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Nebraska Secures First Big Ten Win with Hard-Fought 38-27 Michigan State Football Score Lincoln, Nebraska The Nebraska Cornhuskers secured their first victory in the Big Ten Conference for the 2025 season on Saturday, defeating the Michigan State Spartans 38-27 in a turbulent contest at Memorial Stadium. The win, which moves the Huskers to a 4-1 overall record (1-1 B1G), was characterised by dramatic shifts in momentum, culminating in a powerful fourth-quarter display from the home side. Nebraska trailed midway through the second half before scoring 24 unanswered points to overcome the Spartans, a result that provides crucial momentum for the program under coach Matt Rhule. Despite the decisive final nebraska-football-score, analysts noted that underlying offensive concerns were highlighted throughout the highly contested match, which was played in warm, gusty conditions. The game began brightly for the Cornhuskers, who capitalised on special teams play to take an early 14-0 lead. A blocked punt was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Carter Nelson, providing an immediate injection of energy into the atmosphere at a sold-out Memorial Stadium. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the first half concluded and the third quarter began. Michigan State, demonstrating resilience, mounted a sustained offensive attack, tying the game at 14-all and then taking a 21-14 advantage following a turnover by Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. For a period, the Nebraska offence struggled markedly, recording only 77 total yards across their first seven possessions and failing to establish a consistent running game against the Spartan defence. This downturn resurrected historical concerns among the Nebraska fanbase regarding the team’s ability to execute consistently in high-pressure conference fixtures.
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The turning point arrived in the late stages of the third quarter and carried into the decisive fourth. Running back Emmett Johnson proved instrumental in shifting the impetus, scoring his second of three touchdowns from 23 yards out to tie the game at 21-21. The lead was secured early in the final quarter when kicker Kyle Cunanan successfully converted a 27-yard field goal, pushing the score to 24-21. The subsequent play, which cemented the victory, became a moment of local folklore. Following a Spartans three-and-out, receiver Nyziah Hunter caught a screen pass and ran most of the 59 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Remarkably, Hunter lost his shoe in the congestion at the line of scrimmage but continued down the sideline with only a red sock on his left foot, extending the lead to 31-21. Johnson later added his third rushing touchdown to complete the 24-point run, putting the score beyond Michigan State’s reach. While the final result was a positive step, the statistical breakdown revealed continued areas of focus for the Cornhuskers coaching staff. Nebraska finished the match with only 261 total yards of offence, narrowly edging Michigan State’s 240, demonstrating the overall defensive nature of the contest. The primary concern remains the offensive line’s ability to protect the quarterback.
Raiola, the team’s sophomore signal-caller, was sacked five times, following a recent game where he absorbed seven sacks. This consistent pressure has become a defining issue for the Nebraska attack, hindering their ability to convert sustained drives into touchdowns, a weakness noted by coach Rhule previously. Furthermore, Michigan State’s success on fourth down, converting four of five attempts, suggests the ‘Blackshirts’ defence was occasionally vulnerable in critical situations. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule acknowledged the difficult nature of the victory, stating that while he appreciated the result, the performance was imperfect. “We were able to win the game in the fourth and scored 38 points,” Coach Rhule said following the match. “Not the cleanest game we've ever had, so we'll try to get better. I think they're all going to be like that in the Big Ten. ” Conversely, Spartans coach Jonathan Smith gave credit to the opponent’s final-quarter execution. “They played better than us, especially in the fourth quarter,” Smith told the press. “They earned the win.
We've got to find a way to play better for four quarters. ” A sports analyst for a major US network, speaking anonymously, suggested the result reflected the program's development: “Nebraska is finally proving they can win the ugly, conference-style football games that defined their struggles in past years. This demonstrates mental fortitude, even if the execution was lacking. ” The victory over Michigan State is significant for the Cornhuskers as they move into the heart of their conference schedule with a 4-1 standing. The 2025 season has been marked by high expectations following a bowl victory last year, and maintaining a positive record is crucial for the program's perceived progress under Rhule. The team now faces its first true road test of the season this weekend as they travel to College Park to face the Maryland Terrapins (4-1). With the offensive line challenges still evident, the ability to replicate this fourth-quarter grit away from the supportive environment of Memorial Stadium will be the defining factor in determining whether this Nebraska side can exceed its projected win total and achieve a major breakthrough this year. The focus now shifts from the emotional victory to the need for greater consistency and tactical discipline in the weeks ahead.
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