Nebraska was forced to start its backup quarterback when it took on Maryland on Saturday, Tommy Armstrong sidelined in his final home game with a hamstring injury.
Well, his absence didn't prove too detrimental to the Huskers' offense, which scored four touchdowns and racked up more than 400 yards in an easy 28-7 win over the Terps.
Maryland was also starting a new quarterback, Max Bortenschlager starting in place of Perry Hills. The Terps weren't as fortunate as the Huskers, totaling just over 200 yards and going the first three quarters without a touchdown, stretching their touchdown-less streak to 11 before finally hitting paydirt in the fourth with the game already decided.
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Nebraska reached the end zone on each of its first two drives, Armstrong substitute Ryke Fyfe doing well in just his second career start. Fyfe helped guide the Huskers downfield for 72- and 57-yard touchdown drives, each ending in Terrell Newby scoring carries. After missing a field goal on the third drive, Nebraska's final possession of the first half also ended in a touchdown, Fyfe hitting Jordan Westerkamp from four yards out to finish off a monstrous 16-play, 78-yard drive and put the Huskers up 21-0 at halftime.
Nebraska made it 28-0 with another long drive in the third quarter, going 69 yards in 14 plays and ending with a short Newby run, his third touchdown of the game.
Maryland finally got on the board in the fourth quarter, Bortenschlager finding D.J. Moore for what ended up being a 92-yard touchdown, the second-longest passing touchdown in program history.
But this was domination by Nebraska, in particular on the defensive side, where the Huskers allowed just six first downs and an eye-popping 11 rushing yards. Maryland's third-quarter yardage total was negative-11. The Huskers almost doubled up the Terps in time of possession, 39 minutes to 21 minutes.
Big Ten
Nebraska's offense was well balanced on the day, going for 220 passing yards and 181 rushing yards. Fyfe completed 23 of his 37 passing attempts for the 220 yards and a touchdown. Newby carried the ball 22 times for 98 yards and his three touchdowns.
The win sent Nebraska to 9-2 overall and 6-2 in the conference. Its Big Ten West Division title hopes remained alive, though any chance of it making the conference-title game rely on Wisconsin losing next weekend against Minnesota. The Huskers face off with Iowa in their regular-season finale next Friday.
Maryland dropped to 5-6 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten with the defeat. The Terps need a win in next weekend's regular-season finale against Rutgers to reach bowl eligibility.