EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Nebraska Cornhuskers are officially 4-0 for the first time in a decade, sending a terrifying message to the rest of the Big Ten. Head coach Matt Rhule’s squad went on the road to Spartan Stadium and proved that the days of late-game collapse and heartbreak are dead and buried, powering past Michigan State in a gritty 31-13 victory.
Driven by a relentless Blackshirt defense and timely offensive strikes, the Huskers have claimed their first conference win of the 2026 season and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
The Blackshirts Return: 6 Sacks and 3 Big Takeaways
Rob Aurich’s defensive unit delivered a masterclass in road dominance, neutralizing Michigan State’s attack and winning the turnover battle when it mattered most:
- Sack Attack: Nebraska’s defensive front terrorized the backfield, recording a season-high six sacks, led by a game-changing two-sack effort from star edge rusher Williams Nwaneri.
- Turnover Dominance: Owen Chambliss picked off his first interception of the year, Donovan Jones forced and recovered a pivotal strip-sack, and Andrew Marshall sealed the deal with a late fourth-quarter interception deep in Nebraska territory.
- Shutting Down the Run: After Michigan State star running back Cam Edwards exited with an injury, the Husker defense clamped down, allowing zero runs over 10 yards and holding the Spartans to just 78 total rushing yards.
QB Anthony Colandrea and Offense Step Up in Key Moments
Despite losing freshman star running back Jamal Rule to an early injury, the Huskers found ways to put points on the board. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea showcased his duel-threat capabilities, leading the team with 66 rushing yards while throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
Highlights included a 44-yard touchdown bomb to Kwazi Gilmer (who recorded 101 receiving yards), a clutch 13-yard score to Vincent Genatone before halftime, and two goal-line rushing touchdowns by Mekhi Nelson to put the game out of reach.
Next Up: Big Ten Showdown Against Maryland at Memorial Stadium
With momentum at an all-time high and a 4-0 record locked in, the Cornhuskers return home to Lincoln on Saturday, October 3, to host Maryland. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. CT, broadcast live on FS1 and the Huskers Radio Network.