Amie Just: Few silver linings to be found in Nebraska’s 34-3 loss to No. 3 Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Effectively, that was one thing. I’m simply not fairly positive what.

A clunker? I suppose. Boring? Completely. Uninspiring? Little doubt.

The ultimate rating from the Huge Home: No. 3 Michigan 34, Nebraska 3 — an inevitable end result that turned much more doubtless as every second ticked off the sport clock.

Couldn’t run the ball. Couldn’t go the ball. Couldn’t cease the run. Did an OK job in go protection. That stands to motive once you’re taking part in a nationwide championship contender that boasts the nation’s greatest run protection, a top-five run offense and a prime 10 go protection.

In a sport like this — when there isn’t a lot hope of successful from the soar — you simply root for silver linings: no boneheaded errors, no accidents.

Sadly for Nebraska, the latter didn’t maintain true for neither offensive coordinator Mark Whipple nor quarterback Chubba Purdy.

Purdy’s damage — later introduced as a high-ankle sprain — got here on NU’s most promising drive close to the top of the second quarter.

Michigan despatched 4 and their strongside edge rusher was respiratory down Purdy’s neck, prompting the redshirt freshman to scramble. Purdy darted downfield for 8 yards earlier than awkwardly sliding whereas colliding right into a defender on the 14-yard line.

Purdy gingerly walked off the sphere on his personal, however he didn’t return to the sport. As a substitute, he emerged from the locker room within the third quarter in avenue garments and a strolling boot with crutches.

Logan Smothers, who himself has been banged up for the final two weeks, got here in as aid. However Smothers couldn’t capitalize on the offensive momentum previous to Purdy’s damage and NU needed to accept a discipline objective. That was NU’s solely rating of the sport.

Whipple’s scare got here moments later.

Michigan’s A.J. Henning bolted down the sideline on the following kick return for the Wolverines and as he was tackled out of bounds, he fell down into Whipple. Whipple, 65, instantly collapsed on impression. He by no means misplaced consciousness, however gave the impression to be in writhing ache as he slowly peeled up off the turf and moved to the bench.

At halftime, Whipple was carted up the tunnel to the locker room. He transferred to a wheelchair to get into the locker room and had X-rays. The results of that imaging is unclear as of now, however he did end calling the sport from the sales space. Within the interim, Nebraska’s employees dealt with the playcalling collectively.

The place does Nebraska go from right here?

There’s two video games left. Nebraska has misplaced 4 straight and is 3-7 — formally out of bowl rivalry with the Michigan loss. They’re taking part in below an interim coach, and the way forward for this system is unsettled enterprise.

Their beginning quarterback, Casey Thompson, has been out for 2 weeks with nerve harm and with out him, they’ve scored only one landing. The backup, Purdy, has an unclear standing shifting ahead too.

Thompson says he desires to play. Joseph says he gained’t play Thompson “until he can play at a excessive degree.”

Certain, Thompson provides Nebraska the absolute best likelihood to win towards Wisconsin and Iowa. Actually, he’s not simply their greatest shot; he’s their solely shot.

However we’re in rubbish time of a misplaced season now. What’s the purpose?

“We gotta have some satisfaction,” Joseph mentioned. “We gotta simply proceed to come back to work tomorrow and attempt to get a sport plan to assist us achieve success and execute the sport plan. However we gotta maintain going. We’re not gonna give up.”

For Nebraska, these previous few weeks are about ending your dedication with heads held excessive. It’s much like a 5-year-old who desires to cease ballet a month earlier than the recital.

There’s no giving up — although it may not be fairly.