Nebraska’s Homecoming matchup with Maryland brings a quarterback battle that gives this game plenty of intrigue, even if the teams arrive in very different spots.
The Huskers are back at Memorial Stadium on Saturday after a 31-13 road win over Michigan State pushed them to 4-0. Maryland, meanwhile, comes to Lincoln trying to stop the slide after back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and UCLA.
At the center of Nebraska’s start is Anthony Colandrea, who has settled in quickly as the engine of Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Four games into his Nebraska run, the senior has completed 68 of 104 passes for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also adding 141 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
He wasn’t as sharp through the air in the Big Ten opener against Michigan State, finishing 15 of 27 for 212 yards and two touchdowns. But he still found ways to tilt the game. Colandrea led Nebraska with 66 rushing yards on 10 carries, another reminder that defenses have to account for more than just his arm.
That movement outside the pocket has become one of Nebraska’s most dangerous weapons. When the play breaks down, Colandrea can turn a busted snap into something far more damaging, and opponents have had to respect that from the opening weeks of the season.
The advanced numbers back up what the eye test has shown. PFF has Colandrea at a 92.6 overall offensive grade and a 91.2 passing grade through four games, both powered by the kind of steady production Nebraska has leaned on all season.
His totals tell the story cleanly: 12 touchdowns accounted for, plus a growing grip on the offense’s identity.
On the other side, Maryland sophomore Malik Washington brings size, talent and a stat line that has already swung sharply in both directions. Through four games, he has completed 101 of 154 passes for 1,034 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.
At 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, Washington fits the mold of a Big Ten quarterback. He showed his ceiling against Virginia Tech, throwing for 359 yards and three touchdowns in a loss.
Then came UCLA, and everything changed. Washington was limited to 142 passing yards as Maryland scored just three points, and the Bruins picked him off four times. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, a brutal afternoon that knocked his season grades down fast.
PFF gave Washington a 27.7 overall offensive grade and a 28.4 passing grade against UCLA, both easily his lowest marks of the year. Through four games, he sits at a 69.1 overall offensive grade and a 68.9 passing grade.
Now Washington gets Nebraska after a defense that just turned in one of its better outings of the season, setting up a Saturday test that will say plenty about where Maryland’s passing game stands.
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Tree Babalade Is Forcing A Nebraska Lineup Decision Up Front
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Holgorsen also pointed to Elijah Pritchett turning in his best game, and the next step may be figuring out how to fit Babalade, Pritchett and Gunnar into the rotation together. There is still some sorting to do, and the same goes for quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whose quick decision-making and mobility could give Nebraska another layer if the staff finds the right way to use him. [Read more 🡒]