Nebraska is 5-0, but Saturday’s 25-point win over Maryland came with a split personality. For one stretch, it looked like the old problems were creeping back in. Then the Huskers flipped the script, took control and turned a messy afternoon into another win.
That was the story of the game: one half that had plenty of people uneasy, and another that looked like Nebraska at its best. The Huskers trailed at times, piled up penalties and watched Maryland move the ball early. At one point, the Terps were driving with a 23-14 lead and threatening to make it a 16-point game.
Then Dwayne McDougle III changed everything with an interception he returned 81 yards for a touchdown. From there, Nebraska’s defense settled in.
A quick stop followed, and Anthony Colandrea led a drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Luke Lindenmeyer just before halftime. By the time the teams headed to the locker room, Nebraska had the lead.
Maryland’s first half was the productive one. The Terps rolled up 300 yards before halftime, then managed just 95 after the break. Rob Aurich’s defense adjusted, and Maryland never scored again.
There was also the penalty mess, and it was a big one. Nebraska was flagged 16 times for 132 yards, while Maryland had 12 penalties for 115 yards.
That meant 28 accepted penalties in a game that felt like it took forever to sort out. Some of the calls drew plenty of frustration, including a roughing-the-passer penalty that helped Nebraska.
Even so, the Huskers were still guilty of too many avoidable mistakes, and false starts do not disappear just because the officiating was a nuisance.
On offense, Kwazi Gilmer continued to stand out as a strong addition. Colandrea also gave Nebraska another element with his legs, though the way he took off and hurdled defenders is not exactly the kind of thing that puts a quarterback’s health at ease. The better option is still the slide.
Nebraska also found something it has been waiting to use more often: the tight end downfield. Luke Lindenmeyer’s touchdown catch before halftime was the latest reminder that he can matter as a real receiving threat. The Huskers have spent the last three seasons asking for more tight end involvement, and this was the kind of play that makes that case loudly.
The broader takeaway is simple enough. Nebraska handled adversity, beat a team it was supposed to beat and found a way to finish.
The first 30 minutes, along with the penalties, left plenty to worry about before Indiana arrives. But for now, the Huskers are 5-0, and that record is worth enjoying even if the performance was anything but clean.
In Other News...
Matt Rhules TV Appearance Has Nebraska Fans Arguing Over Nothing
Matt Rhules surprise cameo in the season finale of HBO Maxs Lanterns gave Nebraska fans something a little different to talk about during the offseason. The appearance was filmed likely well before the season got rolling, so it didnt interfere with his work getting the Cornhuskers ready, but it still landed with enough visibility to turn a routine TV credit into a fresh round of fan discussion.
The reaction online split quickly, with some Nebraska supporters wondering whether the timing was worth the distraction and others happy to see their coach pop up in a high-profile series. For a program where every bit of attention gets magnified, it was the kind of harmless side story that still manages to spark an argument, even if theres nothing much behind it. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Will Help Reveal What Nebraskas Hot Start Really Means
Nebraskas 5-0 start has bought the Huskers some breathing room, but it has not answered every question about what this team really is. The early record is clean, and the resilience shown in the recent win over Maryland offered another sign that the group can handle a little pressure, yet there is still a sense that the offense and defense have not both hit their stride at the same time.
The next stretch of Big Ten play should make the picture clearer, starting with Indiana. That matchup figures to tell a lot about whether Nebraskas unbeaten beginning is built on something sustainable or whether the first month has simply masked the kind of inconsistency that tends to get exposed once the conference schedule settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Is Building Real Momentum With A Major 2028 Tight End Target
Nebraskas push for 2028 tight end Max Jones is starting to look like a real early win for the Huskers on the recruiting trail. The Parkway West High School standout from Missouri recently visited Lincoln and came away with Nebraska squarely near the top of his list, a notable position this far out for a four-star prospect with plenty of time to sort through his options.
Jones still has multiple unofficial visits lined up at other schools during the 2026 season, and he already holds offers from several programs, so the race is only beginning to take shape. Even so, Nebraska has clearly made a strong impression early, which matters when a target at that level starts talking about a school as one of the places he wants to keep circling back to. [Read more 🡒]