Nebraska football overcomes offensive struggles to beat Michigan State

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska football’s dominant second half led to a comeback victory over Michigan State on Saturday.

On the Huskers’ first drive of the game, Emmett Johnson secured the first six points with a 2-yard run into the endzone.

Michigan State was stifled on the next drive, and Nebraska’s Jamir Conn blocked the punt, leading to another touchdown for the Huskers.

The Blackshirts kept the Spartans scoreless in the first quarter.

Spartans QB Aidan Chiles was temporarily taken out at the start of the second half. But backup QB Alessio Milivojevic finished the drive out with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jack Velling.

After a handful of scoreless drives, Jacory Barney Jr. helped put the Huskers on Michigan State’s 26-yard line with a 57-yard punt return.

But after three consecutive sacks, along with a false start penalty, Nebraska was unable to capitalize on Barney’s punt return.

On the next drive, Chiles air-mailed the ball over his receiver and DeShon Singleton secured the interception.

Once again, Nebraska failed to score a touchdown after getting the ball in Michigan State’s territory. The Huskers went for it on fourth down, and QB Dylan Raiola was sacked.

Nebraska’s defense stayed productive in the second half, as Singleton stole another pass from Chiles with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter.

Shortly after, punter Archie Wilson came out for one final kick of the half.

Nebraska is leading by a touchdown at halftime. But the Huskers have only 54 total yards of offense.

Thanks to Singleton’s two interceptions, Michigan State’s offense stayed quiet for the first half.  The Spartans have just 84 total yards of offense at halftime.

To start the third quarter, Nebraska went for it on fourth down but was unsuccessful in converting.

Michigan State turned that failed fourth-down conversion into a drive that ended with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Chiles, tying the game up.

In response to the Spartans’ touchdown, Raiola threw an interception to Jordan Hall on the first play of the drive.

Chiles’ and company capitalized on the next drive with another touchdown, taking the lead for the first time in the game.

Nebraska tied the game up on the next drive with a 23-yard touchdown run from Emmett Johnson.

The Huskers’ special teams unit then recovered the ball after kick returner Sam Edwards fumbled near the end of the third quarter.

Nebraska converted that turnover into three points, with a 27-yard field goal from Kyle Cunanan.  The Huskers regain possession of the lead, 24-21.

Wide receiver Nyziah Hunter extended the lead to 10 points with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Raiola.

After the Blackshirts sacked Chiles on fourth down, Johnson added more points on the board with an 11-yard touchdown.

With Chiles out of the game, Milivojevic led the Spartans to another touchdown in the closing minutes of the final quarter.

The Huskers win the game, 38-27.

After a sluggish first half, Nebraska finished with 261 total yards of offense.  Raiola completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Johnson led the Huskers with 13 carries for 83 yards and three touchdowns.