Nebraska and Matt Rhule appeared primed for a Week 9 win over Washington on Saturday, Oct. 31, with the Cornhuskers leading the Huskies by four points with just over 90 seconds in regulation.
All the Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-3 in Big Ten) needed was one stop on fourth-and-18. Instead, a stunning collapse unfolded.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams converted a critical play with a 24-yard completion to Chris Lawson. Two plays later, Williams found Lawson again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown that gave the Huskies a 10-7 lead with 1:30 remaining.
The Cornhuskers' late-fourth-quarter collapse and struggles didn't end there.
On Nebraska's ensuing drive, Cornhuskers
quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw an interception across the middle of the field that was returned by Alex McLaughlin for the 48-yard pick-6. It was Colandrea's third interception of the game, in which he also completed 24 of 44 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown.
The collapse also brought out frustration from those in the stands at Memorial Stadium, as some fans were seen throwing items onto the field to show their displeasure with what had just happened: a third straight game where the Cornhuskers saw their late fourth-quarter lead go away.
Nebraska led 7-3, with Washington facing a 4th & 18 with the game on the line.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) November 1, 2026
Under 60 seconds later, Huskies score 14 points and Nebraska fans are throwing trash on the field.
My goodness, I got nothing pic.twitter.com/obCTH9fIDl
Last time I was here(1998) Nebraska fans could not have been friendlier. Tonight they were throwing whatever they could get their hands on when the game didn't go their way pic.twitter.com/TLB2i2QdfU
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) November 1, 2026
Following Nebraska's 17-10 loss, Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule told reporters that he took the blame for calling a corner blitz on fourth-and-18 in the fourth quarter, the play where Williams converted the fourth-and-long to set up Washington's go-ahead score.
"That play is 100% on me," Rhule said. "... As we search for ways to get off the field at the end. I have to live with ."
Nebraska has now lost three straight games by a combined 13 points. The Cornhuskers are the only team in FBS this season to have held a lead heading into the fourth quarter.
"I certainly understand how frustrated everyone is that this has happened three games in a row," Rhule said. “I obviously feel it, too. I’m responsible for it. It’s my job."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska held late lead over Washington. 60 seconds later, fans were trashing field
