nebraska defense during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Billy Kemp and BEau brade 2nd qtr

Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV is brought down by Maryland defensive back Beau Brade during the second quarter.

NU vs. MD 2023 - Taulia Tagovailoa passes 2nd qtr

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa passes during the second quarter.

Nebraska fan 4th quarter 2023 football vs Maryland USATSI_21874375

A Nebraska fan yells during a break before the fourth quarter.

Janiran Bonner TD 3Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873917

Janiran Bonner scores Nebraska's only touchdown on a third-quarter run.

4th down stop 3Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873904

Maryland running back Antwain Littleton II is stopped short of a first down on a fourth-down play by Nash Hutmacher (0), Javin Wright (33), and Tommi Hill (31) during the third quarter. 

Nash Hutmacher after 3Q stop 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21874373

Nebraska defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher celebrates after getting a stop on fourth down during the third quarter.

Jeff Sims pass 3Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873908

Nebraska's Jeff Sims passes during the third quarter.

Taulia Tagovailoa 3Q pass 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21874372

 Taulia Tagovailoa passes during the third quarter for Maryland. 

Jeff Sims run 3Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873905

Nebraska's Jeff Sims runs the ball during the third quarter.

Ty Robinson fumble recovery 4Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873825

Nebraska's Ty Robinson (9), linebacker Luke Reimer (4), and defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) celebrate after recovering a fumble during fourth quarter 

Chubba Purdy run 4Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873821

Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy picks up yardage on a fourth-quarter run.

Tarheeb Still interception return 4Q 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873822

Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still runs upfield after intercepting Chubba Purdy's pass during the fourth quarter.

Jack Howes after winning kick 2023 Nebraska vs Maryland football USATSI_21873824

Jack Howes celebrates with his Maryland teammates after making the winning field goal.

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