Huskers lose to Purdue after leading at the half

After leading Purdue at the half, Nebraska gives up 14 unanswered points, losing 28-23.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After leading at the half, Nebraska lost to Purdue 28-23.

Nebraska got the scoring underway on their first drive when quarterback Adrian Martinez hit Omar Manning for a 16-yard touchdown pass.

Purdue scored on Nebraska’s second drive, when Martinez threw his first interception of the game and Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham took it for a 45-yard interception return touchdown.

After Purdue’s score, the Huskers got back to work. Running back Jaquez Yant did much of the heavy lifting, tallying 51 yards on two rushing attempts, the second of which het was tackled at the one-yard line.

Two plays later, Martinez capped off the five-play, 75-yard drive with a score, rolling to his left and running it in from four yards out to give the Huskers a 14-7 lead.

The Boilermakers answered back with a 14-play, 75-yard drive of their own, punctuated by a one-yard score by running back Zander Horvath.

The Huskers received the ball with less than four minutes remaining in the first half. Martinez got the Huskers into scoring position with a 43-yard pass to receiver Levi Falck. The Huskers were unable to score a touchdown on the drive, but kicker Chase Contreraz made a 33-yard field goal to give Nebraska a 17-14 halftime lead.

Coming out of the half, both teams traded punts, and Martinez threw his second interception of the game.

Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell led his team on back-to-back scoring drives, with touchdown passes to Milton Wright and Jackson Anthrop.

Nebraska would score late in the fourth quarter as Martinez found running back Rahmir Johnson for a 12-yard score with 1:44 to go in the game.

However, the Huskers were unable to recover an onside kick attempt and Purdue would go on to win 28-23.