So close, yet so far. Nebraska dropped its fourth straight game with a chance to clinch bowl eligibility, losing to USC, 28-20, Saturday in Los Angeles. The Huskers started the season 5-1, but have dropped nine straight games as a program when bowl eligibility could be clinched with a win.
Nebraska’s new-look offense under Dana Holgorsen was inconsistent, but scored three touchdown while also throwing two interceptions. It was actually the Blackshirts that got Nebraska on the board first. Less than four minutes into the game, former Trojan Ceyair Wright picked off a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown to give NU a 7-0 lead. USC scored back-to-back touchdowns t0 build a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
The Huskers answered on the ensuing drive, covering 75 yards on nine plays, culminating with Dylan Raiola hitting Emmett Johnson for his first career touchdown to tie the game with 9:21 to go at halftime. The Huskers pushed ahead with a John Hohl field goal of 29 yards to go ahead 17-14 with 9:37 to go in the third quarter. The lead didn’t last long, as Jayden Maiava hit Duce Robinson for a 40-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Nebraska’s best chance to take the lead came when Ty Robinson sacked Maiava and forced a fumble, recovered by Mikai Gbayor at the USC 16. But the Huskers had to settle for another Hohl field goal to cut the Trojans’ lead to 21-20 late in the third quarter. USC looked to have a great chance to extend the lead early in the fourth quarter with a field goal, but Ceyair Wright blocked it to keep the deficit at one. Still, the Huskers couldn’t capitalize and USC pushed the lead to 28-20 on a 13-play, 84-yard touchdown drive. Nebraska drove to USC’s 14, but Raiola’s last pass of the day was intercepted to seal the win for the Trojans.
The Huskers now have to win one of the final two games to clinch bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Nebraska kicks off against Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, with pregame coverage starting at 10:30 a.m. on KLIN and B-107.3.