Nebraska’s defense had enough good moments against Indiana to win the game on paper. It just couldn’t survive the handful of snaps that changed everything.
The Huskers gave up only 328 yards and 20 points in Saturday’s 20-17 loss, and the overall numbers look strong until you zoom in. Four plays accounted for 199 yards and 17 points, the kind of back-breaking sequence that wipes out a lot of solid work. Coordinator Rob Aurich, linebacker Owen Chambliss, and the rest of the Blackshirts know it, but the reset button has to come fast with another ranked opponent waiting next Saturday night.
Nineteen Nebraska defenders played in the loss, and Pro Football Focus’ grades tell the story of a unit that was mostly sturdy against Indiana’s run game but couldn’t consistently finish plays in the backfield.
That run defense was one of the clearest bright spots. Even without Riley Van Poppel, Nebraska held Indiana to 65 rushing yards. Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard, who had combined for more than 1,100 rushing yards in Indiana’s first five games, were limited to 41 yards on 17 carries.
Still, Nebraska’s front didn’t do enough to bother the quarterback. The Huskers entered the game leading the Big Ten in sacks, but they brought Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover down only twice.
UCLA transfer Anthony Jones did help with pressure, tying for the team lead with two quarterback hurries and adding two quarterback hits. One of the sacks went to Boston College transfer Owen Stoudmire, who logged a season-high 39 snaps.
Hoover also ran effectively, finishing with his most rushing yards since September 2025, when he was still at TCU.
At linebacker, Owen Chambliss kept piling up another strong outing. For the third straight week, the San Diego State transfer was Nebraska’s top defensive performer. He posted an 81.8 tackling grade, the best among Husker linebackers, and finished second on the team overall with a 78.0 grade.
Chambliss has now either tied for the team lead or finished second in tackles in all three of Nebraska’s conference games. He’s one of the most experienced players on the defense, and he’s played like it through the first half of the season. The Blackshirts have looked as sharp as they have, in large part, because he’s been on the field.
Vincent Shavers added a sack and three solo tackles, while Dexter Foster was the only other linebacker to see action. That trio of upperclassmen appears to be the group Aurich leans on most when the game tightens up, even with sophomore Dawson Merritt having already produced plenty this season.
In the secondary, Nebraska kept the rotation tight, and it might have been even tighter if not for an injury to senior defensive back Jamir Conn on the first play of the second half.
Andrew Marshall was on the field for every defensive snap, just like Chambliss. After allowing a 43-yard completion in the first quarter, he didn’t give up another catch in coverage. Marshall also broke up a pass and finished with a 70.3 coverage grade.
Victor Evans was tested six times, and the results weren’t pretty. Indiana completed four of those throws for 106 yards and a touchdown, while another target drew a defensive pass interference call. For Evans, it was the first time he really looked overmatched in a Nebraska uniform.
Caleb Benning finished with the team’s best marks in coverage, tackling, and overall grade, though he may have had a hand in the 75-yard touchdown pass from Hoover to Marsh. Benning played 28 snaps, which was a season high for the third-year Omaha native.
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