The Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0, 1-0) hit the road to face the Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-1) and open the 2026 Big Ten season. Though it was far from perfect, the Huskers pulled away late and won 31-13 to remain undefeated.
This is Nebraska's first 4-0 start since 2016. The Huskers also won their Big Ten opener for the first time since a 42-38 win at Illinois in 2019.
As a team, the Huskers had 369 yards of total offense. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea accounted for 278 yards of total offense. He led the team in the air with 212 passing yards and on the ground with 66 rushing yards.
Nebraska scored two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in the win. The Huskers have had at least one rushing and one passing touchdown in each of their
first four games. The last time Nebraska accomplished that feat was in 1999.
The only downside for the offense was the injury to running back Jamal Rule. The freshman was injured in the first quarter and he did not return to action. Nebraska is expected to release an updated injury report on Wednesday.
The Blackshirts surrendered only 257 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers. Linebacker Owen Chambliss had an interception and a season-high eight tackles. Defensive end Williams Nwaneri had a career-high 2.0 sacks and a blocked field goal.
Nebraska returns to Lincoln and will host Maryland at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 pm. CT on FS1. Find social media reactions to Nebraska's Big Ten victory below.
Win
Went and took it. pic.twitter.com/Kvert6XpPg
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 27, 2026
2016
Nebraska is 4-0 for the first time since 2016🌽 pic.twitter.com/d7KuHToQu7
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 27, 2026
Special win for the DC
An extra special win for Nebraska DC Rob Aurich. ❤️
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 27, 2026
Aurich was born and raised in Michigan and just won his first Big Ten game back in his home state. pic.twitter.com/dCIGP4GAzJ
A special start
Nebraska is 4-0 for the first time in a decade. 🌽
— DraftKings Sports (@DKSports) September 27, 2026
The last time the Huskers started 4-0 was 2016.
They kept winning, too — Nebraska started that season 7-0 and climbed to No. 7 in the country. 👀 pic.twitter.com/DC8m3D7QZR
Huskers are 7-6 against Fitz
Nebraska is now 7-6 against Pat Fitzgerald coached teams.
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) September 27, 2026
It’s the Huskers first win against Fitzgerald since 2021. pic.twitter.com/TIjx5Z9x8o
Did what they had to do
"We went on the road (and) we did what we had to do."
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) September 27, 2026
Nebraska is 4-0 after a 31-13 win at Michigan State. #Huskers end a 9-year skid in conference openers.
Watch Matt Rhule's full postgame press conference: https://t.co/JNSEFcYcpV pic.twitter.com/lL1B4aQXT2
Dub
"Dub! Dub!"
— Mason Kern (@MasonKernMedia) September 27, 2026
Anthony Colandrea leads the #Huskers to a 31-13 win over Michigan State 🏈
Nebraska wins in East Lansing for the first time since 2012, is 4-0 (first time since 2016) and 1-0 in Big Ten play (first time since 2019) @WOWT6News pic.twitter.com/tt2lPKZCmd
The best fans
Shout out to The Greatest Fans In College Football‼️ pic.twitter.com/An20nC6fFC
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) September 27, 2026
Nebraska's finest on the scene
That’s a Big Red road W!
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) September 27, 2026
Proud to have Coach Rhule flanked by Troopers Chick and Maahs after the game. GBR!!! pic.twitter.com/r39Oui4WCr
Sound logic
Nebraska just beat Michigan State in Lansing as badly as Notre Dame beat MSU in South Bend. So by the transitive property of college football matchups, Nebraska should be top 5 next week.
— Blank (@raheiser) September 27, 2026
Remembering Sam and Mike
Michigan State and Nebraska will honor the memories of Mike Sadler and Sam Foltz before today’s game. ❤️
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 26, 2026
It’s been 10 years since the two punters were tragically killed in a car accident. pic.twitter.com/SF49ekcSwC
A different team
"We're not like any of the other teams in the past."
— Nathan Hawkins (@nathanhawk1ns) September 27, 2026
Nebraska is 4-0 for the first time since 2016. Mekhi Nelson said the #Huskers are solely focused on the present. pic.twitter.com/5zLCInUsI2
I do too
I like this Nebraska football team
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) September 27, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to Nebraska's victory over Michigan State
