For the second week in a row, the Nebraska football team played poorly for long stretches against a team it had a chance to bury. For the second straight game, the Huskers looked like they might not have enough fight in them to win. And then they did. And this time they did it in the final minutes, rather than rallying early and holding on.
The euphoria level is high for a whole host of reasons. Not the least of which is that for the second straight year, the Huskers are just one win away from going bowling. After nearly a decade of no postseason, just making bowl games a habit again would feel great.
However, the way the Big Ten and the college football world are shaking out right now, the Huskers are back in the conversation as a dark-horse playoff team. Having said all that, not everything went perfectly for Nebraska. There is plenty to fix, and there was once again one big low despite all the highs.
Emmett Johnson wasn't just a Nebraska football high; he was a season high
For one reason or another, while running back Emmett Johnson has looked like he was ready to break out, the game plan just didn't allow it, at least in the way he did on Saturday. Against Maryland, Emmett took over the game at times, including when he busted out a 50-yard run that allowed the Huskers to kick a field goal and get within 4.
Johnson finished the game with 21 carries for a career high 176 yards rushing. He also had 2 catches for 20 yards. And oddly enough, even as dominant as he was, he followed a 3-touchdown game last week with zero TDs today.
Special teams continues to be a massive high for Nebraska
It wasn't quite as impactful as it was against Michigan State, but the Huskers did find a way to make their special teams factor into the game positively once again. The arrival of Mike Ekeler continues to make things feel very different in that area.
Against Maryland, Kenneth Williams (who was a walk-on until after the game) returned one kick 85 yards to set up a Nebraska touchdown in the first half. Kicker Kyle Cunanan also continues to show he's a steady presence, going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts. Every point counted on Saturday.
The defensive line was the big low for Nebraska
One week after the Huskers' front had its best game of the year, it might have had its worst. The defense in general struggled against Maryland, allowing 379 yards of total offense. What was most obvious in allowing that kind of yardage was how the Terrapins looked like they could do whatever they wanted on offense, so often, mainly because there simply wasn't a push up front.
Nebraska's only sack of Maalik Washington was on a read option carry. Still, Kade Pietrzak did come through quickly and took the quarterback down. Beyond that, he really had plenty of time to throw when he wanted, and the Terps were also able to open holes on the ground. While the Huskers' defense bowed up when it mattered most, it needs to look better in the middle of the game.