Report card from Nebraska's late-night loss to Oregon

Nebraska football fell short again this past week, dropping a 17-14 after-dark clash in Oregon. Former Husker Dylan Raiola led an 11-point unanswered fourth-quarter drive to win it for his team, capped by a touchdown with under a minute left. 

But the final drive happened for several reasons, not just because the defense gave up in the end. Offensive issues and a few special-teams mistakes also contributed to the loss. Even though Oregon held the advantage in its roster, start time and venue, Nebraska’s inability to perform consistently in all three phases continues to keep this team from taking the next step. 

Here is the report card from Nebraska’s last-night loss to Oregon.

Quarterback: B

Anthony Colandrea continues to carry the team, leading Nebraska both in the air and on the ground. He threw for 164 yards and one touchdown on 18 completions and ran for 38 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Colandrea also coordinated two touchdown drives, one right before halftime as well. Colandrea's final drive almost proved massive, with Nebraska reaching the Oregon 40 before time ran out.

However, he didn't play a perfect game either. Colandrea threw an interception in the second quarter that almost led to an Oregon scoring drive, but a fumble stopped it. He also took a sack on a play where he bought himself enough time to get rid of the ball.

Colandrea's done a lot for this team during this rough two-game stretch. Now with the bye week, he can rest up and get ready for a more favorable series of games. However, he needs to be careful when trying to force a big play; otherwise, another interception or unnecessary sack will occur.

Running Backs: C+

After driving the offense in the first three games, Nebraska's running back room has almost disappeared since entering Big Ten play. Though other factors have contributed to the sudden halt in the run, this group arguably looked the most nonexistent against Oregon.

Isaiah Mozee, Mekhi Nelson and Jamal Rule combined for just 58 yards on 18 carries. Mozee managed to pick up 26 of those yards on a single run. Outside of that, going for 32 yards on 17 carries is problematic. Even in the receiving game, this group didn't produce much, finishing with 11 total yards on four catches.

If the other issues on offense don't get resolved, this group will have to start finding other ways to move the ball. Otherwise, the running back room is only going to remain in a state of purgatory.

Wide Receivers: B-

Kwazi Gilmer once again hauled in a miraculous touchdown for Nebraska, barely scraping the endzone right before halftime. He ended the game with a team-high 74 receiving yards on six catches. 

Gilmer wasn’t the only receiver to catch the ball. Luke Lindenmeyer finished with three catches for 25 yards. Nyziah Hunter snatched with three receptions for 17 yards. Jacory Barney Jr. earned two catches for 37 yards. 

But those were only a few highlights of the night when compared to the slew of mistakes. Gilmer dropped two passes and got called for holding. Hunter couldn’t get out of bounds on the final play, and the clock ran out. To top it all off, the group missed some blocks that ended outside plays and couldn’t always get open for passes.

Asking a group to play perfectly is a lot. But right now, with other position groups struggling, perfection, or even close to it, may become necessary for this offense to get going.

Offensive Line: C-

Another week, another subpar offensive line performance. Even with Oregon’s line, Nebraska’s pipeline never established authority. 

The Huskers’ running back room totaled 58 yards on 18 carries, and Colandrea finished as the top rusher for the third time in the last four games. The quarterback also took three more sacks, coughing up 33 yards in the process. A holding penalty negated a big run in the first quarter, and a false start during Nebraska's drive before halftime.

So far in Big Ten play, the pipeline's progression has almost gone in reverse, and that plays a major factor in Nebraska's offense. Though Indiana and Oregon managed to frustrate other offenses, the Huskers' front line needs to figure out how to at least open the run game back up. If the pipeline continues to leak against teams like Washington, Illinois and Rutgers, then Nebraska's offense is in for a rough back end of the season once again.

Defensive Line: B-

Though Nebraska’s pipeline never established, the defensive line once again kept a team’s offense in check for most of the game. However, the group ran out of steam again in the fourth. 

The Ducks tallied 92 rushing yards in the fourth, after totaling 37 in the first three quarters. The group also couldn’t disrupt the passing game in the fourth either, never getting to Raiola. Granted, many of Raiola’s throws were quick. But some plays required time, and the defensive front couldn’t make anything happen. 

However, while Oregon managed to score 11 points in the fourth, it had to bleed nearly 13 minutes off the clock to do so. That has pros and cons. The Blackshirts forced the Ducks to waste time, but they couldn’t get off the field either. 

The defense’s final two drives left a sour taste in an otherwise solid outing. Jahsear Whittington disrupted Oregon's blocking, recorded a sack and recovered a fumble. His recovery helped Nebraska survive the interception that gave Oregon the ball deep in Husker territory. Cam Lenhardt and Whittington also combined for three tackles for loss. 

With the bye week, the front line can regroup and build up its stamina. Depending on where the offense goes from here, the Blackshirts’ front needs to be able to not only close out a game but also be as disruptive in the fourth as they are in the first three quarters.

Linebackers: B-

Owen Chambliss totaled a game-high 15 tackles on the night, including two for a loss. Vincent Shavers Jr., meanwhile, earned nine tackles, two for a loss. Those are good signs from linebackers who helped Nebraska's defense frustrate Oregon's offense.

However, much like the defensive line, the second level couldn't do enough to get the defense off the field. They stopped big runs and kept receivers in front of them in the middle of the field. But the Ducks still churned out yards because Nebraska prevented big plays.

The group needs to take the next step if the offense remains where it is. If it can disrupt more plays and make things happen on the ground and in the air, then a final stop in the fourth is more plausible.

Defensive Backs: B-

After allowing over 260 passing yards on just 12 completions last week against Josh Hoover of Indiana, Nebraska’s secondary held Brock Thomas and Raiola to a combined 20-of-38 for 113 yards. Though Raiola threw 11-of-18, he only tallied 59 yards and never hit a home run shot. 

Oregon got only one pass completion over 20 yards, finding success primarily in the short game. On short passes, Nebraska played it too safe, letting the Ducks complete them, especially late. 

At the same time, though, it was a bad situation to be in. The Huskers' secondary just couldn't hold on long enough to win, despite doing a lot throughout the game.

Dwayne McDougle III got an interception, totaled 13 tackles and forced a pass breakup. Caleb Benning forced a fumble that quickly negated Colandrea’s interception. Even Victor Evans III broke up three passes. With a bye week to rest, the group needs to prepare for teams that will continue to challenge them deep.

Special Teams: C+

For the second straight week, a special teams mishap seemed to cost them the game. Archie Wilson unintentionally knelt down on a punt to end Nebraska’s opening drive of the second half. This led to Oregon kicking a field goal, which proved to be a difference maker. 

However, that debacle was only part of why Nebraska came up short for the second straight week. Wilson, after all, kicked a career-high nine punts for 390 yards, including a 60 and three that landed inside the 20. Outside of the kneeling, the special teams made no major mistakes.

But the third phase didn't provide any other game changers on the night, which, in a game that saw 16 punts and seven kickoffs, cannot continue. Barney finished with minus-nine punt-return yards. Hunter managed 39 yards on three combined kick returns, but only got outside the 20 on one return.

If Nebraska's offense can't get going, special teams can't afford any major mistakes. On top of that, the third phase may also need to start finding ways to set up the offense in prime scoring positions.