The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been chasing the ghosts of their glorious past for more than two decades. On Saturday, the challenge ahead became painfully clear. In a 49-14 loss to No. 6 Oklahoma, Nebraska not only fell to 1-3 under interim head coach Mickey Joseph, but also exposed the depth of the despair that has haunted the program for years.
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a statement—one that highlighted how far Nebraska has fallen and how much work remains if the Cornhuskers are to regain their swagger.
A Fan’s Harsh Reality
For longtime fans, the game was another gut punch in a series that has lasted nearly 25 years. Sean Taylor, a 45-year-old Cornhuskers loyalist from Omaha, summed up the frustration as he left Memorial Stadium.
“This is our penance, and we’re OK with it,” Taylor said.
He blamed Nebraska’s downfall on firing two nine-win coaches, a decision he believes cursed the program. While his details were slightly off—Scott Frost was the only coach since Tom Osborne not to hit that nine-win mark—the sentiment reflected the deep scars in the fan base.
For Taylor and thousands of others, Nebraska’s glory days feel like a lifetime ago.
Mickey Joseph’s Tough Debut
The matchup against Oklahoma was supposed to mark the start of a new era. Mickey Joseph, a beloved former Husker quarterback, took over as interim coach after Frost’s firing. But in his first game, the team collapsed.
Nebraska scored first, leading 7-0 on scripted plays, but then surrendered 49 unanswered points. Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel ran circles around the defense, including a backbreaking 61-yard touchdown scramble. Transfer running back Eric Gray added 113 yards and two scores.
Nebraska’s defense looked lost. At one point, nine of 10 offensive plays resulted in no gain or a loss.
Afterward, Joseph didn’t sugarcoat the failure.
“This one is on me. Not my players, not my assistant coaches. I’ve got to do a better job,” he said.
It was the kind of accountability Husker fans appreciated—but also a reminder of just how steep the climb ahead will be.
Nebraska vs Oklahoma 2022: Key Highlights
| Category | Nebraska Cornhuskers | Oklahoma Sooners |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 14 | 49 |
| Head Coach | Mickey Joseph (Interim) | Brent Venables |
| Quarterback Performance | Casey Thompson: 14/20, 129 yds, 1 TD | Dillon Gabriel: 16/27, 230 yds, 2 TDs |
| Rushing Leaders | Anthony Grant: 36 yds | Eric Gray: 113 yds, 2 TDs |
| Total Offensive Plays | 62 | 84 |
| Time of Possession | 24 minutes | 36 minutes |
| Defensive Note | Lost Blackshirts honor | Aggressive pass rush, 4 sacks |
| Fan Reaction | Stadium half-empty by halftime | Student section chanting “Urban Meyer” |
A Once-Proud Rivalry, Now One-Sided
This loss stung even more because of the opponent. Nebraska and Oklahoma’s rivalry defined college football for decades, with unforgettable battles in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. Just last year, Nebraska pushed the Sooners to the wire, losing 23-16.
This time, there was no fight. Oklahoma ran 84 plays, averaging a snap every 21 seconds, as Nebraska’s defense crumbled. First-year Sooners head coach Brent Venables imposed his defensive identity, while the Huskers looked overwhelmed and unprepared.
The difference between the programs was stark. Oklahoma is reloading; Nebraska is still searching for rock bottom.
The Blackshirts Tradition Put on Hold
One of Nebraska’s proudest traditions—the Blackshirts, awarded to standout defensive players—was put on pause after the loss. Joseph stripped the title, insisting the defense start fresh and earn it back.
The move was symbolic. The Blackshirts identity, forged in the 1960s, was once synonymous with toughness and dominance. Against Oklahoma, Nebraska’s defense looked like a shadow of its former self.
Until the Huskers regain their edge, the black jerseys will stay on the shelf.
Fans Still Hopeful, but Hurting
By halftime, large sections of the 87,000-seat Memorial Stadium had emptied. Even the exclusive Champions Club across the street couldn’t give away passes. The despair is real, but so is the loyalty.
Taylor and other fans remember when Nebraska dominated by building teams around homegrown linemen and national recruits.
“We used to get five fat kids from Aurora, Nebraska. We’d get three kids from California, three from Florida, five from Texas. Then we’d run behind those giant kids and have speed coming out of our ass,” Taylor recalled.
That formula seems light-years away, but the passion hasn’t faded. Fans still believe Nebraska will find its way back.
The Road Ahead
Mickey Joseph now faces eight more games to prove he deserves the permanent job. At 1-3, even a bowl game feels unlikely, but Joseph insists he’ll fight for this team.
The Huskers’ problems aren’t just about talent. It’s about identity. As Taylor put it:
“They don’t have the swagger. These kids should be the ones whose confidence enters the room 10 feet before they do. That’s the attitude Mickey will give them. Right now, they’re just beat up.”
Nebraska football once defined swagger in the Midwest. Now, it’s a rebuilding project of historic proportions.
Conclusion: Hope, But a Long Way to Go
Saturday’s loss wasn’t just another defeat—it was a mirror. It showed Nebraska exactly where it stands: far from elite, still searching for answers, but unwilling to give up.
For the fans, hope remains. It’s what keeps them coming back, even after heartbreak. As Taylor said:
“There’s always hope. It’s the hope that hurts.”
That’s Nebraska football in 2022—hurting, hoping, and waiting for the day when the swagger finally returns.
