Nebraska kept its hopes for a bowl game alive with a commanding 54-7 victory at Maryland on Saturday as the Cornhuskers snapped their four-game losing streak just in time.

Quarterback Adrian Martinez collected 298 yards in total offense and three touchdowns to set up Nebraska (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) with a home finale against Iowa and a chance to pick up that sixth win and bowl eligibility. Martinez was 16-for-25 passing for 194 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 94 yards and another score.

Nebraska led 34-0 at the half, as Maryland lost by four or more touchdowns for the third straight game.

The Terrapins (3-8, 1-7) were their own worst enemy as Nebraska scored 17 first-quarter points. A fumble on Maryland's second play set the Cornhuskers up at the 13-yard line and, two plays later, Dedrick Mills scored on a 6-yard run.

The Cornhuskers drove 77 yards the next time they had the ball, aided by a fourth-down, punt situation personal foul penalty on the Terrapins. Martinez cashed in from the 1 to make it 14-0 at 4:11. Then Maryland couldn't field a short kickoff and Nebraska's Colin Miller recovered at the 22. The Terrapins held the visitors to a 29-yard Matt Waldoch field goal but never threatened.

Nebraska struck again early in the second quarter as Martinez hit JD Spielman for a 25-yard score. Martinez found Spielman, who had seven catches for 104 yards, for another score from 16 yards just 3:54 before the half.

After a 4-2 start this season, Nebraska finally got back in the win column, managing 531 total yards and improving to 2-0 all-time against the Terrapins. Maryland used four quarterbacks, amassed just 206 yards total offense, had the ball only 20:02 and lost four fumbles. Javon Leake raced 58 yards for Maryland's touchdown with 3:13 left to play.

The Terrapins have now lost six consecutive games heading into the season finale next week at Michigan State. The Terrapins began the season 2-0 and were ranked in the Top 25.

--Field Level Media