The Washington Huskies were mired by poor starts in both halves as they fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 51-38 on Saturday. The Huskies kept things close through the first half but lost control in second half as the Cornhuskers racked up three touchdowns.
The game started on an ominous note for Washington. Nebraska used a huge return by Ameer Abdullah and a huge 50-yard pass from quarterback Taylor Martinez to Knenny Bell to set up a three-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Legate. By the time the Huskies knew what hit them, they trailed 7-0 less than one minute into the game.
Washington fought back the rest of the half though and led 14-10 just minutes into the second quarter. The Huskies entered the locker room at halftime down 20-17.
The first five minutes of the third quarter decided the game. The Huskies received the second-half kickoff but went three-and-out. The Cornhuskers took the ball down the field from there and scored on a one-yard run by Rex Burkhead, giving them a comfortable 27-17 lead.
Washington fumbled away the ensuing kickoff return and gave Nebraska the ball back at the one-yard line. Burkhead returned and replicated his earlier play, recording his second rushing touchdown of the day on another one-yard run. The play put Nebraska up 34-17.
Give the Huskies credit, though. The team fought back with three quick scores in the fourth quarter to close within 51-38. Those scores came just a little too late though, and a late pick of quarterback Keith Price with under 1:30 left in the game sealed Washington's fate.
Price recorded 274 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions on 21-of-37 passing. Running back Chris Polk had 130 rushing yards one touchdown on 22 carries. Wide receiver James Johnson, meanwhile, helped lead the fourth-quarter charge with recorded 108 yards and two touchdowns on six passes.
The Huskies take their first loss of the season and fall to 2-1. Washington will take on the Cal Golden Bears next Saturday at home.