Black Friday was, in fact, Black Friday considering just how bad things went for the Nebraska Cornhuskers program in a number of different sports.
When Friday began, it looked like might be setting up for one heck of a fun day. First up was the Nebraska football team and the chance to beat the Iowa Hawkeyes for the second straight year.
The added bonus was that if the Huskers had won, they’d be going bowling for the first time since 2016. And for a while, it looked like they might do exactly that. They had the ball in the game’s final seconds. All they had to do was not turn it over and they’d at least go to overtime.
So of course, the Cornhuskers did turn it over. Chubba Purdy threw an interception that Iowa returned to the Nebraska football team’s side of the 50. The the Hawkeyes busted a 22-yard run and then they kicked the winning field goal.
Gut punch number one on the day.
Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball gets routed
Not long after the Nebraska football game ended, it was time for the Huskers volleyball team to tip off against Wisconsin. Having already beaten the Badgers once this season and clinching the Big Ten title, this match was more about bragging rights and NCAA tournament seedings than anything else.
Unfortunately, John Cook’s squad lost two hard-fought sets, 25-22 and 28-26. There was still hope, considering the Nebraska Cornhuskers were down 2 sets to none to Penn State. But then NU lost the third set to the Badgers 25-16.
Gut punch number two.
Nebraska soccer loses in OT
The final disappointment of the day. The third gut punch in what was a tough, tough Friday was the Huskers’ soccer team in their Elite Eight match against Tennessee.
NU was in trouble early but managed to tie the game, 1-1 late in regulation. It looked like the cinderella story was going to roll on. Unfortunately, this time around, the Nebraska Cornhuskers lost in two OTs.
Two seasons over, one season where the team is no longer undefeated. It was a bad day for the program. But there will be better days ahead.