The tiniest but most feasible benefit of the doubt I can come up with is that Patrick O'Brien had moved the team into scoring position -- ultimately meaningless scoring position -- but there was a chance to reward the players and leave the field with at least a "going down swinging" attitude.
It required the six Nebraska offensive linemen to momentarily delay the three rushing Gophers long enough for POB to get off a pass.
They could not even do that.
For a game that started with the opponent returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown -- untouched -- ending the game with two time outs and two humiliating sacks was the perfect bookend for perhaps the worst Husker game in memory.