PARKER GABRIEL
Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska football writer Parker Gabriel offers his extra points from Nebraska's 42-28 home loss to Purdue.
Turning point: Nebraska trailed 10-7 but had pushed across midfield on an effective drive late in the first quarter when Jerald Foster was flagged for a personal foul. The way he explained it, he just re-engaged a defender when the defender tried to get up.
At that moment, Adrian Martinez was 6-of-7 passing for 69 yards and the Huskers had rushed for 80 first-quarter yards. That penalty, NU’s first of far too many on the afternoon, led to second-and-20 and the drive stalled. It’s not so much Foster’s penalty in and of itself, and really, this was death by 1,000 self-inflicted cuts rather than one watershed moment, but it was the first sign of trouble on a bad afternoon.
It was over when: The Huskers had two chances to narrow a two-score margin midway through the fourth quarter but drives ended in a Martinez interception and a turnover on downs. The pick with 8:50 to go didn’t actually fully cripple NU’s chances, because the defense forced a second straight three-and-out in just 1:01. The fourth-down failure came with 6:11 remaining, though, and the clock worked heavily against the Huskers from there.
Quotable: Senior outside linebacker Luke Gifford on battling through a winless September:
“It’s hard, man. I know the guys feel the same way. All you can do is try to get to a new level. I, myself, have not played up to the standard that I hold myself to the past couple of games, that’s for sure. I need to have more of an impact. As a captain and as a leader and a guy that these guys look up to, I have to find a way to impact the game more than that. I’m going to be doing that this week in practice.â€
Game ball: Purdue senior quarterback David Blough. This guy has almost lost (or actually lost) his grip on the Boilermakers’ starting job multiple times since Jeff Brohm took over and yet he’s on fire right now. A week after ripping up Boston College, he completed 25 of 42 passes against the Huskers for 328 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 38 yards and another score, played turnover-free ball and kept Purdue on the move all afternoon.
Game ball: Devine Ozigbo. Another testament to sticking with it. Ozigbo was the back who many thought didn’t fit in Frost's system. But there he was Saturday, turning in the best game of his career. He looked powerful but also quick, and showed, if not breakaway speed, good wheels on a long run up the sideline. Ozigbo finished with a career-best 170 yards and two scores on 17 carries.
Notable performance: Junior corner Eric Lee had barely seen the field this season and might not have, had Lamar Jackson not been benched and freshman Cam Taylor been unavailable. But he held up OK in more than 30 minutes of duty, finishing with five tackles. The Huskers certainly could use the depth on the outside.
Deep connection: You can’t draw it up any better than the throw Martinez made to JD Spielman in the back corner of the end zone for the second of their two scoring connections. In an abysmal start to the season, Martinez is doing things that make you wonder just how high his ceiling is.
5: Sacks by the Blackshirts in the past three games, including just one Saturday. Nebraska had seven against Colorado, but the well’s dried up the past three weeks.
11:27: Time of possession for Purdue in the second quarter. That landslide almost certainly played a role in the Boilermakers’ three straight touchdown drives in the second half. Overall, Purdue had the ball for 36:16, compared with 23:44 for Nebraska.
1,147: Combined offensive yards for Nebraska in losses to Colorado and Purdue. All that production has yielded 57 points. That’s 20.1 yards per point in the games when the offense was rolling. Last year, UCF averaged 11 yards per point for the entire season. NU must turn yards into points more efficiently.
11: Rushing touchdowns allowed by Nebraska through four games, including four Saturday.
392: Minimum number of days between Memorial Stadium wins for Nebraska, which hasn’t won at home since Sept. 23, 2017, and plays the next two weeks on the road.
Minus 9: Nebraska’s differential in average starting field position against the Boilermakers (own 22 to own 31). The Huskers have not won that battle in a game yet this season.
