Nebraska’s Saturday night conference clash with Penn State did not go well following a bye week. There’s no way around it. The Huskers fell big time to the Nittany Lions, 37-10, failing to show any consistent physicality.
Nebraska couldn't slow down Penn State's offense, nor could it fully break through the Nittany Lions' defense. Penn State provided minimal leeway for Nebraska on either side, dominating the trenches and tallying 412 total yards on offense. The Huskers, meanwhile, finished with just 318 total yards of offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, Nebraska enters its regular-season finale against Iowa with many issues surrounding its grit. Though a bowl game is locked in for the Huskers, they need to fix the problems that led to their loss.
Here is Nebraska’s report card from its brutal 37-10 loss to Penn State.
Quarterbacks: B-
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback TJ Lateef (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesTJ Lateef’s second start did not go as efficiently as his UCLA outing. The Nittany Lions brought the pressure, leading to the true freshman making mistakes, much like against USC. A lot of Lateef’s incompletions resulted in either needing to get rid of the ball or just missing the mark.
He did keep some plays alive by moving around in and out of the pocket, but he couldn’t capitalize on many of those scrambles. He also suffered three sacks. But he still tossed 21-of-37 for 187 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown of the night, taking it in from 11 yards out.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTo Lateef's defense, he is a true freshman, and most of Nebraska’s game plan mirrored what it’s been running these past few games. With that said, both need to respond. Penn State didn’t fall for anything, and Iowa will likely be the same. Nebraska needs to learn from this loss and take the next step in providing a wider range of attacks.
For Lateef, he needs to maintain composure like he did against UCLA, and with this tough Penn State team past him, he gets an opportunity to try and bounce back at home.
Running Backs: B
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesEmmett Johnson earned another 100-yard game on the ground, tallying 103, and produced 48 receiving yards. But 52 of his rushing yards occurred on one run during the opening drive. Though he continued to do what he did all season, fighting for yards, he couldn’t find much.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNebraska leaned a lot on him, though, and Penn State flooded towards Johnson every time he got the ball after his big run. Mekhi Nelson earned a few carries, finishing with 13 yards off three runs.
The backfield didn’t make any costly mistakes and is a valuable piece of the offense. But if they can’t get going, this offense cannot function.
Wide Receivers: B-
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr (2) runs with the ball on a kickoff return during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesNebraska’s receiving corps had a mixed outing, with Lateef making some good plays but also making mistakes. The group made some good receptions, but also suffered a few drops, false starts and missed blocks.
They need to clean that up for Iowa, but at the same time, the group needs to be able to create separation against what will be a blanketed Hawkeyes secondary.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNebraska did find a few moments of success against Penn State. Jacory Barney led the Huskers in receiving yards, hauling in five catches for 55 yards. Dane Key finished with 48 receiving yards, earning his share off four catches. Nyziah Hunter made one reception for 19 yards.
The Huskers’ final two games cannot be primarily run-based. Whether the playcalling expands or Nebraska continues its current plan, the receivers need to be productive on every play they are called upon.
Offensive Line: C
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesNebraska’s offense since Minnesota seems to be driven to produce short, quick plays. But Penn State, as mentioned before, got to the football almost every single time. Though the line had a few moments of success on the night, the majority of its battle resulted in little to no gains.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere isn’t much that hasn’t been said before about the line. When it can’t hold its initial push, the pipeline begins to leak. The key for this group is just executing from the snap. If it can stand its ground, Johnson and the rest of the group will do the rest.
Defensive Line: C-
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesNo sacks, no tackles for loss and 231 rushing yards. Much like the pipeline, this continues to be the theme for Nebraska’s defensive front and not much else can really be said.
There needs to be some physicality in the trenches. If the group can’t close out the season showing any signs of improvement, this offseason is going to be a daunting task to address it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLinebackers: C-
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesThe second level also needs improvement. The linebackers were consistently taken out of the play against Penn State by blocks or by overcommitting to a gap or zone. This led to a lot happening up the middle for the Nittany Lions.
Much like the defensive line, this group needs to show physicality. Iowa is only going to be tougher for this group, especially with Mark Gronowski being a dual-threat quarterback. If they can’t stop Gronkowski from taking off, Black Friday will not be a pretty sight.
Defensive Backs: D+
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) makes a catch during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesDeShon Singleton produced the team’s only sack of the night. But that was the highlight for the secondary, who allowed Ethan Grunkemeyer to go 11-of-12 for 181 yards. Though Penn State leaned primarily on the run, the secondary couldn’t do much against it either.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut every time Grunkemeyer dropped back to pass, nearly every receiver he found was all alone to catch it, whether it was a quick toss to the outside or a throw downfield. The defensive backs also drew two pass interference penalties, as they were unable to defend the pass properly.
Iowa doesn’t rely heavily on the aerial attack, but much like Penn State, it’s been able to make the most of its few strikes. This group cannot repeat that if it wants to keep Nebraska in the game. The offense already has a mountain to climb with Iowa’s defense.
Special Teams: C+
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions kicker Ryan Barker (94) is congratulated after kicking a field goal during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesRough punts, mixed decisions on returns, a fake punt converted by Penn State and a personal foul call on Archie Wilson. This, along with a lack of explosive plays, made it the worst special-teams game of the season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn one hand, this is nothing compared to past seasons for Nebraska’s special teams. But on the other hand, this shouldn’t become a habit from the third phase. Iowa’s special teams capitalizes on mistakes made by its opponents, but also found itself in dire situations.
The group can make something happen on Black Friday, but the key takeaway from this game is making sure they do not carry over any of its mistakes.
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska's report card from its blowout loss to Penn State
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