In one of the strangest games in recent Nebraska football memory, the Huskers found a way to hold off Michigan State, 38-27, in Saturday’s homecoming game at Memorial Stadium.
The Cornhuskers (4-1, 1-1) offense sputtered and coughed to just 158 yards of total offense through three quarters, including just 63 rushing yards, before finding their footing in the fourth quarter, with the 20 mile-per-hour south wind at their back. But the Blackshirts were equal to the task, holding the Spartans (3-2, 0-2) to just 240 yards of total offense and seven three-and-outs in MSU’s 13 drives.
It looked like it would be a fairly easy day in the office for Nebraska early. After Michigan State went three-and-out on the opening drive of the game, the Huskers marched down the field on nine plays, capping a 48-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run by Emmett Johnson. The Spartans were three-and-out on their next possession, and Jamir Conn shot through to block a punt, which Carter Nelson picked up and ran in from three yards for a touchdown to make it 14-0. But that would be the last time Nebraska touched the ball in the first quarter, as Michigan State minced its way down the field. Aided by a pair of NU defensive penalties to keep the drive alive, the Spartans finally pushed into the end zone, as MSU backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic found Jack Velling for a two-yard touchdown pass. The score stayed 14-7 for the remained of the second quarter.
On their first drive after halftime, the Huskers turned the ball over on downs at their 48. Michigan State marched down the field, 11 plays, 48 yards, chewing up seven minutes before Aidan Chiles ran in from 16 yards out to tie the game. On the ensuing drive, Dylan Raiola was intercepted by Jordan Hall, giving the Spartans the ball at the NU 38. Again, MSU marched in for a touchdown, with Chiles running it in from four yards out to give the Spartans their first lead of the game, 21-14.
After Nebraska had been stuck in the mud offensively in the third quarter, the Huskers got it going, with Raiola finding Jacory Barney, Jr., for a 45-yard completion to the to the MSU 30. Two plays later, Johnson bolted in from 23 yards out to tie the game at 21. The wind knocked down the ensuing kickoff, resulting in a Michigan State fumble recovered by Mehki Nelson at the MSU 28. After Raiola was sacked on first down, he found Nyziah Hunter on second down to gain 12 yards and move the ball to the 22. On third down and the first play of the fourth quarter, Raiola hit Johnson for a five-yard gain and a first down, which was enhanced by a horse-collar penalty to move the ball to the seven. But three Raiola passes fell incomplete, and NU had to settle for a Kyle Cunanan 27-yard field goal to take a 24-21 lead with 13:32 to go in regulation.
After the teams traded punts, Nebraska forced another MSU three-and-out, taking over at their 41. Raiola found Hunter for a 59-yard touchdown pass, giving Nebraska a 31-21 lead with 6:45 to go. On the ensuing drive, the Blackshirts’ pass rush got back to Aidan Chiles, sacking him twice for a total loss of 22 yards, including Cameron Lenhardt’s fourth-down sack to give the ball to Nebraska at the MSU 17. Two Johnson runs led to a touchdown to build the Huskers’ lead to 38-21 with 4:27 to go. Michigan State drove for a touchdown to cut the lead to 38-27, but Nebraska recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to clinch the win.
Raiola finished 16-for-24 for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Johnson had 13 carries for 83 yards and three touchdowns. He also led NU with six catches for 37 yards. Hunter had four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Javin Wright paced the defense, with 10 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss. Singleton had two interceptions. Chiles ended the game 9-for-23 for 85 yards. The Huskers sacked him five times.
Nebraska now prepares to hit the road for its first true road game of the season at Maryland Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. on KLIN and Froggy 98.