Senior Tommy Armstrong, who will go down as one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history, watched from the sidelines in sweats as Nebraska took on Maryland for its final home game of the season on Saturday.
The Huskers were able to get by just fine without him in a 28-7 victory, as fellow senior Ryker Fyfe stepped in with a career game in his first ever home start.
The former walk-on from Grand Island, Neb., did far more than simply keep the offense on schedule, finishing 23-of-37 passing for 220 yards and a touchdown and leading scoring drives on four of his first six possessions of the day.
Senior running back Terrell Newby also had a big game with 23 carries for 98 yards (114 yards of total offense), as NU (9-2 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) ended up out-gaining the Terrapins 401-207 in total offense.
Maryland (5-6, 2-6) was able to march the ball into Nebraska territory on the game’s opening possession, but a failed fourth-down conversion at the NU 28-yard line ended the threat.
The Huskers quickly capitalized with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped off with an eight-yard touchdown run by Newby.
Following another defensive stop, Fyfe hit senior receiver Brandon Reilly for a 24-yard gain and then converted a fourth-and-1 with a 14-yard rush. Newby took it from there, picking up his second rushing touchdown of the day from five yards out to make it 14-0.
The Blackshirts quickly forced another Maryland punt, and but the Huskers were finally stopped when the Terps blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by Spencer Lindsay - who took over at kicker after Drew Brown suffered a head injury on the opening kickoff.
Maryland couldn’t do anything with the opportunity, though, and Nebraska’s offense took over and got right back to work. A 21-yard run by Fyfe on third down and two defensive pass interference calls on the Terrapins helped set up first and goal.
Fyfe connected with senior wide out Jordan Westerkamp on a slant over the middle for a 4-yard touchdown pass with just 17 seconds left in the half to highlight a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive and send NU into halftime up 21-0.
Fyfe ended the first half 14-of-20 passing for 153 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Nebraska out-gained Maryland 270-91, had an 18-6 edge on first downs, and was 6-of-8 on third down conversions.
Nebraska would eventually add to that lead with Newby’s third touchdown rush of the day, this time from one yard out to make it 28-0 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
That finished off yet another grinder of a scoring drive for NU, this one going 69 yards on 14 plays and eating up 7:47 off the clock.
The score would hold on into the fourth quarter, until Maryland finally broke the shutout with a 92-yard touchdown pass from Max Bortenschlager to D.J. Moore with 12:22 left to play.
That marked the Terps' first touchdown in 33 offensive drives over more than 11 consecutive quarters.
With the victory, Nebraska finished the season a perfect 7-0 at home, its first undefeated home record since 2012 and just the second since 2001.
Nebraska will be on a short week when it returns to action for its regular-season finale at Iowa on Black Friday. Kickoff time and TV info have yet to be announced, but will likely be revealed on Saturday night.
