The Nebraska Cornhuskers found a new way to lose on Saturday, and it hurt. Facing No. 7 Indiana at Memorial Stadium, the Huskers squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter cushion and fell 20-17, their first defeat of the season. But the sting goes far deeper than one loss. With the setback, Nebraska has now dropped 31 consecutive games against AP-ranked opponents—a mind-numbing streak that dates back years. Head coach Matt Rhule is now 0-10 in such matchups, a statistic that looms over the program like a dark cloud.
For three quarters, it looked like the narrative might finally flip. Nebraska opened the game with a methodical 23-play first quarter, chewing clock and scoring on two long drives to grab a 10-3 lead. The defense held Indiana scoreless in the second quarter, and the Huskers took that same advantage into halftime. Even after an early third-quarter interception by quarterback Anthony Colandrea, the Hoosiers couldn't capitalize, and Nebraska carried a 10-6 edge into the final frame.
Then came the collapse. After forcing an Indiana four-and-out to start the fourth, Nebraska marched 71 yards in just five plays to push its lead to 17-6. Victory seemed assured. But the Hoosiers responded with a 75-yard touchdown strike to claw within a score. Nebraska went three-and-out, and Indiana needed only five plays to cover 80 yards, capped by a 44-yard touchdown grab by Nick Marsh. Suddenly, the Hoosiers led 20-17 with 7:13 remaining.
Nebraska still had chances. The offense moved 19 yards on five plays before facing a critical fourth-and-9 near midfield with under five minutes left. In a decision that will be dissected for days, Rhule opted to go for it. Colandrea's pass fell incomplete, handing Indiana prime field position. But the Huskers' defense held, forcing a three-and-out. Nebraska got one final gasp, driving 34 yards on nine plays to its own 45-yard line. On fourth down, Colandrea was sacked with 1:20 to play, turning the ball over on downs and sealing the defeat.
Social media erupted immediately, with fans and analysts alike pointing fingers at the coaching staff. "Coaching choked that one away," one user posted on X. Another wrote, "The best description of Nebraska's program at this point is 'horseshoes and hand grenades.'" A third added, "Matt Rhule hasn't beat a ranked opponent since he was at Temple." The sentiment was clear: this was a golden opportunity wasted, and the frustration is boiling over. The fourth-down gamble in particular drew heavy criticism, echoing the kind of late-game decision-making that has haunted Nebraska before.
Rhule's record against ranked teams isn't just a Nebraska problem—it's a career-long trend. He went 0-6 in such games at Baylor and 0-4 at Temple, per ESPN. The Huskers' last win over a ranked opponent came in 2016 against Oregon. Since then, it's been 31 straight losses, a stretch that includes multiple heartbreaks and blowouts. The program's proud history makes the drought even more painful, and the pressure on Rhule is mounting. Some are already wondering if Nebraska can finally end the drought anytime soon.
There's little time to dwell on the what-ifs. Nebraska hits the road next week to face Oregon, where they'll likely encounter a familiar face: former Husker quarterback Dylan Raiola, who transferred to the Ducks. Raiola's departure was a bitter pill for Nebraska fans, and now he could deliver another dose of pain. The matchup adds another layer of intrigue to an already brutal stretch for the Huskers.
For now, Lincoln is left to grapple with another agonizing loss and a streak that defies belief. The Huskers showed flashes of promise, but until they can close out games against elite competition, the questions will keep piling up. Rhule's job isn't in immediate jeopardy, but the noise is getting louder. Nebraska's quest to reclaim relevance continues, and the clock is ticking.
