(College Park, MD) — Nebraska led at the half, lost the lead in the third quarter and then came back to beat Maryland on Saturday 34-31.
Dylan Raiola threw a 3 yard TD pass to Dane Key with just over a minute remaining for the game winning score. Raiola had thrown three interceptions earlier in the game — one was a pick 6 and all accounted for Maryland points.
Raiola had thrown a 64 yard TD pass to Nyziah Hunter for the first score of the game and the Huskers followed that with a field goal early in the 2nd quarter to lead 10-0. The Terps answered with an 8 play drive capped by a 28 yard TD run by Nolan Ray to make it 10-7.
Raiola’s first interception came next and Maryland turned it into a 21 yard touchdown pass from Malik Washington to Leon Haughton. Nebraska did answer quickly when Kenneth Williams returned the kickoff 80 yards to the MD 10 and Raiola threw a 7 yard TD pass to Luke Lindenmeyer and the Huskers led 17-14.
After a Maryland 3 and out, the Huskers again scored quickly in just three plays as Raiola connected with Hunter again on a 12 yard TD pass to make it 24-14.
The Terps had another 3 and out but interception number two by Raiola led to a Maryland field goal and Nebraska still led 24-17 at the half.
Maryland took the opening drive of the 2nd half down the field — Washington converted a 3rd and 9 with a 22 yard pass to Shaleak Knotts and the freshman QB converted a 3rd and 4 with an 11 yard pass to Dorian Fleming. DuJuan Williams ended the drive with a 1 yard TD run to tie the game at 24-24.
Interception #3 came next and this time Dontay Joyner returned it 67 yards to the house to give Maryland a 31-24 lead.
Nebraska added a field goal with about 6 minutes left to cut the lead to 31-27 but the Huskers D held the Terps and forced the punt. Nebraska got the ball back with 3:42 left and Raiola immediately got a 23 yard pass to Lindenmeyer. After a short run, Raiola hit Hunter for a gain of 33. After an Emmett Johnson run, Raiola found Heinrich Haarberg for 13 yards down to the 3. After an incompletion, Raiola found Key for the game winning score.
Nebraska is now 5-1, 2-1 while Maryland falls to 4-2, 1-2.
Nebraska Stats
Dylan Raiola 20-29 passing, 260 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
Emmett Johnson 21 carries, 176 yards
Nyziah Hunter 5 catches, 125 yards, 2 TD
Javin Wright 12 tackles, 9 solo
Maryland Stats
Malik Washington 27-37 passing, 249 yards 1 TD
Nolan Ray 11 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
Shaleak Knotts 5 catches, 62 yards
