Report card from Nebraska's heartbreaking loss to Indiana

Nebraska's football team faced a tough loss to Indiana this past Saturday, falling 20-17 in the fourth quarter due to a 14-point, unanswered barrage. Despite the fourth-quarter collapse, reminiscent of previous Scott Frost-era setbacks, Nebraska put up a strong fight, keeping the offense in check and uncovering some defensive weaknesses. However, the struggles went beyond that pivotal quarter, as the team has grappled with various issues throughout its season, which are likely to persist through the final game.

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea demonstrated grit and resilience, pulling off big plays and even scoring a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter. Despite facing a challenging fourth quarter, Colandrea threw for 25 completions on 18 attempts, accumulating 263 passing yards and rushing for an additional 47 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts.

However, he was not without mistakes, throwing one interception and making several throws that fell short due to various factors like penalties, drops, and the wind. Colandrea's performance was commendable, but he needs to overcome his recent inconsistent throws to maintain his effectiveness.

The running back room struggled to match Colandrea's impact. The group lost six yards on five sacks, leaving Colandrea with 47 yards instead of his 74 yards. Nevertheless, Jamal Rule returned from injury and contributed 53 yards on 15 carries, while Mekhi Nelson added 54 yards on four carries, including a crucial 36-yard touchdown catch.

While the group fought hard against Indiana's strong defense, they haven't managed to dominate in a Big Ten game just yet. Nonetheless, continued competitiveness from the running backs could lead to breakthroughs against the remaining ranked opponents.

Wide receivers supported Colandrea's passing game, with 21 catches for 196 yards, showcasing their ability to catch key passes. Jacory Barney Jr. led the group with nine catches for 108 yards, while Jacory Barney Jr., Luke Lindenmeyer, and Nyziah Hunter all contributed significantly. However, penalties and drops hindered their performance, emphasizing the need for better consistency.

The outside blocking also played a vital role in several big scores, highlighting the need for improvement in a few areas like drops and missed blocks.