Kenny Larabee, NRG Media
Horror movies seem to follow similar outlines. But no slasher picture that Hollywood has turned out could invoke the anguish that Nebraska football has, and the third movie of the trilogy was just as frightening as the first two, and maybe worse, even though the plot was as predictable as your run-of-the-mill horror flick.
In front of a juiced, Blackout crowd for Memorial Stadium’s 416th consecutive sellout on Halloween, the Cornhuskers squandered a lights-out performance from the Blackshirts defense to allow Washington to come back to defeat NU, 17-10. It’s the third straight game the Huskers allowed the opponent to score twice in the fourth quarter to come back and win.
The Nebraska (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) defense had played remarkably well through three quarters, allowing just 146 total offense yards and just one rushing yard as the Huskers held a 7-3 lead going into the game’s final 15 minutes. Unlike the prior two losses, the Nebraska offense showed promise. The Huskers picked up two third downs, advancing from their 38 to the Huskies (5-3, 2-3) 41. After a penalty erased most of a big Nebraska gain on a pass from Anthony Colandrea to Kwazi Gilmer, Colandrea found Jacory Barney, Jr., for a 31-yard gain to setup 1st and goal at the 5. But then the offense self-destructed. The Huskers committed a delay of game penalty, setting up 1st and goal at 10. A Colandrea pass inside the 5 was dropped by Barney. A second down pass to Barney was broken up. On 3rd and goal from the 10, Colandrea was sacked, losing eight yards. Still, a 36-yard field goal is generally within range for a college kicker, right? Well, Kyle Cunanan missed, and the door opened for another gut-wrenching Husker finish.
In shades of the loss of Oregon, the Huskies brought Demond Williams, Jr., the starter coming into the season, off the bench. Nebraska forced a punt, but went three-and-out on their drive. Washington took over on its 19 and immediately committed a false start penalty. But Williams scrambled for a first down on 3rd and 15. On 3rd and 4 from the UW 37, Williams hit Lawson for a 22-yard gain, moving to the NU 37. Nebraska sacked Williams on two of the next three plays, setting up 4th and 18 from the NU 49. Williams heaved the ball down the left sideline, with Chris Lawson making a diving catch barely staying in to gain 24 yards and keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Williams fired a pass to the left flat, finding Lawson again, and Lawson evaded the Blackshirts 24 yards for a touchdown to give Washington its first lead of the night.
On the ensuing drive, Colandrea threw his third interception of the game, which Alex McLaughlin returned 48 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. Nebraska drove quickly down the field on the ensuing drive and John Hohl booted a 42-yard field goal with 31 seconds to go, and then the Huskies recovered the onside kick to clinch the game.
The game began with Colandrea throwing two interceptions to end Nebraska’s first two drives, but Washington ran just seven plays, having to punt on both drives. On their third possession, Nebraska marched 95 yards on 10 plays, with Colandrea hitting Carter Nelson for a 24-yard touchdown to get NU on the board. The Huskies kicked a field goal late in the second quarter to get on the board. Neither team scored in the third, setting the stage for the fourth quarter.
Colandrea, who earlier this week announced he had re-signed for the 2027 season with Nebraska, had his worst game as a Husker, throwing three interceptions while completing 24-of-44 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown. Jamal Rule returned from an ankle injury to lead NU in rushing with 13 carries for 72 yards. Barney was the Huskers’ leading receiver, making six catches for 65 yards. Owen Chambliss was the leading Blackshirt tackler, with seven stops and 0.5 a tackle for loss. Williams ended the game 7-for-13 for 99 yards and a touchdown. He replaced Elijah Brown, who in three quarters was 19-for-30 for 136 yards. Lawson had 12 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. Zaydrius Rainey-Sale led UW with 12 tackles.
Nebraska now prepares to head to Illinois Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m, with pregame coverage beginning at 3 p.m. on KLIN and Froggy 98.