Nebraska collapses in fourth quarter, falls to No. 7 Indiana 20-17

Key points

• Nebraska led 17-6 with 12:01 remaining after a 39-yard run by QB Anthony Colandrea.
• Indiana scored two touchdowns in the final 4:48, including a 75-yard pass and a 44-yard pass to WR Nick Marsh.
• Nebraska dominated the first 53 minutes, outgaining Indiana 391-328 and rushing 128-65 yards.
• The loss drops Nebraska to 5-1, while Indiana remains 6-0 and faces Ohio State next.
• Nebraska’s defense gave up 199 yards on four explosive plays, including two late-game scores.

Background

Nebraska had not beaten a ranked opponent in 30 games, while Indiana had won 21 straight. The Huskers entered the game 5-0, seeking to end a decade-long drought against top-tier competition. Indiana’s QB Josh Hoover had shown inconsistency in earlier games but emerged as a clutch performer in this matchup.

How outlets are covering it

Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI emphasized the 'habitual heartbreak' of the loss, noting that Nebraska outplayed Indiana for 53 minutes but suffered two critical defensive breakdowns. The outlet highlighted that safety Caleb Benning was beaten on the 75-yard score and that coordinator Owen Chambliss admitted he should have called a timeout before the 44-yard score. The SI article also criticized the officiating, noting zero penalties called on Indiana for seven quarters. In contrast, the Indianapolis Star’s Gregg Doyel described Indiana’s performance as 'weird' and 'unimpressive' for the first 48 minutes, calling the comeback a display of 'greatness' that sets up a major game against Ohio State. The Star noted that Indiana looked 'daunted' and 'average' until the final 12 minutes. ESPN’s source was inaccessible due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted.

Why it matters

The loss ends Nebraska’s 30-game losing streak against ranked teams and keeps Indiana’s 21-game win streak alive. It also sets up a high-profile matchup between Indiana and Ohio State, while Nebraska must face No. 13 Oregon next. The game highlights Nebraska’s struggles to close games against elite opponents and Indiana’s ability to overcome early deficits.

What to watch

Nebraska travels to Eugene to face No. 13 Oregon, who lost 17-15 to UCLA. Indiana hosts Ohio State in what the Indianapolis Star calls the 'biggest game ever.' Nebraska’s next opportunity to beat a ranked team is against Oregon, while Indiana aims to extend its win streak against a top-10 opponent.