Nebraska football rolled to a 48-23 Homecoming victory over Maryland on October 3, 2026, at Memorial Stadium. The win pushed the Huskers to 5-0 for the first time since 2016, powered by 34 unanswered points, Anthony Colandrea's 346 total yards, and an 81-yard interception return by Dwayne McDougle III.
How Nebraska Turned a Sloppy First Half Into a 48-23 Rout
The afternoon in Lincoln started with plenty of self-inflicted damage. Nebraska racked up 16 penalties for 132 yards, including nine flags and 91 penalty yards in the first half alone, while Maryland quarterback Malik Washington and receiver Chris Durr Jr. picked apart the Husker defense early. Durr hauled in five catches for 135 yards in the opening quarter—finishing with seven receptions for 149 yards overall—including a 65-yard touchdown that gave the Terrapins a 10-7 edge midway through the period.
Maryland eventually pushed its lead to 23-14 in the second quarter following a 59-yard ground burst on a two-carry drive by DeJuan Williams. That was when the afternoon shifted entirely. Dwayne McDougle III jumped in front of a pass attempt on a slant pattern and returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown, halting a drive inside the NU 25-yard line that threatened to put the Terrapins up by two scores. The Blackshirts generated 14 total pressures during the matchup, led by a defensive line that recorded nine pressures despite sacking Washington just once. Kade Pietrzak added an interception by dropping into coverage, and Williams Nwaneri contributed three quarterback hurries.
“I was playing off the quarterback, and as soon as he pulled the trigger, I knew I was taking it the other way.”
Dwayne McDougle III, senior defensive back via The Daily Nebraskan
That play sparked a 34-0 run by the Huskers that stretched past halftime. Nebraska shut out Maryland in the second half for the second consecutive week, limiting the Terrapins to just 95 total yards after the break—including a mere 18 rushing yards in front of an official attendance of 85,033 fans marking the 414th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
Anthony Colandrea and Kwazi Gilmer Fuel the Husker Offense
With freshman running back Jamal Rule sidelined, senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea carried the offense with his arm and his legs. Colandrea completed 26-of-39 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 108 yards on 10 carries, which included a 51-yard scamper in the second half and brought his total yards to 346. Junior running back Mekhi Nelson also supported the ground game with 53 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns, including a 19-yard scoring run in the first quarter.
Junior wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer was the primary beneficiary through the air, catching 11 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets, including a pair of five-yard scores in the fourth quarter. Gilmer became the third player in program history to record more than 100 receiving yards in back-to-back Big Ten games.
“Honestly, I missed him a lot. I really didn’t play good; I missed a lot of throws. That can’t happen. Kwazi does a great job at getting separation and getting open.”
Anthony Colandrea, senior quarterback via The Daily Nebraskan
“I didn’t understand some things that happened; I didn’t understand why I didn’t have my guys more mentally locked in and prepared to play. I have to do a better job.”
Matt Rhule, head coach via The Daily Nebraskan
Milestones and the Test Waiting Against Indiana
The victory brought several milestones to light in Lincoln. Nebraska is 5-0 for the first time since 2016, started 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2017, and scored 79 combined points across its first two Big Ten opponents.
Meanwhile, the loss kept head coach Mike Locksley’s seat warm as Maryland dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in conference play under athletic director Jim Smith’s purview.
Next Saturday morning at Memorial Stadium on October 10 at an 11 a.m. CT kickoff televised on Fox with the Big Noon Kickoff crew arriving in Lincoln for pregame coverage beginning at 9 a.m., No. 6 Indiana visits. A win against the defending national champion Hoosiers would give the Huskers their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2016 and snap a 30-game losing streak against ranked teams.
