Overtime nightmare

It’s a fact so statistically impossible you have to read this to even believe it. And even then it’s hard to fathom.
With Nebraska’s questionable overtime loss to Wisconsin Saturday night, the Huskers have lost seven straight overtime games without scoring a single point. In fact, in those seven games, the Huskers have nine total yards in overtime, no touchdowns or field goals and four interceptions. 
Nebraska has not won an overtime game since defeating Iowa 37-34 in Iowa City in 2014. You may recall that game where Tommy Armstrong hit Kenny Bell twice, including the game-winning TD pass at the back pylon.
Yeah, it was that long ago.
It was also the game where Bo Pelini was fired just a couple days after that overtime victory. 
Curse? Add it to the list.
Since that Iowa game in 2014, not only has Nebraska lost each overtime contest it found itself in, the Big Red hasn’t even scored. 
Not even a field goal.
In 2015, Nebraska lost a 36-33 game at Miami after a huge comeback attempt. The Huskers came back from down 23 to tie the game with some masterful heroics from Armstrong.
However, with the ball in OT, Armstrong threw an interception before Miami kicked an easy field goal to win it.
In 2016, Nebraska was 7-0 when it traveled to Madison for a huge showdown with Wisconsin.
Yours truly felt the need to be there that night, watching helplessly from the opposite end zone as the Huskers overcame a 10-point deficit following that ugly ‘Jump Around’ song.
I had never previously been in person at an overtime game, turned to my friend and asked, “have you ever seen OT in person?”
He nodded, but it wasn’t a good nod. I should have known right there that the Huskers would blow it, despite Wisconsin missing the extra point after a TD. 
The officials missed a horrific flag on Nebraska’s 3rd and 8 play and Stanley Morgan couldn’t be the hero on fourth down. Pain. Misery. Big Red.
In 2017, Northwestern got its chance to laugh at Nebraska in overtime, coming up with a Tanner Lee interception to seal the game. 
Coach Scott Frost’s first overtime game didn’t go much better as Northwestern got another chuckle in 2018. Nebraska led by 10 in the fourth quarter before choking that away and failing to score in overtime as Northwestern snagged an Adrian Martinez INT and kicked the field goal.
Then the disaster against Colorado at home in 2019 where the Huskers allowed 31 points late as the Buffs won, 34-31. Martinez was sacked on third down and Nebraska tried to tie the game with a field goal, but was short and right.
Nebraska did not play an overtime game in 2020, but choked a 23-20 game at Michigan State in 2021. That was the game where Nebraska’s defense dominated, but Michigan State scored on a punt return to force OT. Martinez threw an INT in overtime before a Spartan field goal.
We all saw what happened Saturday. Played not to lose. Fastest way to lose. When will it end? Just beat Iowa, preferably in 60 minutes. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.