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Live Updates: Nebraska Defeats Michigan State, 38-27

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are back in action at home Saturday, hosting the Michigan State Spartans. Follow along for updates.
Kaleb Henry|
Nebraska and Michigan State linemen prepare for a play at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska and Michigan State linemen prepare for a play at Memorial Stadium. | Cory Edmondson, KFGE

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Nebraska CornhuskersMichigan State Spartans

LINCOLN—Nebraska football is 3-1 coming off of an idle week.

They return to action at home against the Michigan State Wolverines. The two teams battled it out on FS1.

Most recent updates at the top.

Nebraska Athletics Notes

  • With today’s win, Nebraska improved to 10-4 all-time against Michigan State, including 7-1 in Lincoln. The Huskers also won their Homecoming game for the 14th time in the past 16 seasons.
  • Nebraska blocked a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter, with Jamir Conn blocking the punt and Carter Nelson returning it three yards for a touchdown. Conn’s blocked punt was his second of the season after he partially blocked a punt against Houston Christian. Nelson’s touchdown was the second of his career after a receiving touchdown last season against Northern Iowa.
  • The blocked punt for a touchdown marked Nebraska’s first since Oct. 1, 2022, against Indiana when Malcolm Hartzog returned a blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown (blocked by Chris Kolarevic). It was Nebraska’s first special teams touchdown of any kind since Quinton Newsome returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown against Purdue in 2023.
  • Sophomore Jacory Barney Jr. had a career-long 57-yard punt return in the second quarter, bettering a 39-yard punt return against Akron. The 57-yard punt return is Nebraska’s longest since JD Spielman had a 76-yard punt return touchdown against South Alabama in 2019.
  • Barney had four returns for 81 yards today and has 192 punt return yards this season, the most by a Husker since De’Mornay Pierson-El had 596 punt returns on 34 returns in 2014.
  • Barney added two receptions for 47 yards, including a 45-yard reception in the third quarter to set up a game-tying touchdown. Barney has had multiple receptions in 17 straight games.
  • Junior running back Emmett Johnson rushed 13 times for 13 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown to open the scoring and a 23-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Johnson has a team-leading six rushing touchdowns and a team-high seven total touchdowns this season. Today marked Johnson’s third multi-TD game of the season.
  • Johnson added six receptions for 37 yards and totaled 120 yards from scrimmage.
  • Senior safety DeShon Singleton had two second-quarter interceptions, the second and third interceptions of his career. It marked the first time a Husker has had two interceptions in a game since Tommi Hill had two picks against Purdue in 2023. Singleton’s first career interception was last year against Wisconsin.
  • Two Husker defenders made their first career starts, including true freshman linebacker Dawson Merritt and redshirt freshman safety Rex Guthrie. In addition, left tackle Elijah Pritchett made his first start at Nebraska.
  • Senior linebacker Javin Wright had 10 tackles in the game, including a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss. Wright had 10 tackles in the previous game against Michigan, and he is the first Husker to have consecutive games with double-figure tackles was Luke Reimer in 2021.
  • Senior nose tackle Elijah Jeudy had a 10-yard sack, marking his first career sack.
  • Nebraska registered a season-high 4.0 sacks in the game, eclipsing its previous high of 3.0 vs. Houston Christian. 
  • Quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 194 yards to increase his career passing total to 4,150. He is the ninth player in school history with 4,000 career passing yards.
  • Michigan State’s second-quarter touchdown pass was the first against Nebraska this season. Nebraska entered the day as one of only two FBS teams that had not allowed a passing touchdown (Arizona).

End 4Q

Nebraska recovers the onside kick and kneels out the clock.

Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27

4Q 2:01 TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN STATE

Alessio Milivojevic gets the touchdown on the quarterback sneak. The two-point conversion failed.

Nebraska 38, Michigan State 21

4Q 4:27 TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA

Emmett Johnhson runs in the score from 11 yards out.

4Q 5:17 TURNOVER ON DOWNS

Aidan Chiles is sacked by Cam Lenhardt on fourth down, giving Nebraska the ball at the MSU17.

Nebraska 31, Michigan State 21

4Q 6:45 TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA

On the first play of the drive, Dylan Raiola throws short to Nyziah Hunter, who takes the ball 59 yards to the house.

4Q 7:07 Michigan State goes three-and-out. The punt is returned to the NU41.

