Nebraska scores 34 unanswered points to beat Maryland 48–23

Nebraska trailed Maryland by nine points late in the second quarter Saturday, then scored the game’s final 34 points to win 48–23 in Lincoln. Anthony Colandrea threw three touchdown passes, Dwayne McDougle III supplied an 81-yard interception return for a score, and the Huskers kept the Terrapins off the scoreboard throughout the second half.

Nebraska improved to 5–0 overall and 2–0 in the Big Ten. Maryland fell to 2–3 and 0–2 after an afternoon in which its early scoring pace gave way to repeated empty possessions.

The Terrapins built their lead with a combination of explosive passing and field goals. Malik Washington hit Chris Durr Jr. for a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Sean O’Haire made field goals from 26, 42 and 32 yards, helping Maryland lead 16–7 after one period.

Mekhi Nelson kept Nebraska close with touchdown runs of 19 and five yards. DeJuan Williams answered the second of those scores with a three-yard touchdown for Maryland, extending the visitors’ advantage to 23–14 with 8:54 remaining before halftime.

McDougle changed the game with 2:41 left in the second quarter, intercepting Washington and taking the ball 81 yards for a touchdown. Nebraska then put together another scoring possession, capped by Colandrea’s one-yard pass to Luke Lindenmeyer with five seconds left. A nine-point deficit had become a 28–23 halftime lead.

Corn Nation’s Andy Ketterson described that late reversal in his halftime report, noting that the Huskers had gone ahead despite Maryland holding the first-half advantage in total yards. Nebraska’s defense then made the narrow lead hold through a scoreless third quarter before the offense added separation.

Vincent Genatone scored on a one-yard run two seconds into the fourth quarter. Colandrea followed with touchdown throws of five and 30 yards to Kwazi Gilmer, taking the margin from five points to 25. The final touchdown came with 6:35 remaining; its extra point was unsuccessful.

Colandrea completed 26 of 39 passes for 238 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 108 yards on 10 carries. Gilmer caught 11 passes for 147 yards and the two fourth-quarter scores, giving Nebraska consistent production beyond its early rushing touchdowns.

The Huskers finished with 447 total yards, including 209 rushing, and 28 first downs. Maryland gained 395 yards, but converted only one of 14 third downs. Washington completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Durr had seven catches for 149 yards; Williams supplied 78 rushing yards.

Penalties interrupted both offenses: Nebraska was assessed 16 for 132 yards, while Maryland drew 12 for 115. The difference was Nebraska’s ability to turn the late first-half opportunity into a lead and keep building on it. The unbeaten Huskers next face Indiana on October 10.