'We Just Sucked': Dana Holgorsen on Husker Offense's Midgame Slump vs. Spartans

Even the most casual fan could see it: During most of the middle two quarters last week against Michigan State, Nebraska's offense was a hot mess.

But how does the man in charge of the Huskers' offense explain it?

"We just sucked," offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said after Tuesday's football practice. "But it didn’t kill the team."

Holgorsen said it “changed the whole sideline” when Nebraska went backwards after Jacory Barney's 57-yard punt return in the second quarter to the Michigan State 26 yard line. Quarterback Dylan Raiola was sacked on first and second down on plays that Holgorsen said could have gone for touchdowns if not for missed assignments.

"MA by the left tackle," he said, "and an MA by the running back." Instead of scoring, Nebraska punted -- deflating for players and the home crowd alike.

“You can pinpoint what went wrong on every single play. ... It was challenging. We just had so much momentum.”

Raiola was sacked five times Saturday, but Holgorsen blamed just one of them on the quarterback. Holgorsen said his own bad play call led to one of the sacks.

Things were "snowballing" against the Huskers during the middle quarters, he noted, but everything changed when Raiola connected with Barney for 45 yards late in the third period on third-and-10. Emmett Johnson scored two plays later to tie the game at 21.

"We made a play, it sparked us, and we played great the rest of the game,” Holgorsen said.

"I was proud of how we worked ourselves out of some things to finish the way we finished," he said.

Nebraska's next opponent, Maryland, is averaging nearly four sacks per game on defense, tied for fourth in the nation.

"They’re going to pressure," Holgorsen said, "and we've got a big challenge ahead of us."

"I'm excited about that challenge. Can we improve to the point where we can protect the quarterback? ... I gotta put him in position to get the ball out, and I gotta get those guys to project him."

Also speaking Tuesday were defensive coordinator John Butler and players Williams Nwaneri, Elijah Jeudy, Dawson Merritt, Ceyair Wright, Dylan Raiola, Nyziah Hunter and Henry Lutovsky. You can watch the full media session from Tuesday below. Continue scrolling for more coverage.

Coverage

Nebraska On SI | True Freshman's Rapid Transition to College Football Raising the Blackshirts' Level of Play
Nebraska On SI | Holgorsen Doesn't Hold Back on Issues vs. Michigan State
Husker247 | Hits from Holgorsen: Future is now for younger tackles, fighting past the suck, and more
Husker247 | Guthrie keeps competing as role in defense grows
Husker247 | Hunter clocks a fast time even in one shoe; Key made his own impact even without a catch
Daily Nebraskan | Rex Guthrie taking advantage of first opportunity
Daily Nebraskan | Nebraska’s lack of pass protection and RB2 creates concerns down the stretch
Nebraska Athletics | Quotes: Holgorsen, Butler, Nwaneri, Jeudy, Lutovsky, Wright, Hunter, Raiola
Omaha World-Herald* | Dane Key played one of his best games without a catch
Omaha World-Herald* | How Dawson Merritt earned a start so early in his freshman year
Omaha World-Herald* | Holgorsen on rough offensive stretch: 'We just sucked'
Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: Williams Nwaneri's motor, Elijah Jeudy's spidey sack, O-line blocks out online trolls
Lincoln Journal Star* | Rex Guthrie's 'subtle' athleticism, and his rise to becoming a starter
Lincoln Journal Star* | DC Butler: DeShon Singleton had his ‘most physical game’ in MSU win
Lincoln Journal Star* | How the defensive line turned frustration in progress — and what’s next
HuskerOnline* | Holgorsen proud of offense for pulling out of horrifying rut against Michigan State
HuskerOnline* | Tuesday nuggets: Holgorsen, Butler talk challenges vs. Maryland
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From the Other Side

On3 | Matt Rhule shares hilarious story of trying to get a beer from Mike Locksley at his cousin's wedding
Inside MD Sports | Locksley on second-half playcalling vs. Washington, Sidney Stewart's ejection reaction and bouncing back
Inside MD Sports | Maryland's defense has had multiple personalities
Inside the Black & Gold | Mike Locksley on Nebraska, reviewing Washington loss & how players have responded
Maryland Athletics | Mathis, Stewart Added to Freshman of the Year Award Watch List
Washington Times* | After blowing win against Washington, Maryland’s season faces inflection point against Nebraska
Baltimore Sun* | Maryland vows to rebound from Washington loss: ‘Last week is over’
The Diamondback | Maryland blew a 20-point lead to Washington. These 3 stats tell why.

More info

Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

Aug. 28 Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
Sep. 6 Nebraska 68, Akron 0
Sep. 13 Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
Sep. 20 Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
Oct. 4 Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
Oct. 11 at Maryland 2:30 p.m. BTN
Oct. 17 (Friday) at Minnesota 7 p.m. FOX
Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern TBA
Nov. 1 vs. USC TBA
Nov. 8 at UCLA TBA
Nov. 22 at Penn State TBA
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times Central.

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