Nebraska Tailgate Talk: Making turtle soup of the Maryland Terrapins

The Nebraska football team travels to College Park, Maryland, to take on the Terrapins Saturday at 2:30 CDT. The game will be televised on the B1G Network. Temperatures won't be boiling like it was in Lincoln last week. Gametime weather should be partly cloudy and in the mid-60s with a light breeze. Big Red will actually travel a day earlier to acclimate to the East Coast time change, since it's really the first true road game.

It was a MUST win game last week. Although it felt like a potpourri of pain and anxiety triggers as Nebraska headed toward an ugly loss with an atrocious offense that went only 17 yards on 25 plays at one point, Nebraska miraculously managed to put another "W" on the board. The win was in large part due to Special Teams play (shout out to Coach Mike Ekeler) and some late game fireworks, How about that blocked punt by Jamir Conn and the scoop and score by Carter Nelson? Most times the ball does NOT bounce our way like it did Saturday. Head Coach Rhule acknowledged the Special Teams contributions, calling out both coaches Ekeler and Brett Maher.

Nebraska football looking to make Turtle Soup out of Maryland

Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen even said it out loud about the offense Saturday, "we just sucked." I appreciate the honesty. Despite the clear frustration by the coaches and players, there was no finger pointing. That is progress. Again, without all the good field positions that special teams managed to provide for the Huskers, the victory would have been snatched from the jaws of defeat. I mean I certainly didn't have 5 Dylan Raiola sacks on my bingo card from a Michigan State team that's not used to getting to the QB. The sacks are even more perplexing when you count up the times Raiola dropped back (34) and he was able to deliver the ball in 3 or less seconds (29) without getting hit.

How about those Husker Blackshirts? Senior DeShon Singleton was B1G defensive Player of the Week. That hasn't happened to a Husker since Jo-Jo Domann was in Scarlet and Cream. Sophomore transfer William Nwaneri used his 6' 7" and 225 frame to abuse the Spartan QB all game long. Nwaneri now has 13 pressures and 2 sacks on the year. The Cornhusker offense ended the day 3-3 in the Red Zone. That was a welcome change! Dylan Raiola's efforts were aided by Jacory Barney being Barney-esque and Nyziah Hunter being fleet of foot even minus a shoe and sprinting down the sidelines at a reported 21mph to score late in the game.

What will this weekend bring? Maryland's QB Malik Washington is 6' 5" - 231 lbs, and has an ease in the pocket. He's not as quick to run on plays but there are a few designed runs for him. This freshman has been breaking passing records so far nationally this year despite the late game implosion to lose to Washington last week, 24-20. He's athletic and decisive for a freshman. If you factor in the 22 total drops this season by his wide receivers, he would be even higher statistically.

Speaking of statistics, there are 3 players for Maryland who have over 19 receptions. Tight End Dorian Fleming accumulated 9 receptions alone against Washington last week bringing him to 21 total for 171 yard/ 8.1 average this year. Senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq has a total of 25 catches for 233 yards/ 9.3 ave. Octavian Smith, Jr is just a freshman but has 19 catches for 324 yards/ 17.1 ave. Soooo yeah, the Terrapins are not fish out of water in the passing game.

Fortunately for the Huskers, the run game for Maryland is not progressing swimmingly. They struggle with their run game and are inconsistent. Terrapin Running Back DeJuan Williams has 59 rushes for 209 yards this year. Bad news for Big Red, Maryland's defense has not allowed a first drive score yet this year. Only 4 teams in the B1G are in that category: Oregon, Minnesota, Maryland, and Nebraska. Maryland also is stingy on allowing first half points. Only 10 points allowed so far this year in the first half. That's some slow and steady turtle numbers. I would love to see the Huskers start 14-0 by end of the half.

This week Husker QB Dylan Raiola will need to make good decisions (quick ones) and target his core of receivers accurately as the Terrapins boast 9 interceptions on the year. Dylan will also need good hand offs to Emmett Johnson and the "RB2 still to be named later." Maryland is 13th in the B1G on rush defense so look for a heavy dose of EJ on the East Coast. Special teams will also factor into the game. I'm looking for Jacory Barney to finally get his official punt return to the house (although with only 3 sides to their stadium is it a house?).

Being able to watch the game from home I'm homegating it with a Maryland crab dip recipe. As much as I would like to make turtle soup in honor of the opponent, I'm not a fan of it. And no one wants to eat soup when it's 83 degrees in Nebraska. So dip it is! Mix 4 oz. cream cheese well with 1/4 cup of sour cream. Add in 1.5 TBS of Cajun spice, 1.5 tsp of lemon juice, 2 tsp of hot sauce, 1 tsp of garlic powder, and 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce. (don't be impressed, I spell checked that) Add in either 8 oz. fresh crab or the krabmeat with a "k." Top with cut up scallions and serve cold with pita chips (because no one wants to have to send in a rescue corn chip after the first one breaks). If you want to heat it up, stir in 4 oz. of cheddar cheese and then top it wih 4 oz. and bake at 350 until it bubbles.

Don't think Husker Wide Receiver Dane Key is in the doghouse just because he didn't catch the ball last week. He just didn't have the hot hand. Coach Holgorsen said (Key) he blocked his tail off and the "ball will find him." It's so wonderful to have receiver (and tight end) choices. This Husker win will require good game management and patience. Maryland is good y'all. It's not going to be a walk in the College Park. Huskers are up to the task and focused. I wouldn't be surprised to see another offensive surprise if it gets tight. Send me your photos on the X @Kelian_NE and I'll do my best to share them here. Get that group of friends together and cheer them on to another W. As always, GO BIG RED!