Overreactions, grades and game balls from Nebraska’s win over Maryland

Things are getting exciting for Nebraska football fans.

The Huskers aren’t perfect. They have flaws. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth because Nebraska is 5-0 for the first time in a decade.

For the first time in 25 years, Nebraska will play another 5-0 team in Lincoln Memorial Stadium. The last time was the No. 1 vs. No. 2 game against Oklahoma — one of the greatest memories of my childhood outside of the three national title teams.

Anyway, back to the Terps.

Nebraska had over 200 rushing/passing yards. They held Maryland to 1-of-14 on third downs and kept them scoreless in the second half as part of a 34-0 run. They won their first two Big Ten games by an average of 21.5 points. 

Maryland and Michigan State are two of the worst teams in the Big Ten, so keep that in mind, but the Huskers have won going away, just as they should have.

Things will need to be cleaned up to beat Indiana, a 7.5-point favorite, the No. 7 team in the AP poll, and the defending national champs. But let’s look at the overreactions, grades, and game balls from Maryland.

Penalties will kill Nebraska against Indiana

They could. Nebraska will need to play a clean game, but the refs in this game were the problem. They called some weird things on both sides. The two teams were penalized 28 times for over 250 yards.

It was bizarre. This team has had some penalty issues, but they have been a little exaggerated. That being said, they need to keep it at like 3-4 penalties to have a chance against Indiana. That’s one team that doesn’t need any free first downs. You also don’t want to be sitting at 1st-and-20 or 1st-and-15.

Grades for Nebraska football vs. Maryland

Offense (A-): The Huskers scored six touchdowns, including three on consecutive drives in the second half. There was one turnover, a turnover on downs on a 4th-and-2 (hated the play call), and a missed field goal, which wasn’t on them. Anthony Colandrea accounted for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Huskers converted six third downs and scored in the two-minute drill. That’s an A.

Defense (B): Maryland finished with 395 yards. The thing that concerned me more was the two plays of longer than 50 yards. That’s how the Terps scored both of their touchdowns. The defense will need to be more disciplined. However, three points allowed in the second half of Big Ten games after two weeks is a great spot to be in. The Blackshirts also changed the game with the Dwayne McDougle pick-six and one of two interceptions. Nebraska is allowing just five points per game in the second half.

Special teams (C): The Huskers missed out on four points due to missed kicks. The 52-yarder is hard to complain about, but that’s the kind of thing to have to execute to beat a team like Indiana. Maryland also ripped off a 36-yard kickoff return. The missed extra point is the real downgrade.

Coaching (B): The start should have been better. I also didn’t like going for it on 4th-and-2, then punting on 4th-and-4. Chances are you get 1/2, especially with Colandrea. Then, after they punted, a penalty on special teams negated any sort of field position. It worked out, but I didn’t love that exchange. Also, don’t roll your quarterback into the boundary on 4th-and-2. Run QB power.

Game Balls: Anthony Colandrea (Offense); Dwayne McDoulge (Defense)

These were easy calls. Colandrea was the best player on the field. McDougle made the play that changed the game. Now, on to Indiana.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel.