Nebraska missed 3 field goals in the first half in West Lafayette, sending a team that had a significant yardage edge over Purdue to a scoreless tie after 30 minutes. Fans groaned on social media. Many questioned coach Matt Rhule’s decision to continue attempting kicks.

In the closing seconds of the first half, the Huskers trotted their field goal unit out for a 32-yard attempt on fourth-and-10 from the Purdue 14. John Hohl’s attempt was blocked — Purdue’s second of the first half.

Nebraska outgained Purdue 210-89 in the first half. The Boilermakers gained only 4 first downs and went 1-for-6 on third down.

But the Huskers stumbled their way through the first half all the same. Nebraska had 6 first-half possessions. All of them passed the Purdue 40-yard-line at one point or another.

None of them produced points.

Nebraska punted from the Purdue 39 on its opening possession. Nebraska missed a 42-yard field goal on its second possession. Nebraska punted from the Purdue 37 on its third possession. Those would seem to signal a complete lack of faith in the kicking game. Yet Rhule ran the field goal unit out twice more.

Nebraska also punted from the Purdue 43 on a drive that stalled out after a false start penalty turned a third-and-1 into a third-and-6.

With 3 first-half misses extended a streak of 4 straight failed field goal tries for Hohl dating back to the Illinois game. Nebraska also closed out that home defeat with back-to-back possessions that featured snaps inside the opposing 40 and failed to produce points.

Eight straight trips inside the opposing 40-yard-line. Zero points.

That’s painful to stomach.