Live Game Thread: Michigan State at Nebraska
In this story:
Michigan State is headed into another road test momentarily, as the Spartans head into Lincoln to face Nebraska. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. local/CT on FS1.
Both teams have had very similar seasons so far. MSU and the Cornhuskers each got off to a 3-0 start before dropping their Big Ten opener two weeks ago. The Spartans fell at USC, 45-31; Nebraska lost at home to Michigan, 30-27.
Rest won't be much of a problem for both teams, as Michigan State and Nebraska were both on their first bye weeks last Saturday and did not play.
Quick Look at Nebraska
Nebraska is coached by Matt Rhule, who is in his third year with the program. He has a 15-14 overall record with the Cornhuskers and a 62-57 mark throughout his college career. Rhule is also known for helping turn around Temple (2013-16) and Baylor (2017-19). He also coached the Carolina Panthers, but got fired during his third season there and left with an 11-27 record.
Offense
Quarterbacked by former five-star recruit Dylan Raiola, Nebraska has an interesting offense. The Cornhuskers' offensive coordinator is Dana Holgorsen, who won 92 total games as a head coach between his time at West Virginia and Houston.
Holgorsen's offense is certainly not afraid to air the ball out. He was the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech while Mike Leach was there, where they ran an air-raid offense. It's not quite that extreme now in Lincoln, but Nebraska enters Saturday second in the nation in passing yards per game (351.8).
The top weapons that Raiola has to throw to are wide receivers Jacory Barney Jr. and Dane Key, who have 301 and 226 receiving yards, respectively, to go with three touchdowns apiece. On the ground, Nebraska will give plenty of touches to Emmett Johnson, who's got 71 carries already.
Defense
By far, the biggest thing to know about Nebraska's defense is that it has only allowed 75.8 passing yards per game, which is first in the nation.
Among the starters in Nebraska's secondary are corners Ceyair Wright, Andrew Marshall, and Donovan Jones. According to Pro Football Focus, none of those three have allowed more than 56 yards all season. The Cornhuskers' two top safeties, DeShon Singleton and Marques Buford Jr., have only allowed 24 yards combined.
Live Updates
First Half
Michigan State won the coin toss and elected to receive.
First Quarter
THREE AND OUT: Michigan State doesn't get anything going on its first possession, with Aidan Chiles getting sacked on third-and-6.
NEBRASKA TOUCHDOWN: Emmett Johnson runs in a two-yard touchdown run on Nebraska's opening drive to give the Cornhuskers a 7-0 lead.
NEBRASKA TOUCHDOWN: After MSU goes three-and-out, Nebraska blocks the ensuing punt and Carter Nelson takes it in for a score to make it 14-0 with 7:37 to go in the first.
END OF Q1: Nebraska 14, Michigan State 0
Second Quarter
MICHIGAN STATE TOUCHDOWN: Alessio Milivojevic comes in for Chiles and throws to Jack Velling for a touchdown that capped a 17-play, 75-yard drive. 14-7, Cornhuskers.
THREE AND OUT: MSU got the ball back with the chance to tie it, but a 15-yard penalty on the first play from Ashton Lepo killed the drive right away.
THREE AND OUT: Michigan State sacks Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola three straight times to force a punt on fourth-and-42.
MICHIGAN STATE TURNOVER: Aidan Chiles' pass to Brandon Tullis goes high and is intercepted by Nebraska's DeShon Singleton.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU's Jalen Thompson sacks Raiola for a 10-yard loss on fourth down to get the Spartans the ball back.
MICHIGAN STATE TURNOVER: Chiles is picked by Nebraska's Singleton for the second time in as many drives.
THREE AND OUT: Nebraska doesn't get anything going after Chiles' second pick either.
HALF- Nebraska 14, Michigan State 7
Second Half
Third Quarter
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Nebraska gives MSU the ball on the Cornhusker 48-yard line after a failed fake punt.
MICHIGAN STATE TOUCHDOWN: Chiles runs it into the endzone from 16 yards out to tie the game up at 14-14.
NEBRASKA TURNOVER: Dylan Raiola's pass is intercepted by Jordan Hall on the first play of the ensuing drive.
MICHIGAN STATE TOUCHDOWN: Chiles takes a quarterback sneak in from four yards out to give MSU its first lead of the day. 21-14, Spartans.
NEBRASKA TOUCHDOWN: Emmett Johnson runs in a 23-yard touchdown to tie the game back up at 21-21.
MICHIGAN STATE TURNOVER: Sam Edwards and Jay Coyne run into each other on the ensuing kickoff and give the Cornhuskers the ball again.
END OF Q3: Michigan State 21, Nebraska 21
Fourth Quarter
NEBRASKA FIELD GOAL: Kyle Cunanan's 27-yard field goal is good to give the Cornhuskers a 24-21 lead.
THREE AND OUT: MSU doesn't get anything going offensively on its next drive.
THREE AND OUT: The Spartans got a stop, but had to punt it away quickly again after being pinned at their own 9-yard line.
NEBRASKA TOUCHDOWN: Nyziah Hunter takes a screen 59 yards for a touchdown to make it a two-possession lead. 31-21, Huskers.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU goes four-and-out to essentially put the game on ice for Nebraska.
NEBRASKA TOUCHDOWN: Emmett Johnson scores from 11 yards out for his third score of the game. 38-21, Cornhuskers.
MICHIGAN STATE TOUCHDOWN: Alessio Milivojevic sneaks in a rushing touchdown from the 1-yard line with 2:01 to go. MSU went for two, but it was unsuccessful. That made it 38-27, Nebraska.
FINAL: Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on MSU's game at Nebraska when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.
A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
Follow jacobcotsonika