Historic QB performance shows there's still reason for hope in Nebraska's defense

After one of the worst losses of the Matt Rhule era on Friday night, it's not surprising that Nebraska football fans are down on the direction of the program. However, those looking for a silver lining need look no further than the continued performance of Brendan Sorsby this season.

Sorsby came into the 2025 campaign at a crossroads. He's plenty talented, but didn't put up a big 2024. So far this year, he's put any doubts to rest massively.

On Saturday, Sorsby once again built on a spectacular season, completing 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns while not throwing an interception. He also ran for 13 yards and another score in Cincinnati's win over Oklahoma State. What makes those numbers even more impressive is that it marks the sixth straight game where he's thrown at least two touchdowns and hasn't thrown an interception.

Nebraska’s early-season dominance of Brendan Sorsby offers rare defensive bright spot

Those numbers put him into College Football history, as he's one of just five players to accomplish that feat. If he manages to do it for three more games, he'll have the longest such streak ever.

But wait, keen-eyed readers will say, Cincinnati is 6-1. Why isn't it seven straight games? That's where Nebraska comes in.

In Sorsby's first game of the season, he was thoroughly shut down through the air, throwing for just 69 yards and an interception. That pick, by Malcolm Hartzog to ice the win for the Huskers, was the last time this year that Sorsby threw an interception. He's now got 17 touchdowns.

This is also where the hope in the Nebraska defense comes into play. The Blackshirts have not played like the Blackshirts of late. They've allowed over 330 yards of total offense in three of the last four games. They've had problems getting off the field, especially on third down.

And now sitting at 5-2, some Cornhuskers fans wonder if they'll continue a far too regular swoon once they get to five wins.

The bright spot here, the silver lining to what has been a concerning last few weeks, is that defensive coordinator John Butler and his defense can rise to the task. If they can shut down one of the better quarterbacks in the country this season, they can shut down what's coming next.

Nebraska needs to get its mojo back after an ugly Friday win. But it's there for the taking.