4Q 8:37 Nebraska's drive stalls after a sack and an Elijah Pritchett false start. Archie Wilson's punt is fair caught at the MSU09.

4Q 12:34 Michigan State goes three-and-out. The punt is returned for a touchdown but a flag on the return brings the ball back to the NU20.

Nebraska 24, Michigan State 21

4Q 13:32 FIELD GOAL NEBRASKA

Kyle Cunanan's 27-yard field goal puts the Huskers back in front.

End 3Q

Nebraska has a 3rd and 4 at the MSU22 upcoming.

3Q 1:08 FUMBLE

Michigan State mishandles the kickoff with the strong winds and Nebraska recovers at the MSU28.

Nebraska 21, Michigan State 21

3Q 1:11 TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA

A busted play sees Dylan Raiola find Jacory Barney Jr. for 45 yards. Two plays later, Emmett Johnson runs in the score from 23 yards out.

Michigan State 21, Nebraska 14

3Q 2:37 TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN STATE

Aidan Chiles takes a quarterback sneak for four yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

3Q 2:39 TIMEOUT MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans have a 2nd 1 at the NU4 upcoming.

3Q 3:35 OFFICIALS TIMEOUT FOR AN INJURED NEBRASKA PLAYER (DeShon Singleton)

Michigan State has a 1st and 10 at the NU13 upcoming.

3Q 3:45 TIMEOUT MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State picks up 14 yards on 3rd and 15. The Spartans have a 4th and 1 from the NU16 upcoming.

3Q 6:01 INTERCEPTION

On the first play of the drive, Dylan Raiola throws an interception to Jordan Hall, setting Michigan State up at the NU38.

Nebraska 14, Michigan State 14

3Q 6:08 TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State picks up a 4th and 6 and a 3rd and 5 before Aidan Chiles scrambled for a 16-yard score on a 4th and 4.

3Q 13:08 TURNOVER ON DOWNS

A fake punt comes up short, giving Michigan State the ball at the NU48.

3Q 13:13 OFFICIALS TIMEOUT FOR AN INJURED MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER

Nebraska has a 4th and 3 from the NU46 upcoming.

Nebraska Athletics Notes

  • Nebraska blocked a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter, with Jamir Conn blocking the punt and Carter Nelson returning it three yards for a touchdown. Conn’s blocked punt was his second of the season after he partially blocked a punt against Houston Christian. Nelson’s touchdown was the second of his career after a receiving touchdown last season against Northern Iowa.
  • The blocked punt for a touchdown marked Nebraska’s first since Oct. 1, 2022, against Indiana when Malcolm Hartzog returned a blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown (blocked by Chris Kolarevic). It was Nebraska’s first special teams touchdown of any kind since Quinton Newsome returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown against Purdue in 2023.
  • Sophomore Jacory Barney Jr. had a career-long 57-yard punt return in the second quarter, bettering a 39-yard punt return against Akron. The 57-yard punt return is Nebraska’s longest since JD Spielman had a 76-yard punt return touchdown against South Alabama in 2019.
  • Barney had 71 punt return yards in the first half, giving him 182 punt return yards this season. That is the most by a Husker since De’Mornay Pierson-El had 596 yards on 34 returns in 2014.
  • Senior safety DeShon Singleton had two second-quarter interceptions, marking the second and third interceptions of his career. It marks the first time a Husker has had two interceptions in a game since Tommi Hill had two picks against Purdue in 2023.  Singleton’s first career interception was last season against Wisconsin.
  • Two Husker defenders made their first career starts, including true freshman linebacker Dawson Merritt and redshirt freshman safety Rex Guthrie. In addition, left tackle Elijah Pritchett made his first start at Nebraska.
  • Junior running back Emmett Johnson scored a 2-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Johnson has a team-leading five rushing touchdowns and a team-high six total touchdowns this season.
  • Senior nose tackle Elijah Jeudy had a 10-yard sack, marking his first career sack.
  • Michigan State’s second-quarter touchdown pass was the first against Nebraska this season. Nebraska entered the day as one of only two FBS teams that had not allowed a passing touchdown (Arizona).

HALFTIME

End 2Q

After Archie Wilson's punt went out at the MSU12, Michigan State kneeled on the ball to run out the clock.

2Q 0:12 TIMEOUT MICHIGAN STATE

Nebraska has a 4th and 8 from the MSU42 upcoming.

2Q 0:33 TIMEOUT MICHIGAN STATE

The Huskers have a 3rd and 16 upcoming from midfield.

