The Michigan Wolverines started conference play in the hostile environment of Memorial Stadium on Saturday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In a back-and-forth affair throughout the entire game, it was Michigan that came away victorious and managed to start 1-0 in the Big Ten.
Here’s how it all went down.
First Quarter
Nebraska came out swinging on its first drive of the game, getting all the way down to the 6 yard line before facing a 4th-and-2. Nebraska head coach/podcast host Matt Rhule decided to go for it,
but Wink Martindale’s defense made a huge stand as Trey Pierce made a big tackle to stop the Cornhuskers from picking up a first down.
Unfortunately, the Wolverines went three-and-out and a 24-yard punt by Hudson Hollenbeck gave Nebraska fantastic field position at the Michigan 37. Thankfully, Michigan’s defense stood tall and forced a 44-yard field goal that was missed by Nebraska kicker Kyle Cunanan.
The Wolverines methodically marched down the field and nearly got into the end zone twice — a trick play had Semaj Morgan short-arm a throw to a wide-open Donaven McCulley, while a dime from Bryce Underwood went off Channing Goodwin’s fingertips in the end zone. Dominic Zvada hit a 46-yard field goal to put the first points of the day on the board. Michigan 3, Nebraska 0
Patrick Mahomes — err I mean, Dylan Raiola threw his first interception of the season on the next drive, with cornerback Jyaire Hill tipping it and linebacker Cole Sullivan finishing the play. On the very next play, Underwood took it 37 yards to the house. Michigan 10, Nebraska 0
End of Q1: Michigan 10, Nebraska 0
Second Quarter
After a Nebraska three-and-out — which ended with a Rayshaun Benny sack on Raiola — the Wolverines’ gave it right back thanks to an Underwood fumble. After giving up a couple first downs, the defensive line, led by Benny and edge rusher Cameron Brandt, were able to sack Raiola on third down to force the Cornhuskers to kick a 39-yard field goal. Michigan 10, Nebraska 3
After a Michigan three-and-out, and the Cornhuskers went 63 yards in seven plays, ending in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Raiola to Jacory Barney Jr. on 3rd-and-8. Michigan 10, Nebraska 10
Running back Justice Haynes said “enough of that” and went 75 yards on the first play of the drive to instantly put Michigan back on top. Michigan 17, Nebraska 10
The Cornhuskers — from their own 48 yard line on 4th-and-11 — threw a Hail Mary touchdown to end the first half.
HALFTIME: Michigan 17, Nebraska 17
Third Quarter
After picking up a first down on the first play of the half, Michigan was forced to punt a few plays later. A boom of a punt by Hollenbeck pinned the Cornhuskers back at their own 3 yard line. Nebraska went three-and-out, and Michigan then went on an eight-play, 22-yard drive that ended in Zvada hitting a 56-yard field goal. Michigan 20, Nebraska 17
Linebacker Ernest Hausmann collected the defense’s fifth sack of the game on Raiola, helping the defense get off the field and force another punt. Jordan Marshall took the first carry for eight yards, and then the next one for 54 yards for another long Michigan touchdown run. Michigan 27, Nebraska 17
The beginning of the Cornhusker’s ensuing drive was not optimal for them: -7 yards on three plays, with two tackles for loss coming from Sullivan. However, Brandyn Hillman was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and gave Nebraska a free first down.
End of Q3: Michigan 27, Nebraska 17
Fourth Quarter
That penalty on Hillman came back to haunt Michigan, as Nebraska got into field goal range and converted from 38 yards out. Michigan 27, Nebraska 20
The Wolverines went three-and-out once again to give the Cornhuskers the ball back with a ton of momentum. Fortunately for Michigan, the defense forced a three-and-out and got its seventh sack of the game, with this one being a tag-team effort from Enow Etta and Derrick Moore.
And then, the Wolverines went on the drive of the game — 16 plays, 77 yards, 8:46 off the clock, and three points on the board via a Zvada 21-yard field goal. The drive was a thing of beauty, with the Wolverines converting three separate third downs, including a 3rd-and-9 and a 3rd-and-10. Multiple designed runs were called for Underwood, and Haynes also kept the clock moving to eventually get down to a goal-to-go situation before stalling out three yards from the end zone. Michigan 30, Nebraska 20
Needing points in the worst way, Raiola got the Cornhuskers the score that they needed, completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Heinrich Haarberg. Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
Nebraska elected to try an onside kick, and it was recovered by Kendrick Bell in what was undoubtedly the best play by a Michigan wide receiver in this game. Some tough running by Marshall gave Michigan a first down and the ability to ice the game.
Final Score: Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
Michigan Stat Leaders
- QB Bryce Underwood: 12-of-22 for 105 yards; 8 carries for 61 yards and 1 TD, 1 fumble lost
- RB Justice Haynes: 17 carries for 149 yards and 1 TD
- RB Jordan Marshall: 6 carries for 80 yards and 1 TD
- WR Donaven McCulley: 3 catches for 39 yards
- DL Rayshaun Benny: 3 tackles, 1.5 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks
- LB Cole Sullivan: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT
- LB Ernest Hausmann: 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack
- CB Jayden Sanders: 8 tackles, 1 pass breakup
Nebraska Stat Leaders
- QB Dylan Raiola: 30-of-41 for 308 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
- RB Emmett Johnson: 19 carries for 65 yards
- WR Jacory Barney Jr.: 6 catches for 120 yards and 2 TDs
- TE Luke Lindenmeyer: 7 catches for 60 yards
The Wolverines will be on their first bye week of the season next weekend before welcoming the Wisconsin Badgers to the Big House on Saturday, Oct. 4.
