Nebraska defense forces 3 turnovers, Vincent Genatone scores 2 TDs in road win over Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. (KLKN) – In its Big Ten opener, Nebraska played complimentary football to win 31-13 over Michigan State Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

The Huskers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) forced three turnovers and recorded six sacks, while running back Vincent Genatone set the tone by finding the end zone twice. Additionally, Nebraska held Michigan State (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten) to only 257 yards of offense.

After falling down 3-0 in the first, Nebraska responded with a 24-7 run. Big Red first found pay dirt on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Colandrea to Kwazi Gilmer, then followed that up with a Mekhi Nelson rushing score in the second.

Nebraska led 14-10 late in the second quarter, and with just only 10 seconds remaining in the frame, Colandrea found Genatone out of the backfield for a 13-yard score to give the Huskers an 11-point advantage at halftime.

Following a scoreless third for the Husker offense, they responded in the fourth, as Genatone then found pay dirt for the second time on a one-yard rush.

Owen Chambliss and Andrew Marshall each picked off Spartan quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, while Donovan Jones forced and recovered a fumble on a strip sack.

Colandrea finished 15-of-27 through the air for 212 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing yards with 66 yards. Nelson finished with 61 yards on the ground, but freshman running back Jamal Rule left the game due to injury in the first quarter.

Up next, Nebraska returns home to Lincoln Saturday, Oct. 3 when it hosts Maryland. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.