Shatel: The end of the Scott Frost era is a case of when, not if
Scott Frost #ScottFrost
LINCOLN — A Full Moon hung above Memorial Stadium Saturday night, the same Full Moon that presided over a day of chaos in college football.
First came Marshall-Notre Dame. Then Appalachian State-Texas A&M. And Washington State-Wisconsin.
Finally, we had Georgia Southern 45, Nebraska 42.
And now we have real chaos.
I don’t expect a press conference on Sunday. No coaching change. Not on the eve of Oklahoma week.
But all bets are off for the rest of this Nebraska season and where it goes from here.
On a night that felt like the end, things took a sudden turn on a strange night at Memorial Stadium, where Georgia Southern set the tone and had its way with Nebraska’s defense and the offense was forced to try and keep up.
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NU’s defense was atrocious, allowing 642 total yards, including 409 passing and 233 rushing.
The Eagles were 9-of-13 on third down conversions and 7.5 yards per play. NU’s offense put up similar numbers, but in a Nebraska-Georgia Southern match, only one of those is expected.
True, Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease runs an efficient and quick tempo offense. And Vantrease was uncanny, rarely missing a receiver (66 percent) and confidently moving his team up and down the field.
But while the up-tempo is a tough defend, that wasn’t the culprit so much as the Eagles’ knack for popping big runs through open gaps. And all of those missed tackles.
It was all so stunning, play after play, drive after drive. Nobody expected Nebraska’s defense to be lights out this year. But the lack of playmaking and execution has been jarring, not to mention inexcusable.
Scott Frost has a nice offense. But the defense in year five is throwing water on the campaign to save his job.
Casey Thompson was good again, this time rushing for three touchdowns. Anthony Grant and Ajay Allen looked formidable again.
But they were always running from behind, and when they finally caught Georgia Southern in the final minutes, going ahead for the first time, it didn’t take the Eagles long to grab it back for good.
As Husker fans shuffled toward the exits, they looked stunned and numb. They have seen so many of these games end like this, one after another, and now Georgia Southern, the former FCS school, came in and stood toe to toe and left with victory.
The Frost Era has been one big disappointment after another, one shock after the next. There’s no reason to rank this one. It joined the others, an inexplicable game the way Georgia Southern had its way with Nebraska, just another inexplicable game in an inexplicable five years.
In his post-game, Frost talked about how much he appreciated being the coach at Nebraska. This one felt like the end, and now it’s just a question of when, not if.
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Photos: Nebraska takes on Georgia Southern
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost runs off the field following the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Timmy Bleekrode (38) walks off the field after missing a last second field goal attempt in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (0) reacts after missing a potential interception in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska fans watch the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White (25) is brought down by the Nebraska defense in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and his team huddle together during a break in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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A Nebraska fans crosses her eyes in the final seconds of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) passes the ball in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (83) and Thomas Fidone II (24) each a replay in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Timmy Bleekrode (38) kicks an extra point in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) puts his head on the field in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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The Georgia Southern bald eagle mascot, named Freedom, stretches his wings following the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost answers questions from the media following the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) speaks to the media following the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday. Georgia Southern won the game 45-42.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson scores on a two-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton catches a 10-yard pass on front of Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White catches a 14-yard pass as Garrett Nelson defends at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer can’t catch up to this second quarter pass as he races Georgia Southern’s NaJee Thompson at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraskan’s Oliver Martin catches a 26-yard pass in the second quarter in front of Georgia Southern’s Seth Robertson at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Brody Belt catches a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to tie the game at 14 against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White scores a first quarter touchdown against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford tackles Georgia Southern’s Amare Jones in the first half at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple, left, and ?Head Coach Scott Frost talk in the first half against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson looks for an open receiver before being sacked by Georgia Southern’s Anthony Wilson, right, in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White scores his team’s second touchdown o na 26-yard run in the first quarter against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost talks with an official in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Kyle Vantrease (6) passes the ball in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Sam Kenerson (0) is carted off the field after an injury in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost crouches on the sideline during the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Gerald Green (4) rushes in for a touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (28) gets his arms around Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton (1) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Colton Feist (82) deflects a pass by Georgia Southern’s Kyle Vantrease (6) while being blocked by Georgia Southern’s Khalil Crowder (72) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) runs in for a touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (1) makes a catch fo an interception in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) can’t prevent Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton (1) from making a catch in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Gerald Green (4) rushes in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill reacts to be called for pass interference in the first quarter against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Brian Buschini punts for 55 yards in the first quarter against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome reacts to be called for pass interference on a pass thrown to Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White runs in for a touchdown during their game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill reacts after Georgia Southern scored a touchdown during their game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Derwin Burgess Jr. makes a catch ahead of Nebraska’s Tommi Hill during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson is greeted by Chancellor Brewington after scoring a first quarter touchdown against Georgia Southern during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson runs against Georgia Southern during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White celebrates a first quarter touchdown against Nebraska during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Scott Frost looks on during the first quarter against Georgia Southern during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska’s Alante Brown is upended by Georgia Southern’s Derrick Canteen during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.
