WATCH: Nebraska makes quarterback change following heated sideline exchange toward Casey Thompson

Things keep going from bad to worse for the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the season and Saturday against the Indiana Hoosiers.

After taking a sack on third down, Nebraska’s offensive coordinator Mark Whipple gave his starting quarterback Casey Thompson an earful and proceeded to bench him as a result of his actions. Unfortunately, Whipple’s actions proved to be more damning for the Cornhuskers. Backed up deep on their side of the field, he elected to put in backup quarterback Chubba Purdy.

Below is the exchange between Thompson and Whipple.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple rips Casey Thompson after taking a sack on 3rd down#Huskers @1011_News pic.twitter.com/Cf5UPMOc9z

— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) October 2, 2022

The Indiana defense took full advantage of the inexperienced backup blitzing him in his own end zone and sacking him on the play. Purdy would end up fumbling the ball in their endzone, being recovered by the same player who sacked him, defensive end Myles Jackson.

The game is now tied 7-7 early in the second quarter. Thompson has since come back onto the field to lead the Cornhuskers’ offense.

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The offensive line became a story in the first half for Nebraska

Nebraska’s offensive line found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons Saturday.

It began on the second drive of game when a free rusher got his shot at Thompson and forced an intentional grounding. Anthony Grant was buried in the backfield on the next play and the Huskers had to punt.

Purdy was gobbled up in the endzone and coughed up the football for a score two drives later.

Hunter Anthony replaced Bryce Benhart at right tackle partway through the second quarter. Yet that wasn’t the only change the Huskers would see in the opening half. On Nebraska’s final true drive of the first half, left tackle Turner Corcoran earned back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and was disqualified.

There was certainly improvement in the second portion of the contest. For example, Nebraska allowed four sacks for 48 yards in the first half and didn’t allow a sack in the second half. There was the occasional quarterback hit like the nasty one Thompson took at halfway through the third quarter, but overall the Huskers upped their game.

This unit is far from out of the woods and needs to find a way to stay out of the headlines in future weeks. That’s especially true when it comes to self-inflicted wounds.