Nebraska defense limits Maryland to zero second-half points, si.com reports
- Nebraska advanced to 5-0 for the first time since 2016 following a 25-point victory over Maryland, where the Huskers limited the Terrapins to just 95 yards and zero...
- Rob Aurich's defense clamped down after giving up 23 points in the first two quarters.
- Owen Chambliss anchored the linebacker group for the second week alongside Dexter Foster and Vincent Shavers, with Dawson Merritt and Derek Wacker filling spelling roles.
Nebraska advanced to 5-0 for the first time since 2016 following a 25-point victory over Maryland, where the Huskers limited the Terrapins to just 95 yards and zero points in the second half after allowing 300 yards before intermission, si.com reported.
How Did the Nebraska Defense Turn the Game Around After Halftime?
Rob Aurich’s defense clamped down after giving up 23 points in the first two quarters. The Huskers forced three turnovers in the contest, meeting a stated weekly goal for the unit. Kade Pietrzak recorded the first interception of his career by dropping into coverage, while Williams Nwaneri notched three quarterback hurries. Riley Van Poppel added two hurries, and Mason Goldman played 16 snaps, marking his heaviest workload since September 2024.
Who Led the Linebacker Rotation and Defensive Backs?
Owen Chambliss anchored the linebacker group for the second week alongside Dexter Foster and Vincent Shavers, with Dawson Merritt and Derek Wacker filling spelling roles. Chambliss paced the team with 16.0 tackles over the past two weeks across 112 combined snaps. Vincent Shavers collected the unit’s only sack, four tackles, and a forced fumble in his strongest outing of the junior season.
In the secondary, fifth-year senior Dwayne McDougle provided the game’s turning point. With Maryland leading 23-14 and threatening inside the Nebraska 25-yard line, McDougle intercepted a slant pass and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six shifted momentum before halftime, though the defensive backfield also struggled with missed tackles. Six of Nebraska’s nine missed tackles fell on defensive backs, including two each from McDougle and Donovan Jones, the latter of whom surrendered nine receptions for 75 yards.
When Do the Huskers Play Next?
Nebraska faces Indiana on Saturday afternoon.