Lincoln - Nebraska erupted for 34 unaswered points to close the game on its way to a 48-23 win over Maryland on Homecoming at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Huskers, who improved to 5-0 with their second Big Ten victory, put up 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing for the fourth consecutive home game, finishing the day with 447 total yards. The Blackshirts surrendered 395 total yards to a up-tempo Terrapin offense, but limited Maryland to just 95 total yards after halftime.
Anthony Colandrea and Kwazi Gilmer fueled the Nebraska offense with big performances. Colandrea completed 26-of-39 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, while adding the first 100-yard rushing game of his career with 10 carries for 108 yards. Colandrea's 346 total yards included a career-long 51-yard scamper in the second half and a pair of passing touchdowns to Gilmer to seal Nebraska's win.
Gilmer finished with a career-high 147 yards on 11 receptions with a pair of five-yard touchdown catches in the fourth quarter.
While Colandrea and Gilmer shined on offense, it was Dwayne McDougle III that made the game's biggest play for the Blackshirts.
With Nebraska trailing 23-14 late in the first half and Maryland driving inside the NU 30, McDougle made a play on a Malik Washington pass and took his first interception as Husker 81 yards to paydirt to completely change momentum in the game for the Big Red.
McDougle's return cut Maryland's lead to 23-21 with 2:41 left in the half, but the Huskers weren't done. On the ensuing drive, McDougle and the Blackshirts forced a quick three-and-out by the stunned Terp offense.
Colandrea and the Big Red offense took over at the NU 20 with 1:49 left and marched 80 yards in eight plays capped by Colandrea's one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer. The pass sent the Huskers to halftime with a 28-23 lead.
In the quarter, Colandrea completed 13-of-15 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Washington went 0-for-6 through the air with two interceptions.
The second quarter flipped the script from a first period that included Washington completing 11-of-18 passes for 177 yards and a score, while Colandrea went just 4-for-8 for 20 yards and an interception.
Despite the carrying the lead to the locker room, Nebraska was outgained 300-195 by Maryland in the first half, including 123 rushing yards on just 14 carries for the Terps. DeJuan Williams led the Terp ground game with six carries for 71 yards, including a score, picking up 59 yards on a two-carry drive that gave Maryland a 23-14 lead with 8:54 left in the half.
In the second half, Maryland managed just 18 rushing yards, including 11 on the game's final play.
Chris Durr Jr. dominated the first quarter for the Terps, hauling in five catches for 135 yards including a 65-yard touchdown to give Maryland a 10-7 edge midway through the first quarter. Durr finished with seven receptions for 149 yards.
Colandrea finished the half 17-for-23 with Gilmer hauling in six catches for 71 yards, while Isaiah Mozee added four receptions for 30 yards.
In addition to the game-changing play by McDougle, Nebraska's defense also got a first-half interception from Kade Pietrzak.
Owen Chambliss and Donovan Jones led the Blackshirts with eight tackles apiece, while Vincent Shavers Jr. continued his strong play with five tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble.
In a game that lasted nearly four hours, both teams were flagged for more than 100 yards apiece in penalties. The Huskers were penalized a season-high 16 times for 132 yards, while Maryland added 12 penalties for 115 yards in a rugged game. Nebraska's previous season high in penalties was just 65 yards on nine penalties in the opener against Ohio. The Huskers were flagged nine times for 91 yards in the first half alone against the Terps.
Nebraska returns to Big Ten Conference home action next Saturday by playing host to defending national champion Indiana. Kick-off is set for 11 a.m. (CT) with live television coverage provided by FOX.
Game Summary
Nebraska 48
Maryland 23
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium)
Attendance: 85,033 (414th consecutive sellout)
First Quarter (UMD, 16-7)
12:15 - UMD - Sean O'Haire 26 FG, 9 plays, 67 yards, 2:45, UMD 3-0
9:11 - NEB - Mekhi Nelson 19 run (Kyle Cunanan kick), 1 play, 19 yards, 0:07, NEB 7-3
8:33 - UMD - Chris Durr Jr. 65 pass from Malik Washington (O'Haire kick), 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:54, UMD 10-7
4:12 - UMD - O'Haire 42 FG, 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:54, UMD 13-7
2:22 - UMD - O'Haire 32 FG, 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:01, UMD 16-7
Second Quarter (NEB, 28-23)
12:37 - NEB - Nelson 5 run (Cunanan kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, 4:40, UMD 16-14
8:54 - UMD - DeJuan Williams 3 run (O'Haire kick), 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:31, UMD 23-14
2:41 - NEB - Dwayne McDougle III 81 interception return (Cunanan kick), 3:24, UMD 23-21
0:05 - NEB - Luke Lindenmeyer 1 pass from Anthony Colandrea (Cunanan kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, 1:44
Third Quarter (NEB, 28-23)
No Scoring
Fourth Quarter (NEB, 48-23)
14:58 - NEB - Vincent Genatone 1 run (Cunanan kick), 11 plays, 58 yards, 4:36, NEB 35-23
10:32 - NEB - Kwazi Gilmer 5 pass from Colandrea (Cunanan kick), 5 plays, 85 yards, 2:31, NEB 42-23
6:35 - NEB - Gilmer 5 pass from Colandrea (Cunanan kick no good), 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:52, NEB 49-23
Game Start: 3:05 p.m. (CT)
Length of Game: 3:51