When a road game against a Big Ten opponent ends in a lopsided 37-10 defeat, blame often falls to the skill positions, particularly the signal-caller. While TJ Lateef certainly faced challenges, the fundamental truth of Nebraska’s (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) loss to Penn State (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten) lies in the line of scrimmage.
The game was won and lost in the trenches, where the Blackshirts were bullied by a dominant ground attack and the Huskers’ offensive line struggled to provide any meaningful protection, ultimately rendering Lateef’s efforts.
The brutal 37-10 final score of Nebraska’s loss to Penn State might lead casual observers to blame Lateef, but a deeper look at the game reveals the freshman was simply a passenger in a game lost in the trenches and through systemic failures, not the passing attack. Lateef’s final stat line, 21-for-37 for 187 yards and a rushing touchdown, was serviceable for a freshman on the road, showing poise and managing the team’s only score.
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Yvan Kemajou (99) pressures Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback TJ Lateef (14) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
However, he constantly battled immense pressure from Penn State’s defensive front, which generated three sacks and six tackles for loss as the Cornhuskers’ offensive line failed to hold up. The true issue was a line problem, not a quarterback problem, compounded by a lack of execution, such as the turnover on downs at the 2-yard line following a long run. The failed conversion highlighted a breakdown in blocking rather than poor decision-making from the young quarterback.
The single most devastating factor in the 37-10 rout was the complete breakdown of the Nebraska run defense, which was utterly overwhelmed by Penn State’s powerful running back duo. Penn State established immediate dominance, racking up 231 rushing yards for the game, including record-setting performances where Kaytron Allen set the program’s all-time career rushing record with 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Nick Singleton tied the program’s all-time rushing touchdown record with two scores.
The Nittany Lions required no reliance on their passing game, as they simply ran over a Nebraska defensive front that was routinely out-leveraged and beaten off the ball, causing the Cornhuskers’ struggling national run defense ranking (already 90th) to take another major hit.
Ultimately, the loss resulted from a systemic failure across all three phases, making any single critique of the quarterback incomplete. The offense struggled due to the o-line’s inability to protect Lateef or succeed in the red zone. The defense, especially the run defense, allowed Penn State to run freely, effectively controlling the clock and momentum. Even the normally reliable special teams unit made uncharacteristic mistakes, including penalties and a failed fake punt that greatly contributed to the unfavorable field position.
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Lateef’s primary role for the majority of the game was managing the ball and attempting to navigate a collapsing pocket against an NFL-caliber defensive line. To place the burden of a 27-point loss on the shoulders of the freshman quarterback ignores the fundamental truth of the game. Nebraska was outmatched in the trenches, and that is where the game was truly lost.
The Cornhuskers’ progress is undeniable, but the physical talent along both lines remains the greatest barrier to competing with the Big Ten’s elite. While Lateef showed flashes of resilience, the final score reflects a systemic failure across all three phases, proving that the real barrier to competing with the Big Ten’s elite is not the quarterback, but the need to close the physical gap along both lines of scrimmage.
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