The Cornhuskers improved to 5-0 Saturday with a 48-23 win over Maryland, giving Nebraska its first 5-0 start since 2016. But Nebraska's historic start was anything but guaranteed Saturday. For nearly the entire first half, Nebraska looked like a team in danger of suffering its first loss of the season.
Maryland controlled much of the opening two quarters and built a 23-14 lead late in the second quarter. The Terrapins piled up 300 yards of offense in the first half compared to just 187 for Nebraska. Maryland’s offense was rolling, while the Cornhuskers struggled to find consistency on either side of the ball.
Then Dwayne McDougle III changed the game. With Maryland threatening to add to its lead late in the second quarter, McDougle intercepted quarterback Malik Washington and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. In a matter of seconds, Nebraska went from facing a possible double-digit deficit to trailing by just two.
Suddenly, all the momentum belonged to Nebraska. Nebraska’s defense forced a three-and-out on Maryland's next possession before quarterback Anthony Colandrea led the Cornhuskers down the field. He capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer, giving Nebraska a 28-23 lead heading into halftime.
After allowing 23 points and 300 yards in the first half, Nebraska's defense shut Maryland out over the final two quarters. The Terrapins managed just 19 yards in the third quarter as the Blackshirts began taking control. Nebraska's offense quickly followed suit.
Running back Vincent Genatone extended Nebraska's lead with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, just the second of his career as a Husker. Colandrea then found Kwazi Gilmer for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Nebraska began to pull away. Colandrea also got it done with his legs, rushing for 108 yards, including a 51-yard run.
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