Similarly, harsh truths about the Huskers’ habitual, long-term woes can’t be ignored just because a new coach got a bunch of players to believe in his system. The latest defeat extended Nebraska’s losing streak against Wisconsin to 10 games and its run of consecutive scoreless performances in overtime to seven.

“Angry, sad, disappointed—any other words you can think of,” safety Marques Buford said. “We worked so hard. They got the upper hand on us tonight.”

We do need to talk, however, about Nebraska’s game management at the end of regulation. For a second consecutive week, there was Chubba Purdy at quarterback, leading a drive in the final minutes with a chance to direct the Huskers to a win.

But that’s about where the similarities end between the late moments in games 10 and 11 for Nebraska. Let’s refresh.

A week before the Huskers visited Madison, Purdy took the field at Memorial Stadium in the fourth quarter against Maryland, his first opportunity this year to play in a meaningful spot. Having dealt with a groin injury all season, the sophomore QB ran the scout-team offense for much of that week in practice.

The Huskers had thrown three interceptions and lost a fumble in the game. But Purdy responded surprisingly well. He moved the team 92 yards to the Maryland 5.

The game was tied at 10. A field goal could win it. Purdy had thrown one pass, a completion on that drive, before offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, with coach Matt Rhule’s backing, took a shot at the end zone on third-and-goal from the 7. Purdy was intercepted. The Terps took over and marched for the winning field goal.

Juxtapose that with Saturday night against the Badgers. Purdy led the Huskers from their 20 to the Wisconsin 26. Nebraska trailed 17-14. A field goal could only force overtime, a dicey proposition, especially on the road—and even more dicey at this venue. A touchdown could win it.