Despite comeback efforts, early deficit sinks Nebraska in 43-37 loss to Purdue

However till it does, the Huskers are a lock for a dramatic second-half turnaround each time they hit the sphere.

For the third week in a row, Nebraska confronted an early deficit solely to storm again within the second half with an inconceivable comeback.

However this time, the Huskers have been unable to come back away with a win.

Nebraska got here roaring again from a 17-point deficit earlier than its valiant second-half comeback try fell quick in a 43-37 loss to Purdue on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Trailing by 14 factors, a quick-fire landing was simply what Nebraska (3-4, 2-2 Huge Ten) wanted popping out of halftime.

And it’s simply what Nebraska acquired.

Quarterback Casey Thompson missed an opportunity to attach with Trey Palmer for an extended completion, however he didn’t miss on his subsequent two throws. Thompson instantly responded with a 30-yard go to Travis Vokolek earlier than discovering Palmer for a 37-yard passing rating, making it a one-score sport as soon as once more.

Nebraska acquired a break when a Purdue (5-2, 3-1) field-goal try from 41 yards out sailed large proper, that means the Boilermakers couldn’t make it a two-possession sport once more.

Needing to capitalize on that Boilermaker miscue, Nebraska turned to its most dynamic playmaker, Palmer, who took a reverse 60 yards up the sideline for an on the spot crimson zone alternative.

Thompson had a golden alternative to tie the sport at 27-all, however his go supposed for a wide-open Alante Brown sailed out of the again of the top zone. As a substitute, Nebraska needed to accept a brief Timmy Bleekrode area purpose that minimize its deficit to 27-23.

That missed alternative instantly value Nebraska as Purdue drove down the sphere for a landing of its personal. A pair of lengthy Aidan O’Connell throws powered the Purdue drive, which ended with a 28-yard go to TJ Sheffield that included a pair of missed tackles from Nebraska.

Understanding that no different participant on the sphere may match Palmer’s breakaway pace, Nebraska instantly dialed up a play to go proper again to him. Thompson let his go fly, and it got here down safely in Palmer’s arms because the wideout rumbled into the top zone for a 72-yard rating.

As soon as once more, it was a one-score sport with Purdue main 34-30.

However, may Nebraska lastly break by?

To try this, it first wanted to maintain Purdue out of the top zone. Nebraska did simply that, because the Boilermakers tacked on a 37-yard area purpose with 10:00 left within the contest.

Nevertheless, a mistake of its personal doing sunk Nebraska’s comeback possibilities. Palmer hadn’t damaged away from the Purdue protection when Thompson despatched a throw his method, and Purdue’s Reese Taylor got here down with the interception.

Purdue then marched 62 yards down the sphere in simply over two minutes, with a 2-yard landing go from O’Connell to Charlie Jones partially sealing Purdue’s successful effort.

That’s as a result of Palmer nonetheless had a giant play or two left in him. Thompson once more launched a throw downfield supposed for his speedy goal, who hauled within the go and broke away for a 64-yard acquire. Grant scored a 1-yard dashing landing two performs later, as Nebraska’s landing drive took below a minute off the clock.

Trailing 43-37 with slightly below six minutes left, Nebraska nonetheless had an opportunity.

Nevertheless, O’Connell transformed a pivotal fourth-down attempt close to midfield and Purdue ran out the clock.

Nebraska’s second-half comeback was wanted because of a disastrous six-minute stretch late within the first half that got here after the Huskers tied the sport at 10-10.

Purdue’s Jones took benefit of soppy defensive protection by hauling in a fast slant and turning upfield for a 31-yard passing landing and 17-10 lead.

On the primary play of the following drive, Purdue stored its momentum going. A Thompson go supposed for Vokolek didn’t clear Purdue inside linebacker Clyde Washington, who snatched the ball out of the air for an interception.

The Nebraska protection restricted Purdue to a 37-yard field-goal try, which the Boilermakers transformed to increase their result in 20-10.

And when Nebraska tried to muster one other response, the Huskers acquired in their very own method once more. The Purdue go rush sacked Thompson on back-to-back downs, forcing Brian Buschini to punt from deep in his personal territory.

The punt arrange Purdue with prime area place, and the Boilermakers took benefit of it by handing the ball to working again Devin Mockobee on seven consecutive performs. Mockobee ultimately punched within the 1-yard dashing landing, finishing a 17-point Purdue explosion that took simply over 5 in-game minutes.