Kenny Larabee, NRG Media
Nebraska overcame 16 penalties, a slow start and an inconsistent running game to defeat Maryland 48-23 Saturday at Memorial Stadium on Homecoming. The victory moved the Cornhuskers to 5-0 for the first time since 2016 and 2-0 in the conference for the first time since 2017, while dropping the Terrapins to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play.
Not that it was nearly as easy as the final score would suggest. Nebraska ran a total of nine plays on its first four drives, though one possession was a one-play, 19-yard touchdown by Mehki Nelson after a blocked punt. The Terrapins led 16-7 through the first quarter, one week after Maryland was blasted at home 54-3 by UCLA. The game seemed to be swinging in the Huskers’ favor, as Nelson scored a five-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 79-yard drive on the first snap of the second quarter. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Kade Pietrzak intercepted a Malik Washington pass. But the Nebraska drive sputtered at the Maryland 41, and on the first play of the Terps’ following drive, DeJuan Williams ran 56 yards to the NU 3. He scored on the next play, pushing the Maryland lead to 24-13 with 8:54 remaining until halftime.
After stopping the Huskers on their drive, the Terrapins were driving again. But on 3rd and 7 from the Nebraska 25, Washington threw a pass picked off by Dwayne McDougle, III, at the UM 19, and he weaved through Maryland 81 yards for a pick-six touchdown that flipped the momentum of the game. After a three-and-out by the Terrapins, Nebraska’s offense took over with 1:49 remaining in the half at its 20. The Huskers marched 80 yards in eight plays, with a one-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Colandrea to Luke Lindenmeyer capping the drive and giving Nebraska its first lead of the night, 28-23, just before halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, a Vincent Genatone touchdown run and two Kwazi Gilmer touchdown catches pushed the final margin to 25. The Blackshirts took over in the second half, allowing just 105 yards of total offense after halftime after surrendering 207 in the first quarter alone.
Colandrea rushed for a career-high 108 yards on 10 carries while throwing for 238 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and completing 26-of-39 passes. While Colandrea was Nebraska’s top runner, neither Nelson (14 carries, 39 yards) nor Isaiah Mozee (eight carries, 46 yards) was able to consistently gain yards on the ground. Freshman star Jamal Rule missed the game with the ankle injury that knocked him out of the last three quarters of the Michigan State game, though Rule suited up and was available to play. Gilmer was again the top target, making 11 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Huskers were penalized 16 times for 132 yards, while the Terrapins were flagged 12 times for 115 yards.
Nebraska will take a step up in competition next week, as the Huskers will host defending national champion and No. 6 Indiana at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 7 a.m. on KLIN and Froggy 98.