Nebraska takes first loss of the season to No. 21 Michigan
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska took its first loss of the season Saturday, losing to No. 21 Michigan 30-27 at Memorial Stadium.
The story of the game came from the trenches, as Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was sacked seven times, and the Wolverines ran the ball for 286 yards.
Nebraska lost its Big Ten opener for the sixth straight season and fell to 6-9 in Big Ten openers since joining the conference.
As a team, Nebraska totaled 351 yards with only 43 yards on the ground.
The Huskers controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for 33:17 compared to Michigan’s 26:43.
Raiola finished the game with an efficient stat line, going 30-for-41 for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw his first interception of the season in the first half.
It marks the first time a quarterback had a 300-yard passing game against Michigan since Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell in 2022.
He is the first Husker to have multiple TD passes in four straight games since Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for multiple touchdowns in the first four games of the 2015 season.
Jacory Barney Jr. led the Huskers’ receiving core with six catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
That marks Barney’s second career 100-yard receiving game (132 vs. Akron, 2025). Barney has caught multiple passes in 16 straight games.
Barney also had three punt returns for 21 yards. He now has 111 punt return yards this season and is the first Husker to have 100 punt return yards in a season since JD Spielman in 2019.
Luke Lindenmeyer caught seven balls for 60 yards, which are both career-highs. Heinrich Haarberg had three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.
In the backfield, Emmett Johnson had 19 carries for 65 yards and Mekhi Nelson had three rushes for 19 yards.
Michigan’s Bryce Underwood went 12-for-22 for 105 yards. This is the first time this season the Nebraska defense has allowed a 100-yard passer.
Underwood also carried the ball eight times for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Justice Haynes led Michigan’s backfield with 149 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
Backup running back Jordan Marshall also had a big game, carrying the ball six times for 80 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nebraska gave up 391 yards, with 286 of those coming on the ground.
Nebraska struggled to get to the quarterback, only totaling one sack and one quarterback hurry.
Javin Wright led the Blackshirts with 10 total tackles. Vincent Shavers followed close behind with seven.
Nebraska will look to regroup during its first bye week of the season, but will be back in action on Oct. 4 against Michigan State.
Kick off time is to be determined at Memorial Stadium.
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FOURTH QUARTER
Kyle Cunanan hits a 38-yard field goal to cut into Michigan’s lead, 27-20 Wolverines.
Nebraska forces a three-and-out and gets the ball back on their own 30-yard line.
The Huskers go three-and-out and gives the ball back the Wolverines.
Michigan goes on an eight minute drive that ends in a field goal, giving the Wolverines a 30-20 lead with just over 3 minutes left in the game.
Nebraska responds with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown catch from Heinrich Haarberg, making the score 30-27 Michigan.
THIRD QUARTER
Michigan will start the second half with the ball.
Nebraska forced a punt and takes over from their own three-yard line.
The Huskers go three-and-out and get a 53-yard punt from Archie Wilson, giving Michigan the ball on their own 40-yard line.
A 56-yard field goal from Dominic Zavada gives Michigan a 20-17 lead with 7:43 left in the third quarter.
Nebraska is forced to punt, giving Michigan the ball at their own 38-yard line.
The Wolverines get another long touchdown run to extend their lead.
Marshall took it right up the middle for a 54-yard touchdown rush to give Michigan a 27-17 lead.
SECOND QUARTER
Nebraska is forced to punt, giving Michigan the ball at their own 37-yard line.
Turnover! Elijah Jeudy forces a fumble on Bryce Underwood and the Huskers take over from their own 48-yard line.
Nebraska finally gets on the board with a 39-yard field goal from Kyle Cunanan, making the score 10-3 Michigan.
Jacory Barney Jr. returns the punt 20-yards to set Nebraska up at their own 37-yard line.
Raiola finds Barney for a 26-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10 with two minutes left in the first half.
Michigan immediately answers, as running back Justice Haynes hits a 75-yard house call to give the Wolverines a 17-10 lead.
With one second left in the first half, Raiola threw a 52-yard Hail Mary to Barney, making the score 17-17 at halftime.
Raiola finished the first half completing 14 of his 20 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Barney leads the receiving core with four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Luke Lindenmeyer also has four catches for 40 yards.
On the ground, Emmett Johnson has 14 carries for 54 yards.
FIRST QUARTER
Michigan won the toss and deferred to the second half. Nebraska starts with the ball.
Nebraska’s drive stalled out inside the five-yard line, getting stuffed on fourth down. Michigan takes over.
The Huskers force a three-and-out and get the ball back with great field position.
Nebraska’s Kyle Cunanan misses a 44-yard field goal to keep the score tied at zero.
Michigan answers with a 46-yard field goal from Dominic Zavada to give the Wolverines a 3-0 lead.
Dylan Raiola throws his first interception of the season, giving Michigan the ball at Nebraska’s 37-yard line.
On the very next play, Bryce Underwood took the quarterback draw 37-yards for a touchdown, giving Michigan a 10-0 lead.
Nebraska has the ball to end the first quarter.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
The Wolverines are ranked No. 21 in the AP poll and No. 20 in the coaches poll.
Michigan will be guided by interim head coach Biff Poggi due to Sherrone Moore’s suspension.
SEE ALSO: ESPN: Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore suspended for game at Nebraska
The Wolverines’ lone loss came on the road at No. 11 Oklahoma.
Michigan averages 452 yards per game, with 209.3 yards per through the air.
Freshman standout quarterback Bryce Underwood has completed 46 of 80 passes for 628 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
He has also rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Donaven McCulley has a team-high 10 receptions for 158 yards, followed by Semaj Morgan with nine grabs for 121 yards and a score.
Michigan is one of the Big Ten’s top rushing teams, averaging 242.7 yards on the ground.
Justice Haynes leads the Michigan rushing attack with 49 carries for 388 yards and five touchdowns.
Jordan Marshall has 30 rushes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Wolverines are allowing 14.7 points and 271.3 yards per game.
Nebraska native and former Husker Ernest Hausmann leads the Michigan defense with 20 tackles.
Cole Sullivan and Jaishawn Barham lead the Wolverines’ defense with two sacks apiece.
The Wolverines are also stout against the run, allowing only 89 rushing yards a game.
THIS WEEK’S NUMBERS
2 – Nebraska is one of two teams in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both passing efficiency and pass efficiency defense. The Huskers are second in defensive pass efficiency and eighth in offensive pass efficiency. Indiana is the only other school to rank in the top 10 in both categories.
20 – Nebraska is the only team in the nation to not allow a pass play of at least 20 yards. James Madison has allowed one 20-yard pass play in just two games, while every other FBS team has allowed at least three pass plays of 20 yards or more.
900 – Nebraska and Michigan are two of eight schools that have won at least 900 games in program history. Michigan ranks first nationally with 1,014 wins, with Nebraska eighth at 927 all-time victories.
SCORE PREDICTIONS
Nate Johnson – Nebraska wins 24-20
Jake Homan – Nebraska wins 23-20
Mark Fischer – Nebraska wins 28-24
