3 takeaways from Nebraska’s heartbreaking loss to No. 7 Indiana

Nebraska football had Indiana right where it wanted them. Leading 17-6 in the fourth quarter, it felt like a breakthrough was finally happening. Until it wasn’t.

Two long touchdown passes from Josh Hoover to Nick Marsh dashed those hopes. The first came right after an Anthony Colandrea touchdown that made it 17-6 Huskers.

From there it was all Indiana, which rallied for the 20-17 win. Here are three takeaways.

Nebraska was the better team except where it counts

Nebraska had more total yards, passing yards, rushing yards and nearly twice as many plays. The Huskers possessed the ball. They just just didn’t finish drives.

Penalties hurt. So did the missed field goal in a 3-point game. The last two Nebraska drives are worlds different if the score is tied.

Nebraska doesn’t have time for moral victories. But the Huskers did out play the national champs. You can’t ignore that fact.

Huskers held up in the trenches

Indiana got some pressure in the fourth quarter especially, but the Nebraska offensive line was effective. Nebraska ran for 128 yards. A lot of that was Colandrea. Still they weren’t overwhelmed.

The run defense held Indiana to under three yards per rushing attempt and Josh Hoover had the longest run of 16 yards.

We have been wondering how this running game and run defense would hold up against top competition. Well, it doesn’t get any better than Indiana.

The Huskers have to finish the job next time. But they didn’t look out of place at all. This is a team that can win 9-10 games.

A ranked win is coming

Whether it’s Oregon next week, Ohio State or Iowa, the Huskers will end the losing streak against ranked teams this season. It has been torturous. Saturday was brutal.

The end was a gut punch. The first 50 minutes was some of the best football the Huskers have played in 25 years.

Take away what you will, for me, the arrow is pointing up.