Same issues for Nebraska football, lead to same results

Unfortunately, Nebraska football fans have seen this story before.

For nearly three quarters, Nebraska outplayed USC. The Huskers weren’t dominating the game, but they had the lead, and after a fourth-down stop, they had momentum.

On the drive before, Dylan Raiola fumbled and was knocked out of the game after Andrew Marshall came up with an interception.

Still, the Huskers faced a fourth-and-one, up eight points, at the USC 34, with the second-leading rusher in the Big Ten, by the way.

After wasting two timeouts in a few plays, Matt Rhule decided on a field goal that fell short. In the blink of an eye, USC tied the game. Nebraska added a field goal later, before Jayden Maiava gave USC a four-point lead that might as well have been 10.

Without Raiola, Nebraska’s offense could barely function. Matt Rhule talked about protecting his quarterback in his opening press conference as the head coach. But in Nebraska’s biggest games, his team can’t do it.

Saturday night was the latest example. Let the quarterback get hit enough, and eventually, bad things will happen. The defense honestly did enough. It allowed 214 rushing yards, which was the other damning issue for the Huskers, but 21 points allowed against USC, half its season scoring average, would have been taken by Nebraska excitedly beforehand.

Emmett Johnson was incredible, rushing 29 times for 165 yards, fulfilling one of my pre-game predictions. Nebraska also allowed fewer sacks than USC, but the one hit on the quarterback was one too many.

TJ Lateef didn’t get sacked when he came in. He also couldn’t operate from the pocket, and if he needs to play for an extended period of time, Nebraska is in trouble. He’s nowhere close to ready.

Not that it matters. The season is basically over. The only meaningful thing left to be achieved is beating Iowa. Playing for bowl position already is disappointing.

The third-year leap didn’t happen, and unless this team dramatically improves in the trenches, it won’t take a fourth-year leap either.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.