2Q 0:33 TIMEOUT NEBRASKA

The Huskers have a 3rd and 16 upcoming after the Justin Evans unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

2Q 1:13 INTERCEPTION

DeShon Singleton picks off the Aidan Chiles third-down pass and takes it to the MSU44.

2Q 1:54 TURNOVER ON DOWNS

Dylan Raiola is sacked for 10 yards to give Michigan State the ball at their own 38.

TWO MINUTE TIMEOUT

2Q 2:00 Nebraska has a 4th and 4 from the MSU28 upcoming.

2Q 2:43 OFFICIALS TIMEOUT FOR AN INJURED MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER

Nebraska has a 3rd and 4 from the MSU28 upcoming.

2Q 5:18 INTERCEPTION

DeShon Singleton intercepts the third-down pass from Aidan Chiles at the MSU45.

2Q 6:04 Two sacks and a false start backed up Nebraska to midfield before the snap on third down was off to the side of Dylan Raiola, who was tackled at the NU42. Archie Wilson's punt on 4th and 42 went just 18 yards to the MSU40.

2Q 8:28 With Aidan Chiles back in at quarterback, Michigan State is unable to overcome a personal foul penalty on the first play of the drive. The Spartan punt flies 54 yards but is returned 57 yards by Jacory Barney to the MSU26.

2Q 10:04 Nebraska is forced to punt before getting to midfield. Archie Wilson's punt is held up by the strong winds and goes only 26 yards to the MSU30.

Nebraska 14, Michigan State 7

2Q 12:52 TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN STATE

Alessio Milivojevic finds Jack Velling for the pitch-and-catch score on 2nd and goal from the 2.

2Q 13:36 Aidan Chiles went to the injury tent, being replaced by Alessio Milivojevic. The backup quarterback completes one pass before drawing another Nebraska pass interference to get a new set of downs.

2Q 14:38 OFFICIALS TIMEOUT FOR AN INJURED MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER

A pass interference on third down gives Michigan State a new set of downs, but a 10-yard sack puts the Spartans back at the 16. They have a 2nd and goal upcoming.

End 1Q

Michigan State converted a fourth down and a long third down in Nebraska territory to get inside the NU10. The Spartans have a 3rd and goal from the NU11 coming up.

Nebraska 14, Michigan State 0

1Q 7:37 TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA

Michigan State goes three-and-out for the second straight drive. The punt was blocked by Jamir Conn and recovered by Carter Nelson and returned three yards for the touchdown.

Nebraska 7, Michigan State 0

1Q 9:09 TOUCHDOWN NEBRASKA

Emmett Johnson runs in for the opening score of the game on a beautiful play design that featured Heinrich Haarberg taking the snap, handing it off to Dylan Raiola to the right, and then Haarberg leading blocking on a reverse back around the left side.

1Q 10:57 OFFICIALS TIMEOUT FOR INJURED MICHIGAN STATE PLAYER

Nebraska has a 1st and 10 at the MSU24 upcoming.

1Q 13:33 A sack of 10 yards on third down from Javin Wright and Williams Nwaneri forces three-and-out and a punt. Jacory Barney Jr. returns the punt 14 yards to the MSU48.

The commorative coin has former Spartan Mike Sadler one side and former Husker Sam Foltz on the other. The coin flip showed Sadler, as Michigan State elected to receive to begin the game.

Malcolm Hartzog Jr. is listed as questionable but will officially be out. He is in street clothes as the Huskers go through warmups.

Nebraska and Michigan State's availability reports for Saturday's game.
Nebraska and Michigan State's availability reports for Saturday's game. | Big Ten Conference

Nebraska Football 2025 Schedule

  • Aug. 28 Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
  • Sep. 6 Nebraska 68, Akron 0
  • Sep. 13 Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
  • Sep. 20 Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
  • Oct. 4 Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
  • Oct. 11 at Maryland 2:30 p.m. CDT BTN
  • Oct. 17 (Friday) at Minnesota 7 p.m. FOX
  • Oct. 25 vs. Northwestern TBA
  • Nov. 1 vs. USC TBA
  • Nov. 8 at UCLA TBA
  • Nov. 22 at Penn State TBA
  • Nov. 28 (Black Friday) vs. Iowa 11 a.m. CBS

Home games are bolded. All times central.

Have a question or comment for Kaleb? Send an email to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.

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Published | Modified
Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

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