Nebraska’s offense left some fans uneasy after the Maryland game, but a comment from an Ohio State lineman is making that performance look a lot less concerning.
Luke Montgomery met with reporters on Monday while previewing Ohio State’s matchup with the Terrapins, and he had a strong assessment of Maryland’s defensive front.
“Looks can be deceiving with their record. I think they're a really, really good team, especially just watching the film with their defensive line.
Like, I do think they're the best D-line we've played this year, interiorly and D-end-wise overall, like, just as a unit. They got guys everywhere, and they're really good.”
That’s not small praise. Ohio State has already lined up against No.
1 Texas this season, losing 24-23 in a game most people view as a battle with one of the nation’s top defenses. The Buckeyes also faced Iowa last week and beat the Hawkeyes 31-14, and Iowa’s front is usually as sturdy as they come.
Even so, Montgomery said Maryland has been the best line Ohio State has seen.
That perspective matters because Nebraska did have trouble keeping Maryland out of the backfield at times, more than it had in earlier games. The Huskers didn’t run into that same kind of disruption against Michigan State, another defense that can make life difficult. Maryland clearly gave them more problems early, and that’s part of why quarterback Anthony Colandrea looked rattled at times.
By the end of the game, Nebraska’s depth and overall edge showed up, and the Huskers pulled away. Still, plenty of observers noticed how long it took Nebraska to find a rhythm on offense in the first half.
Dana Holgorsen said Tuesday that some of that had to do with Colandrea needing to calm down and relax between snaps. But Montgomery’s comments suggest there may be another explanation: Nebraska may have simply run into one of the best defensive fronts it will see all year.
That makes the final score even more interesting. If the Huskers could score 48 points against what Ohio State’s offensive line views as the best defensive line it has faced, that’s a pretty encouraging sign with Indiana coming to town Saturday.
The Hoosiers have drawn attention because of last year’s national championship run, but their defense has been excellent this season too. Curt Cignetti’s team is first in the Big Ten in yards per game allowed at 237.8, points per game allowed at 10.8, and rushing yards allowed per game at 64.4.
There are caveats. Indiana’s non-conference slate was one of the weakest around, with North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky on the schedule. And the one team that really challenged the Hoosiers, Northwestern, moved the ball enough to make things uncomfortable before Indiana escaped 29-23.
Indiana did shut down Northwestern’s run game, holding the Wildcats to 32 yards on 27 carries. But Aidan Chiles still threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns.
That leaves Nebraska with a clear path if it can protect Colandrea and keep him settled. If he can, and if he can “just breathe” as his coach said Tuesday, the Huskers may have a chance to work on Indiana’s secondary. In that light, the Maryland game may have been less of a warning sign and more of a useful test.
In Other News...
Indiana Defense Faces A Real Test Against Nebraska's Passing Attack
Nebraskas passing game is drawing attention at just the right time, with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen pointing to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmers recent surge and the chemistry he has built with quarterback Anthony Colandrea. Ahead of a difficult matchup with Indiana, Holgorsen also discussed Colandreas style of play and the return of running back Jamal Rule, underscoring how much of Nebraskas offensive rhythm still depends on preparation and timing in practice.
Indianas defense looms as a real test for a Nebraska attack that will need to carry over that connection from the practice field to game day. With Gilmer emerging and Rule back in the mix, the Cornhuskers have reasons to believe their offense can answer the challenge, but the matchup is set up to reveal how much of that progress can hold up against one of the tougher defensive groups on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Heads Into A Huge Road Test Nebraska Desperately Needs
Nebraska gets one of the defining games of its season when No. 7 Indiana comes to town for a Big Ten matchup that carries more weight than the usual early-October drama. For the Cornhuskers, it is also a long-awaited opportunity, their first chance since 2016 to beat an AP Top 25 opponent, and the matchup brings together a ranked Hoosiers team that has earned plenty of respect with a Nebraska program still trying to validate its progress.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said he was fired up about the trip to Lincoln and singled out Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea for the stress he can create as a dual-threat playmaker. Matt Rhule, meanwhile, has already framed Colandreas job in the offense against the backdrop of some of Nebraskas past greats, while also acknowledging just how demanding this test will be against an Indiana team that can beat you on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Indiana Test Just Became A Whole Lot Bigger
Nebraskas win over Maryland did more than keep the Huskers moving in the right direction. It also pushed them up in six of seven major polls, a sign that the national view of this team is starting to catch up with what has been happening on the field. The Huskers are still outside the Top 25, but they have now received votes for three straight weeks, with their highest placement coming at 13th in ESPNs Football Power Index and their lowest at 33rd in The Athletic.
Indiana now looms as the next major test, and the stakes around that matchup have quietly grown. Facing a top-ranked Big Ten team gives Nebraska another chance to strengthen its case with pollsters and analysts alike, but it also means the margin for error gets even slimmer. A strong showing could keep this rise going, while any stumble would leave the Huskers trying to prove their progress was more than just a brief surge. [Read more 🡒]