LINCOLN (Interstat) — Anthony Colandrea threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns and added 108 rushing yards as Nebraska defeated Maryland 48-23 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers improved to 5-0, while the Terrapins dropped to 2-3. Colandrea, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound quarterback from Saint Petersburg, Fla., completed 26 of 39 passes. He helped Nebraska overcome a first-half deficit and turn a tight game into a comfortable Bowl Subdivision victory. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown and ran 10 times for 16 yards, but his interception became a pivotal Nebraska touchdown.

Maryland started fast. Sean O’Haire made a 26-yard field goal to open the scoring. Nebraska answered when Mekhi Nelson rushed right for a 19-yard touchdown. The Terrapins regained the lead when Washington connected with Chris Durr Jr. on a short middle pass that turned into a 65-yard touchdown. O’Haire then added field goals of 42 and 32 yards, giving Maryland a 16-7 advantage after the first quarter. The Terrapins’ early success came through Washington’s arm and O’Haire’s leg, but Nebraska stayed within striking distance behind its running game and Colandrea’s control of the offense.

In the second quarter, Nebraska cut the gap on Mekhi Nelson’s 5-yard touchdown run. Maryland responded with a 3-yard touchdown run by D. Williams. The back-and-forth continued when Washington was intercepted by Dwayne McDougle III, who returned the pick 81 yards for a Nebraska touchdown. That defensive score brought the Cornhuskers closer. With 5 seconds remaining before halftime, Colandrea found Luke Lindenmeyer for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Nebraska scored 21 points in the second quarter and took a 28-23 lead into the locker room, swinging momentum after Maryland had built an early double-digit cushion.

The third quarter produced no points. Nebraska’s Kyle Cunanan missed a 52-yard field goal attempt, and Maryland could not convert its opportunities into points. The Terrapins’ defense got contributions from Carlton Smith, who finished with eight tackles and one sack, while Daniel Wingate and Jayden Shipps each made six tackles. Amari Jackson, Lavain Scruggs and Jamare Glasker each recorded five tackles. Nebraska’s defense also tightened, with Owen Chambliss and Donovan Jones each posting eight tackles. Vincent Shavers Jr. had five tackles and one sack, and Donovan Jones added a quarterback hurry. The scoreless third quarter kept Maryland within reach, but the Terrapins needed a response in the fourth.

Nebraska delivered that response quickly. Vincent Genatone scored on a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Colandrea then threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kwazi Gilmer. Later, Colandrea connected with Gilmer again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown. The extra point failed after the final score, but Nebraska had already taken control. Nebraska scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Cornhuskers’ surge turned a five-point halftime lead into a 25-point victory. Maryland’s offense, which had moved the ball well in the first half, could not find the end zone after halftime. Nebraska’s pass rush and secondary limited the Terrapins’ chances, while Colandrea and the running game kept the chains moving.

Gilmer finished with 11 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Mekhi Nelson ran 14 times for 39 yards and two touchdowns and added three catches for 14 yards. Isaiah Mozee had eight carries for 46 yards, four receptions for 30 yards and a 17-yard kick return. Nyziah Hunter caught two passes for 17 yards and returned three kickoffs for 57 yards. Jacory Barney Jr. had two receptions for 11 yards and three punt returns for 25 yards. Luke Lindenmeyer caught three passes for 20 yards and one touchdown. Vincent Genatone had one rushing yard and one touchdown. Dwayne McDougle III made one tackle, one quarterback hurry and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Kade Pietrzak also intercepted a pass. Nebraska’s defense received two tackles each from Cameron Lenhardt, Caleb Benning, Williams Nwaneri, Victor Evans III, Danny Odem III, Andrew Marshall and Dexter Foster. Caleb Benning, Williams Nwaneri, Victor Evans III and Dexter Foster each recorded a quarterback hurry. Jeremiah Charles returned a punt 13 yards. Archie Wilson punted five times for 218 yards.

For Maryland, Kaleb Webb caught four passes for 53 yards. Dorian Fleming made five receptions for 25 yards. Ryan Manning had three catches for 23 yards. Jayden Kitchens caught one pass for 4 yards. Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding had one reception for no gain. Ricardo Cooper Jr. recorded four tackles, while Keyari James also had four. Carlton Smith led the Terrapins with eight tackles and a sack. Jamare Glasker, Lavain Scruggs and Amari Jackson each made five tackles. Jayden Shipps and Daniel Wingate each had six tackles. The Terrapins’ special teams were limited, including a punt that went for no yards. Maryland’s record moved to 2-3, while Nebraska remained unbeaten at 5-0.

Nebraska’s Dawson Merritt, Jeremiah Jones and Anthony Jones Jr. each made three tackles. Jamir Conn had four tackles. Vincent Shavers Jr. finished with five tackles and one sack. Owen Chambliss and Donovan Jones each posted eight tackles, and Donovan Jones added a quarterback hurry. Jahsear Whittington, Williams Nwaneri, Victor Evans III and Dexter Foster each recorded a quarterback hurry. Mason Goldman also had a quarterback hurry. Cameron Lenhardt and Caleb Benning each made two tackles, and Benning added a quarterback hurry. Andrew Marshall and Danny Odem III each had two tackles. Riley Van Poppel, Jasin Shiggs, Jordan Ochoa and Jahsear Whittington each made one tackle. Jeremiah Charles returned a punt 13 yards. Kade Pietrzak intercepted a pass. Nebraska’s defense forced Washington’s interception and limited Maryland after halftime.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Nebraska 45, Maryland 26. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Nebraska with an 89.4 percent probability to win. Maryland had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +15.5. The total score of 71 went under the over/under line of 52.5.