Tyrod Taylor scrambled, seeking somebody, anybody who might catch his final pass and save his dreadful day.

It was third-and-goal, less than 30 ticks remained and the walls of defeat were closing in on Taylor and Tech.

Before him, 2 yards away, stood unblocked one of college football's dominant defenders, a 300-pound force who controlled the line of scrimmage all afternoon.

Ndamukong Suh had a choice at that moment: He could charge Taylor and make the quarterback elude him. Or he could contain and react to Taylor's move.

Suh chose poorly.

He hesitated. He shuffled his feet. He let his chance go by.

By the time he finally laid a hand on Taylor in the backfield, Dyrell Roberts had broken free in the end zone.

Suh's mistake was small in the grand scheme, but it illustrates what has plagued Nebraska in big games since 2001. Time after time at a crucial moment, a prominent Husker has had a maddening lapse in judgment.

Jammal Lord throws an interception in the end zone against Texas with 10 seconds left in 2002.

Le Kevin Smith picks off a pass, then fumbles the ball, setting the stage for Texas Tech's game-winning score in 2005.

Terrence Nunn fumbles an upset-clinching third-down reception against Texas in 2006.

Suh is charged with a late hit on third down in the final minutes against Virginia Tech in 2008.

Joe Ganz, two weeks later, throws an interception in overtime at Texas Tech.

Call Saturday's loss hard luck if you like. Aside from the first few minutes and last few minutes, Nebraska throttled Tech in its stadium.

But NU demonstrated again that it doesn't have either the leadership, the confidence or the will to put good teams away.

Will fortunes change? Eventually, sure. Maybe sooner than later. But they should've changed Saturday. And would have if:

• Ricky Henry doesn't tackle a pass rusher on Mike McNeill's touchdown catch on first-and-goal.

• Menelik Holt holds on to the ball when he hits the ground on a sure TD reception moments later.

• Zac Lee throws a good ball to Curenski Gilleylen after scrambling outside the pocket midway through the fourth quarter. Gilleylen may have scored if Lee puts the ball on the numbers.

• Matt O'Hanlon drops deeper into coverage on the Hokies' 81-yard bomb.

For all that Nebraska has accomplished since 1962, it is not without eyesores. Tom Osborne's struggles against Oklahoma and his slump of seven straight bowl losses stand out. So do the defensive meltdowns under Bill Callahan and Kevin Cosgrove.

But moving fast up the list is the current streak of 21 losses against teams ranked 19 or higher.

Remember, this was the same program that won 15 straight against top-16 teams from 1994 to '98.

Not sure which streak is more remarkable.

In hindsight...

Looking back, O'Hanlon would've been much better off letting Danny Coale score rather than knocking him out of bounds at the NU 3. Nebraska would've gotten the ball back with more than one minute left. With Alex Henery's clutch leg, you'd like your chances.

Contact the writer:

679-9899, dirk.chatelain@owh.com

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