MADISON — For the third week in a row, the Huskers did not safe bowl eligibility with every loss extra devastating than the final.

This time round, Nebraska had an opportunity to beat Wisconsin for the primary time since 2012 and earn a trophy it had by no means held whereas doing it. However, even with a number of the greatest offense all season, it proved not sufficient in an time beyond regulation defeat.

The Huskers fell to the Badgers 24-17 after being outgained in whole yards —183 to 94 — within the second half. Nebraska rolled with sophomore quarterback Chubba Purdy beneath heart, which resulted in touchdowns on his first two possessions. The offense couldn’t preserve the momentum, really fizzling out to close nonexistence till the ultimate drive of the fourth quarter.

“The first two drives were awesome,” Purdy stated postgame. “But I mean, we got to capitalize on those and just keep doing them the whole game.”

The opening drive of the sport noticed the Huskers solely throw the ball as soon as in comparison with 5 runs. On a 3rd and two, Purdy took a scramble 55 yards to the home, giving Nebraska an early 7-0 lead.

After a Blackshirt cease, the Huskers continued to pound the rock earlier than a trick play blew up of their face. While that the truth examine for Nebraska, as a substitute Purdy would hit freshman broad receiver Jaylen Lloyd on the following play, who turned on the jets for a 58-yard landing. Just like that, the Huskers have been up two scores.

The Nebraska protection got here out stronger than ever the next drive with senior linebacker Luke Reimer attending to senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai for a sack. Junior defensive lineman Ty Robinson continued his sturdy November, batting down a 3rd down move to drive one other Badger punt.

The Huskers have been as soon as once more shifting the ball downfield, however Wisconsin lastly acquired the cease it wanted as redshirt freshman operating again Emmett Johnson was tackled for a loss on fourth down. This turned the tide in the direction of the Badgers’ aspect as they capitalized by happening a nine-play, 66-yard drive ending with Mordecai discovering sophomore operating again Jackson Acker wide-open for six.

Nebraska adopted the rating with a four-play drive ending with junior punter Brian Buschini setting Wisconsin up with nice discipline place on account of a 19-yard punt. Two fast performs put the Blackshirts on their heels, however they stood their floor and compelled a 35-yard discipline purpose.

Purdy and the Huskers had an opportunity on the two-minute drill and practically ran it to perfection even with a number of penalties setting the offense again. Purdy picked aside the Wisconsin secondary, leaving one second left for freshman kicker Tristan Alvano to aim a 42-yard discipline purpose. However, his kick sailed broad proper as Nebraska went into the locker room up 14-10. The offense performed its greatest half of the season however nonetheless managed to depart factors on the board.

The Badgers had all of the momentum popping out of halftime. After each groups traded a punt, they went on a surgical 10-play, 79-yard landing drive with junior operating again Braelon Allen punching it in from two yards out. The Blackshirts appeared susceptible as Mordecai beat them on the bottom and thru the air.

“The defense prides itself on tackling and… a lot of guys had opportunities to make those plays,” head coach Matt Rhule stated postgame. “When we talk about momentum, we talk about the offense and those things, but to me defense, you know, we could use a sack fumble.” 

The Huskers continued to battle in all property of the sport as they might go three and out the following possession. Buschini had one other gaffe, kicking a line drive to sophomore broad receiver Vinny Anthony II who returned it 25 yards.

With their backs towards the wall, the Blackshirts got here collectively to drive a fourth down cease as Mordecai threw an incomplete move. The Nebraska offense confirmed some promise with Purdy discovering senior broad receiver Billy Kemp IV for 16 yards and Johnson changing a fourth down. But as soon as the fourth quarter began with Wisconsin followers riled up from Jump Around, sophomore offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka moved early, creating a 3rd and lengthy. Purdy couldn’t make something occur and the Huskers have been pressured to punt.  

The Badgers appeared to place the nail within the coffin with the trio of Mordecai, Allen and sophomore broad receiver Will Pauling every making performs towards the protection. They moved all the way in which to the Nebraska 32-yard line, but it surely was the Blackshirts as soon as once more standing tall, stuffing Allen on a fourth and one.

Even with the huge cease, the Husker offense did not make an affect, going three and out as soon as once more. A strong Wisconsin drive ultimately stalled out with a punt leaving Purdy and firm 3:37 to tie or win the sport.

The drive began with a defensive holding on the Badgers whereas the run sport began to get scorching once more with Johnson and Purdy selecting up massive beneficial properties on the bottom. Nebraska made all of it the way in which to the 12-yard line earlier than Alvano drilled a 30-yard discipline purpose to tie the sport at 17-all with 4 seconds remaining. A Wisconsin kickoff return left no time left, sending the Huskers to time beyond regulation for the primary time this season.

The Badgers acquired the ball first with Mordecai arising massive on a number of third and lengthy performs — one along with his arm and the opposite along with his legs. However, Wisconsin nonetheless wanted a yard with Allen selecting it up on fourth down. The very subsequent play Allen pushed his manner into the endzone, giving the Badgers the 24-17 lead.

Nebraska couldn’t muster something on offense when it mattered most, going backwards earlier than Purdy threw an interception — the Huskers’ solely turnover on the night time — on fourth all the way down to clinch the Wisconsin win. The loss added to a prolonged streak of time beyond regulation woes as Nebraska has now misplaced its final seven time beyond regulation video games with the final time it even scored going again to 2014.

“These guys are pretty crushed right now,” Rhule stated postgame. “But that’s okay. It shows that they care and it shows that they put a lot into it.”

Purdy performed effectively, going 15-of-23 for 169 yards and a landing whereas additionally main the Huskers with 105 yards and a rating on the bottom. While the offense was as soon as once more inconsistent, it appears to be like like they’ve their man going right into a pivotal matchup subsequent week.

Nebraska now finds its bowl possibilities on life help because it should beat No. 16 Iowa on Black Friday to earn the additional sport. With the three-game dropping skid spoiling what appeared like an unimaginable first 12 months beneath Rhule, a whole sport by all three items might salvage that.

“Sometimes in life we give up on our dreams, but the dream never gives up on us,” Rhule stated postgame. “I’d love nothing more than to go out there with them on senior day and go battle a great Iowa team… and try to go get a sixth win and go to a bowl game and extend this for these guys.”

sports@dailynebraskan.com