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LINCOLN, Neb. - It's a story Husker nation is all too familiar with. 

Nebraska suffered another one-score loss and it came to another AP Top 25 opponent. 

Nebraska fell to #23 USC 21-17 on Saturday nigh/ With the loss, the Huksers make it 29 straight losses against Top 25 opponenets.

“This is obviously a bitter pill for us to swallow,” Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule said. “We had a lot of opportunities to win the football game and the third quarter, a few drives just put us out of whack and took us out of rhythm.”

Nebraska led 14-6 at the half, with touchdowns belonging to Dane Key and Emmett Johnson. But things would go south during the third quarter when quarterback Dylan Raiola would leave the game with an injury.

In addition, Matt Rhule’s decision to call a timeout and kick a field goal from the 34-yard line left many scratching their heads. Kyle Cunanan would miss the 51 yarder, but Rhule said the decision to kick came from faith in his kicker.

 

“It seemed like a good time to take the points, he made a 53-yarder in Kansas City, similar situation here,” Rhule said. “I just thought if we felt good about it, take the points.”

By far the brightest point of the game for Nebraska was the run game, specifically Emmett Johnson. Johnson ran the ball 29 times for 165 yards and a touchdown, while also eclipsing 1,000 yards on the season.

 Johnson said none of that maters because there’s not an addition to the win column.

“Honestly it comes down to winning the game. That’s all I really cared about,” Johnson said. “I’m blessed an thankful to god, give credit to my line, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the game.”

With the loss, Nebraska falls to 6-3 on the season. 

The Huskers take on UCLA next Saturday on the road, with kick off set for 8:00 PM on FOX.