Each week, the Two-Minute Drill provides an in-depth breakdown on all the key matchups that will decide a winner in the Huskers’ game.
Here’s what Maryland and Nebraska bring to the showdown.
* * *
When Nebraska runs the ball
Nebraska coaches promoted a bullish tone this week related to the Huskers’ rush attack which, when you remove sack yardage — as they would in the NFL — means NU averages 148 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry.
Against Big Ten competition those figures are more anemic, and given NU doesn’t have a mobile quarterback, there’s only so many ways you can scheme up rush yards. Maryland allowed just 115 rushing yards to Washington, which has a mobile QB.
While the Huskers may be more committed to it than the Terrapins, don’t look for a boffo day on the ground from Emmett Johnson who, if he reaches 100 yards, will have accomplished something. Could this be a game where Jacory Barney gets a carry or two? Or Heinrich Haarberg?
EDGE: MARYLAND
When Nebraska throws the ball
Maryland’s defense both gets after the quarterback (19 sacks) with young rush ends Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis, and plays good coverage behind that with nine interceptions. That said, teams keep throwing the ball on the Terrapins. There’s a reason.
Sooner or later, they’ll give up a big play or three, as evidenced by the 11 pass plays of 20 or more yards allowed so far in 2025. Nebraska has allowed one. NU quarterback Dylan Raiola needs to stay poised and confident because Maryland’s defense, like Michigan and Michigan State, will eventually elicit chances.
Dane Key, Nyziah Hunter and Barney need to take their route running game on the road and Nebraska needs to protect Raiola just enough. It’ll be a hard day in College Park, for sure, but Raiola can win here.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
When Maryland runs the ball
“When” is a good operative word for the Terrapins’ run game. They only run the ball 28.6 times per game, including sacks, which ranks last in the Big Ten. The 3.26 yards per carry isn’t much to write home about, either.
Quarterback run has hurt the Huskers in three games this season, but freshman Malik Washington has been reluctant to use his legs, with just 11 carries all season.
Maryland would be wise to run the ball more, and Nebraska, with a strong rush defense performance against Michigan State under its belt, would be wise to ready for it.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
When Maryland throws the ball
For his age, Washington is advanced — about as good as Raiola was last year. He’s got nice touch on the ball and, at 6-foot-5, sees over defenses.
But he’ll have his hands full with Nebraska’s No. 1 pass defense, which denies all easy throws and has mixed in a pretty effective pass rush, led by Williams Nwaneri, to boot.
Still, receivers Shaleak Knotts and Octavian Smiith are seasoned Terps, while Oklahoma transfer Jalil Farooq is a volume pass catcher (25 grabs) that will keep a slot corner like Ceyair Wright busy.
Look for NU to stay in nickel or even dime for most of this game.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Special teams
Something to watch in this one: Maryland punter Bryce McFerson punts a lot (five times per game) and can outkick his coverage, too. That’s music to Barney’s ears; only Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen will keep Barney from being an All-Big Ten punt returner.
Maryland, like Nebraska, has blocked three kicks/punts on the year. Terp kicker Sean O’Haire has made 12 of 14 field goals this year and has range out to 50 yards. Neither side has a kickoff return game doing much so far in 2025.
Barney has become NU’s force multiplier here.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Intangibles
While both teams currently excel in turnover margin (Maryland is +7, Nebraska is +6), NU distinguishes itself a little bit in other key categories, committing fewer penalties per game, faring better in the third down conversion conversation (both on offense and defense) and having the older, more experienced quarterback in Raiola.
It’s a true road game for the Huskers, who are going out a full day early to make sure there are no travel snags, and also to prepare for next week, when they leave on Thursday for a Friday game at Minnesota.
But it’s not necessarily a true road crowd at SECU Stadium, which should have about 5,000 Husker fans, largely from the East Coast, in attendance.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Key matchup
Two pro-style passers liable to be under duress
There’s probably more than a few stories Raiola could tell Washington about what it’s like to go through a full true freshman season in the Big Ten. The defenses. The crowds. The grind.
Maybe that conversation happens in a minute after the game, after three hours of two defenses giving them heck. Maryland’s defensive coordinator is Ted Monachino, a longtime NFL coach whose time with the Chicago Bears overlapped with NU offensive line coach Donovan Raiola’s stint there. Will that bit of knowledge help?
On the flip side, will Maryland coach Mike Locksley and his OC, Pep Hamilton, craft a plan for Washington to dissect NU’s pass defense, schemed up by John Butler?
Ultimately, Raiola’s playing his 19th game. Washington is in his 6th game.
EDGE: NEBRASKA
Overall
Good teams protect their home field. Great teams also grind out wins on the road. And Saturday’s game could well be a grind.
Maryland, on film, looks about as big and athletic as Nebraska among its top-end guys. It’ll have a modest home field advantage. It’ll be angry after blowing a 20-0 second half lead to Washington. The Terrapins will be intent on finishing.
Nebraska will be intent on exerting its superior experience, quarterback and pass defense to make life hard for a young Terrapin quarterback who, a year from now, may reflect on how a tough experience against the Huskers shaped him. That’s what NU plans, anyway.
Great teams win grind-it-out games on the road. Nebraska has four of these coming. It wins the first.
PREDICTION: NEBRASKA 23, MARYLAND 14
sam.mckewon@owh.com, 402-540-4222, twitter.com/swmckewonOWH
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Sam McKewon
Sports Editor
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