Photos: Huskers fall to 0-4 with loss to Purdue
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll runs past Purdue defenders at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle tackles Purdue wide receiver Jared Sparks at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue running back D.J. Knox (1) leaps over Nebraska's Lamar Jackson (21) at the 1-yard line as Huskers linebacker Mohamed Barry looks on in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins catches a 12-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) greets fans during the Unity Walk prior to the Purdue game at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan (8) fails to catch a pass as Purdue's Kenneth Major (2) and Navon Mosley (right) defend on a first-quarter play Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez is brought down by Purdue's Jack Sullivan at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with an official after a pass play in the first quarter against Purdue at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan reacts to a call against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins (89) leaps over Nebraska safety Deontai Williams during a 51-yard reception in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's Rondale Moore (4) gains a first down against Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
A Nebraska cheerleader is reflected into a trombone during the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska cheerleaders stand outside Memorial Stadium before the Unity Walk on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez happily high-fives Huskers fans as he and the team take part in the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Dressed for the elements, Cornhusker Marching Band members (from left) Hunter Foged, Eric Vander Woude and Tyler Butterfield enjoy pizza and water after leading the team in the Unity Walk before the game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Shae Marburger, 9, of Malvern, Iowa, wraps up in a blanket to stay warm before the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Quarterback Adrian Martinez makes his way down the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Zak Alber, 12, waits for players to arrive at the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue quarterback David Blough looks for open players during the second half against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Freedom Akinmoladun (right) and Luke Gifford react to a penalty called during the second half against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Head coach Scott Frost waits to proceed down the Unity Walk at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost yells at a sideline official during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Stanley Morgan is unable to catch a pass under cover from Purdue's Kenneth Major during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) has words with a sideline official during the third quarter as defensive coordinator Erik Chinander looks on last season at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins displays the ball after scoring on a 12-yard pass reception against Nebraska in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) gets hit by Purdue's Jacob Thieneman as he releases the ball in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's Markell Jones scores a touchdown against Nebraska during the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a pass that would be intercepted during the fourth quarter against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Devine Ozigbo (left) and Cameron Pieper question a call by referees late in the third quarter against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
A Husker fan throws his arms up in frustration at penalties called on the field during the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's Rondale Moore (4) races past Nebraska's Deontai Williams during the second half of a 2018 game at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's Rondale Moore carries the ball against Nebraska during the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Devine Ozigbo runs the ball during the second half against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Devine Ozigbo ran for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final season as a Husker. Ozigbo has his sights set on playing in the NFL and gets a chance to show his skills in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's Brycen Hopkins can't make the catch Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez (2) runs the ball against Purdue during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's JD Spielman is hoisted in the air by his teammates after he scored one of his two third-quarter touchdowns against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez is taken to the ground by Purdue's Markus Bailey (left) and Derrick Barnes during the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's JD Spielman (10) catches a touchdown pass against the coverage of Purdue's Jacob Thieneman during the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo runs against Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Ozigbo scored two touchdowns and ran for 170 yards in the Huskers' 42-28 loss.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue running back D.J. Knox (1) scores on a 6-yard run in the third quarter against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Knox also scored the two-point conversion after this play.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a pass during the third quarter against Purdue on Sept 29 at Memorial Stadium.
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) gets pressured by Purdue's Kai Higgins in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska safety Tre Neal (14) breaks up a pass intended for Purdue's Brycen Hopkins, but the play was negated because the Huskers called a timeout before the play started in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska cornerback Eric Lee (6) tackles Purdue wide receiver Isaac Zico at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Bill Murray
Cornhusker Marching Band member Cameron Stussie (left) gets a selfie with actor Bill Murray on the sidelines before the Sept. 29, 2018, game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's D.J. Knox (1) is brought down by Nebraska's Mohamed Barry (7), Khalil Davis (94), Dedrick Young (5) and Deontai Williams (41) in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Deontai Williams (41) and Ben Stille (95) tackle Purdue quarterback David Blough at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
5. PURDUE (5-4, 4-2)
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Red balloons are released after a Nebraska touchdown at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo dives for the pylon to score a touchdown against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue's D.J. Knox comes down just shy of the end zone at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins leaps over Nebraska safety Deontai Williams at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco instructs his players as they warm up before playing Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29, 2018.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska coach Scott Frost jogs off the field after losing to Purdue at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Former Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan stiff-arms Purdue's Antonio Blackmon as he's run out of bounds at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29, 2018.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska wide receiver Kade Warner (right) is brought down by Purdue's Simeon Smiley at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks to pass against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan is tackled by Purdue's Kenneth Major (2) and Navon Mosley (27) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Purdue quarterback David Blough falls to the ground at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Nebraska was called for roughing the passer on the play.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska's Dedrick Young (left) tackles Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks to run past Purdue safety Navon Mosley (27) at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29, 2018.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska linebacker Mohamed Barry (7) celebrates a tackle against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Running back Devine Ozigbo (22) leaps over Purdue safety Jacob Thieneman at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska coach Scott Frost is set to enter his third season with the Huskers.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen slides across the turf against Purdue in 2018 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska head coach expresses his frustrations at an official at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
A pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan is broken up at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (right) tackles Purdue wide receiver Jared Sparks at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
EMILY BLOBAUM, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) directs the offense during the first quarter against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) gets sacked by Purdue's Anthony Watts and Jacob Thieneman in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska linebacker Will Honas (3) holds his knee in the end zone in the second quarter against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska safety Antonio Reed (25) attempts a tackle on Purdue's Brycen Hopkins, but is injured on the play in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
 Actor Bill Murray watches the warmups on the field before the Huskers take on Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Former University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds (left) shakes hands with Brant Banks of Houston before the Purdue game in 2018 at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska recruit Carson Lee of Cherry Creek High School on the sideline prior to the Purdue game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska recruits Chris Hickman (center) of Omaha Burke and Garrett Snodgress (left) of York walk the sidelines prior to the Purdue game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller rushes Purdue quarterback David Blough in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo (22) scored two touchdowns and ran for 170 yards on 17 carries in the Huskers' 42-28 loss to Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. Purdue, 9/29
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo carries the ball on his way to a two-touchdown day in which he ran for 170 yards in the Huskers' 42-28 loss to Purdue on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
• Texts from columnists
• The most breaking Husker news
• Cutting-edge commentary
• Husker history photo galleries
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!