Two undefeated teams battled it out, with star QBs Altmyer (UI) and Raiola (NU) throwing seven touchdown passes on the night.
Entering the game in the AP Top 25 for the first time in years, Nebraska was fueled by the milestone of their 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. That home-field advantage and the sea of red-clad fans should have given the Huskers the needed boost to pull out the victory. But despite flashes of good play, the game felt like a rerun of recent heartbreaks for Nebraska fans, who watched their team let another game slip away in the final moments.
ESPN reported that the Huskers have lost 25 consecutive games to the Top 25 teams over the past eight seasons and are 8-31 in one-possession games since 2018. This time, critical mistakes—a missed field goal, what should have been a TD pass intercepted in the end zone, and a wide-open receiver missed for a sure score—kept the Huskers from being on the winning side of the ledger … again.
Even with the loss, Nebraska fans are among the most resilient in college football. Having endured multiple coaching changes and periods of mediocrity since their switch from the Big XII to Big Ten, the Husker faithful continue to pack Memorial Stadium, hoping for a return to national relevance.
Matt Rhule, known for his ability to rebuild programs like Baylor and Temple, has Huskers fans believing he can do the same in Lincoln. That said, as the team’s struggles continue, some fans are growing pessimistic. With the magic number of six wins needed to reach a bowl game—something Nebraska hasn’t done since 2016—every missed opportunity feels magnified.
Still, there is reason for optimism. If Nebraska can clean up their mistakes and learn from these tough moments, they have the potential to finish the season strong. The fan base’s passion remains unwavering, and with resilience on and off the field, the Cornhuskers can use this setback as fuel to drive them forward in the weeks ahead.
Next up for NU are the Purdue Boilermakers (1-2), fresh off a road loss at Oregon State. NBC’s Peacock will televise the noon (Eastern time) kickoff from West Lafayette.
