Nebraska football just can’t get out of its own way right now.
The Huskers committed five turnovers in a 13-10 loss to Maryland Saturday. NU is now 5-5 on the season and still looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
The turnovers aren’t on any single player: one interception by Heinrich Haarberg, a fumble and two interceptions by Jeff Sims, and an interception by Chubba Purdy. The only common denominator among them is a trio of quarterbacks with a subpar ability to accurately pass the football being asked to do so more than they should by offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and head coach Matt Rhule.
Two of the interceptions were in the end zone, with the final one being a third and seven from the Maryland seven yard line and just 3:37 to go in the game. The score was tied at that point, which would lead one to believe that a run and a field goal attempt were coming up.
Instead, Maryland took advantage of a pass interference to pick up a first down and march down the field for a game winning field goal as time expired.
Haarberg got the start at quarterback, playing all of the first quarter and just a drive into the second quarter before leaving with an ankle injury. He finished 1-for-5 through the air for zero yards and an interception. Haarberg added a pair of runs for no yards.
Sims entered the game in the second quarter. He was intercepted in the end zone just before half then played a clean third quarter, that included 10 points off of Maryland turnovers. Then in the fourth quarter, in back-to-back plays, Sims fumbled to set up a Terrapin field goal and threw and interception at midfield. He finished with 62 yards through the air on 8-of-13 passing, with two picks, adding 33 yards on the ground.
Purdy then got his number called for meaningful snaps for the first time this season. In his lone drive, he led the team 90 yards but finished it with an interception in the end zone. Purdy was 1-for-3 passing for 24 yards and an interception, adding 33 yards rushing.
Nebraska’s offense gained 269 yards in total, with 183 on the ground and 86 through the air. Freshman Emmett Johnson carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards.
The Blackshirts, despite giving up 384 yards, had a solid outing. NU’s defense forced three turnovers, including a fumble to stop Maryland at the three and set up the final offensive drive for the offense. The interception was by Javin Wright, who also forced a fumble. Omar Brown and Ty Robinson recovered the two fumbles.
Nebraska heads to Wisconsin next Saturday.
Nebraska Postgame Notes
- Maryland picked up its first win over Nebraska, as the Huskers fell to 2-1 all-time against the Terrapins.
- Nebraska held Maryland to 13 points, marking the fifth straight game the Huskers have allowed 20 or fewer points. This is the first time Nebraska has held five straight opponents to 20 or fewer points since the final eight games of the 2009 season.
- Nebraska did not allow a rushing touchdown for the fifth consecutive game. This is the first time Nebraska has not allowed a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games since a six-game stretch during the 1996 season.
- Linebacker Javin Wright intercepted a third-quarter Maryland pass to set up a Husker field goal. It was the second interception of his career, including a pick earlier this season against Northern Illinois. Wright also forced a fourth-quarter fumble to stop a Maryland scoring threat.
- Wright had eight tackles in the game, bettering his career high of seven tackles earlier this season against Michigan.
- Safety Omar Brown forced and recovered a fumble in the third quarter to set up a Nebraska touchdown. It was Brown’s second forced fumble of the season and his NU career, and his first fumble recovery as a Husker. Brown added two pass breakups and six tackles in the game.
- Running back Emmett Johnson rushed 17 times for 84 yards, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 50 yards on the ground. Johnson set career highs in both carries and yards.
- Fullback Janiran Bonner scored on a 2-yard TD run in the third quarter, marking his first career touchdown.
- Right tackle Bryce Benhart made his 39th career start at right tackle in today’s game, tying Dan Vili Waldrop for the most starts by a Husker at right tackle. The 39 career starts are also tied for the second-most ever by any Husker offensive lineman (Jeremiah Sirles, 41).
- Rover Isaac Gifford had seven tackles and 0.5 TFLs, marking his fifth straight game with a tackle for loss. He is the first Husker with a TFL in five straight games since JoJo Domann in 2021.
- Ty Robinson set career highs in tackles (7), tackles for loss (1.5) and pass breakups (2) while adding a fumble recovery.
- Jimari Butler tied his career highs with 1.5 TFLs and one pass breakup.
- Nick Henrich had five tackles in the game to give him 200 career tackles. He is the 42nd Husker with 200 career tackles.
- Billy Kemp IV caught two passes for 30 yards. He eclipsed 2,000 career receiving yards in today’s game, including his time at Virginia.
- Nebraska did not commit a penalty in the first half, extending its streak to six quarters without a penalty (0-0 vs. Michigan State). NU finished the game with one penalty for 5 yards.
- Today’s game captains were WR Billy Kemp, OT Bryce Benhart, P Brian Buschini, LB Mikai Gbayor.