Doc's Diagnosis: A Fake Punt Done Right

Nebraska kept a first-quarter possession alive with a bit of well-conceived and well-executed trickery against Maryland

Facing fourth-and-5 at their own 38 yard line, the Huskers took advantage of Maryland's tendencies and pulled off a successful fake punt Saturday. The snap went to Nate Boerkircher instead of the punter, and Boerkircher had clear sailing as he angled left for an 11-yard gain. In this edition of Doc's Diagnosis, Dr. Rob Zatechka analyzes the play and explains why it worked so well.

Doc’s Diagnosis: Maryland’s Final Interception

Nebraska-Maryland gallery

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Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson carries the ball during the second quarter.

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Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa looks to pass against the Nebraska defense during the first quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg runs against Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt during the second quarter.

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Maryland defensive back Dante Trader Jr. runs after intercepting a Heinrich Haarberg pass during the first quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg passes during the first quarter.

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Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher celebrates after a first down on a fake punt against Maryland during the first quarter.

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Maryland wide receiver Shaleak Knotts runs against Nebraska during the second quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims looks back after running for a first down during the second quarter.

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Maryland running back Roman Hemby runs against Nebraska's Mikai Gbayor and John Bullock during the second quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims looks to pass against Maryland linebacker Kellan Wyatt during the second quarter.

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Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton catches a pass for a long gain against Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog during the second quarter.

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Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton scores a touchdown against the Nebraska defense during the second quarter.

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Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV is brought down by Maryland defensive back Beau Brade during the second quarter.

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Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa passes during the second quarter.

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A Nebraska fan yells during a break before the fourth quarter.

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Janiran Bonner scores Nebraska's only touchdown on a third-quarter run.

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Maryland running back Antwain Littleton II is stopped short of a first down on a fourth-down play by Nash Hutmacher (0), Javin Wright (33), and Tommi Hill (31) during the third quarter. 

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Nebraska defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher celebrates after getting a stop on fourth down during the third quarter.

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Nebraska's Jeff Sims passes during the third quarter.

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 Taulia Tagovailoa passes during the third quarter for Maryland. 

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Nebraska's Jeff Sims runs the ball during the third quarter.

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Nebraska's Ty Robinson (9), linebacker Luke Reimer (4), and defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) celebrate after recovering a fumble during fourth quarter 

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Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy picks up yardage on a fourth-quarter run.

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Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still runs upfield after intercepting Chubba Purdy's pass during the fourth quarter.

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Jack Howes celebrates with his Maryland teammates after making the winning field goal.

Amarillo Mullen

Head coach Matt Rhule chats with quarterback Heinrich Haarberg prior to a play. 

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Omar Brown and Marques Buford Jr celebrate a defensive stop in the first quarter. 

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John Bullock (5) and Mikai Gbayor tackle Maryland's Roman Hemby. 

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Quarterback Jeff Sims fakes a handoff to running back Emmett Johnson. 

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Head coach Matt Rhule argues a pass interference that was not called. 

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Marques Burford Jr (24) and Tommi Hill (31) break up Taulia Tagovailo's Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half. 

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Jeff Sims (7) prepares for a pass. 

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Ty Robinson (9) celebrates a Husker fumble recovery. 

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Luke Lindenmeyer shouts after Nebraska recovers Maryland's fumble. 

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Taulia Tagovailoa slips out of a Ty Robinson tackle. 

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Jeff Sims throws toward Thomas Fidone II in the third quarter. 

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Nebraska's Malcom Hartzog pushes Antwain Littleton II out of bounds. 

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Jimari Butler gets Taulia Tagovailoa to run out of bounds. 

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Nash Hutmacher and Marques Buford Jr celebrate a stop on 4th and 1. 

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Ty Robinson celebrates Nebraska's second fumble recovery of the game. 

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Chubba Purdy stiff-arms a Maryland defender on a run. 

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Chubba Purdy was the third and final quarterback to see playing time for the Huskers. 

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Former Husker Sgt. Chris Long leads the team out of the tunnel before the game.

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska tight end Nate Boerkircher rushes for an 11-yard gain on a fake punt during the first quarter of Saturday's game.

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock catches a pass for a short gain during the second quarter.

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Nebraska running back Anthony Grant picks up 9 yards on a third-quarter carry.

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Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg hands off to running back Emmett Johnson during the first quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims runs for an 11-yard gain during the third quarter.

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Herbie Husker rides a tractor shooting T-shirts into the stands between the first and second quarters.

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Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson picks up short yardage during the second quarter

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Emmett Johnson takes off on a 29-yard run during the fourth quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy is tackled after an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.

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Nebraska quaretrback Chubba Purdy reacts after his 11-yard gain.

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Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule shouts at an official during the fourth quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims runs for 11 yards during the third quarter. 

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The Huskers get ready to snap the ball against the Maryland defense.

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Nebraska's Janiran Bonner scores on a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter/

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Nebraska defensive back Omar Brown prepares to bring down Maryland's Jeshaun Jones in the first quarter

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Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims drops back to pass.

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Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor and defensive back Marques Buford Jr. bring down Maryland's Roman Hemby in the first quarter.

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska wide receiver Alex Bullock can't quite come up with the catch on a pass from quarterback Heinrich Haarberg during the first quarter.

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone turns upfield after catching a pass from quarterback Jeff Sims in the third quarter.

Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs for a short third-quarter gain.

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Nebraska wide receiver Billy Kemp IV prepares to catch a pass from quarterback Jeff Sims during the second quarter.

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Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy scrambles for a 9-yard gain during the fourth quarter