Sports

Nebraska’s Refusal To Learn From Rival Regarding Confusing Field Design Prevents Upset Of Michigan

#Nebraska Cornhuskers
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A view of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images


The Nebraska football team fell to Big 10 rival Michigan in Week 4 action, 30-27. They left four points on the board thanks to a confusing field design decision.

The endzone layout led to an illegal touching penalty on what should’ve been an easy Cornhuskers touchdown. It might’ve just prevented the home team from pulling off the upset.

Now, before we start, it’s worth noting that one single play did not determine the final outcome.

An inability to stop the run on defense led to 30 Michigan points. The Nebraska offense began the outing with a turnover on downs near the goal line, a missed field goal, and an interception on its first three possessions, the last of which led to the Wolverines‘ first touchdown.

The early mistakes resulted in a 10-0 hole. The Cornhuskers fought back to tie the game.

Self-inflicted wounds haunted the Nebraska football team.

Michigan regained its 10-point advantage in the third quarter. The Cornhuskers again fought back to get to within a score.

They appeared to cut the deficit to three points with a Dylan Raiola touchdown pass. That play was wiped out by an illegal touching penalty.

Nyziah Hunter got lost in the back of the endzone. It appeared the paint scheme played a role.

The wideout was all alone. He drifted out of bounds as the red paint extended beyond the boundary. It cost the Cornhuskers a touchdown.

They’d kick a field goal, resulting in a four-point swing. They’d eventually lose by three.

Nebraska’s endzone design confused its own player. They should’ve learned from a conference rival.

Purdue changed its endzones after a similar gaffe.

Last year, the Boilermakers ran into the same exact issue during a game vs. Penn State. A wide open De’Nylon Morrissette drifted out of the back of the endzone due to the confusing field design.

Their mistake wouldn’t prove all that costly as Purdue lost, 49-10. Still, it led to change.

The team adjusted its endzone scheme in 2025, removing the paint inside the zone while keeping the black outline beyond the boundary. It is now much easier to distinguish what is in and out of bounds.

Nebraska did not follow suit. It led to a costly penalty in a close upset bid. It will be interesting to see if it impacts the team moving forward.