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Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton winces on the field after getting hurt making a catch late int he second quarter against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Jaeden Gould (8) brings down brings down Derwin Burgess Jr. (2) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Amare Jones (5) is brought down by Nebraska’s Luke Reimer (28) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) rushes in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) rushes in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) celebrates a touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches a replay in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (0) gets a hand on Georgia Southern’s Derwin Burgess Jr. (2) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Jalen White (25) celebrates a touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Ron Brown, a Nebraska senior offensive analyst, watches a replay in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Marcus Washington (7) runs with the ball in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple watches his team from the sideline in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant (10) rushes in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Quinton Newsome (6) brings down Georgia Southern’s Jeremy Singleton (1) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans cheer during the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (0) walks off the field after a Georgia Southern touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans watch the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans celebrate a touchdown by Nebraska’s Brody Belt (32) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Marques Buford Jr. (1) celebrates an interception with teammates in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Anthony Wilson (12) celebrates a play in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Gerald Green (4) rushes in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Jaeden Gould (8), Ernest Hausmann (15) and Caleb Tannor (2) watch a replay in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Gerald Green (4) rushes in for a touchdown in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (82) high-fives teammates during the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (3) makes a catch ahead of Georgia Southern’s Wylan Free (5) in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska defensive line/edge coach Mike Dawson talks with players during a break in the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple walks off the field following the first half of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska takes the field for the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Omar Manning (5) warms up ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska takes the field for warm ups ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Fans take a photo ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (83) isn’t suited up ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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The Nebraska marching band takes the field ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Fans wait for the Huskers ahead of the Georgia Southern vs. Nebraska football game in Lincoln on Saturday.
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Former Nebraska players Toniu Fonoti, left, and Prince Amukamara speak before being introduced as a 2022 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame member before the game against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Prince Amukamara throws the bones while being introduced as a 2022 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame member before the game against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Former Nebraska players Toniu Fonoti, left, shakes hands with Athletic Director Trev Alberts after introduced as a 2022 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame member before the game against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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A fan waits near the Husker Legacy Statue before the game against Georgia Southern outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Austin Brown (right) and Oliver Linn play football before the game against Georgia Southern outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Ryker Williams high-fives players as they participate in the Unity Walk before the game against Georgia Southern outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Students line up before the game against Georgia Southern outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Season ticket holders Laura Buchman, left, and her husband Ed Duncklee wait on the start of the Nebraska and Georgia Southern outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Season-ticket holder Laura Buchman shows off her Nebraska hat that she got in 1972, before the Nebraska and Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Fans make their way to Memorial Stadium before the Nebraska and Georgia Southern at on Saturday.
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Fans make their way to Memorial Stadium before the Nebraska and Georgia Southern at on Saturday.
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The Cornhusker Marching Band makes their way to Memorial Stadium before the Nebraska and Georgia Southern game on Saturday.
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Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost acknowledges fans during the Unity Walk before their game against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans react to losing to Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans react after Nebraska loses to Georgia Southern 45-42 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Timmy Bleekrode misses a 52-yard field goal attempt with one second left as Georgia Southern defeats Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost kicks around the turf in the fourth quarter against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Casey Thompson runs off the field after losing to Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Myles Farmer and Garrett Nelson share a moment after almost intercepting a pass against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Myles Farmer misses a tackle on Georgia Southern’s Gerald Green in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Anthony Grant runs for 14 yards in the third quarter as Georgia Southern’s Robert Edwards III tackles him at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Georgia Southern’s Kyle Vantrease throws to Khaleb Hood for an 11-yard pass in the fourth quarter against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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Nebraska’s Teddy Prochazka gets looked at by trainers after getting hurt against Georgia Southern at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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