Nebraska had Oregon where it wanted it for three quarters, and still walked out of Autzen Stadium with nothing to show for it.
The Huskers led 14-6 heading into the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, only to watch the Ducks flip the game late and win 17-14 in Eugene, Oregon. For Nebraska, it was the second straight week the fourth quarter turned into a problem, and this time the collapse came after the Blackshirts had shut Oregon out in the first half for the first time in four seasons.
The endgame belonged to Oregon transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola, whose entry shifted the feel of the night. Nebraska had spent most of its prep time getting ready for Brock Thomas, and Thomas’ line reflected that: 9-for-20 for 54 yards and an interception to Dwayne McDougle III. Once Raiola took over, Oregon found its rhythm.
The Ducks scored 11 points in the final 15 minutes and finished with a 20-play, game-winning march. Sophomore running back Dierre Hill Jr. was a key piece of the drive with star wide receiver Evan Stewart out, and the last blow came with less than 30 seconds left. Senior tight end Jamari Johnson caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Raiola to cap a 5:03 drive, leaving Nebraska 28 seconds and a prayer.
Rob Aurich’s defense gave the Huskers plenty to work with for most of the night. Oregon was held to three field goals before the final frame, and Owen Chambliss, Caleb Benning and McDougle III combined for 40 of Nebraska’s 85 tackles.
But Nebraska’s offense never did enough to close the door. Jacory Barney Jr. had a brief spark with a 27-yard catch in the final seconds, but it was too little, too late.
He finished with two receptions. Oregon’s ability to keep getting off the field on fourth down also mattered; the Ducks went 3-for-3 in those situations even though they were just 3-for-16 on third down.
The Huskers also hurt themselves with decision-making late. Rhule used all three of Nebraska’s timeouts on Oregon’s final possession, which made the comeback path even steeper. And there were other moments Nebraska will replay: Colandrea’s second-quarter interception, and Archie Wilson’s down knee on a punt attempt that set Oregon up at the Nebraska 19-yard line.
For Colandrea, the night was a rough step back. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 164 yards and two total touchdowns, but he never looked as sharp or decisive as he had earlier this season.
He did score on a rushing touchdown, though the hit he took left him shaken up. Afterward, he owned his part in the loss.
“I have to play better for my guys; I have to stay on schedule with certain throws,” Colandrea said postgame. “Playing quarterback, it comes on you in the good and the bad; I got to play better for my guys.”
Rhule didn’t try to dress it up after the game.
“I think my job’s to talk about the guys on our team, care about the guys on our team,” Rhule said postgame. “It wouldn’t be respectful for the guys on our team to be talking about their guys. Anyone that’s played for me, I’m always going to root for.”
He also pointed back to Nebraska’s offense in blunt terms.
“I just think we had to be better on offense tonight,” Rhule said postgame. “Make no mistake, that’s a really good defensive front that showed up to play; we just weren’t able to win.”
Nebraska now heads into its bye week with two full weeks before its next game, a home date against Washington on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Memorial Stadium. Time and broadcast details are still TBD.
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Brock Thomas is expected to start over Dylan Raiola, while Dante Moore remains sidelined with a concussion, leaving the Ducks to sort through a moving target at the games most important position. Oregon coach Dan Lanning has already acknowledged that the offense is still under evaluation, which gives Nebraska at least a chance to catch a talented team while it is trying to figure out what it wants to be. [Read more 🡒]