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09/26 21:11 CDT Colandrea's two TD passes and stout defense lifts unbeaten
Nebraska past Michigan State, 31-13
Colandrea's two TD passes and stout defense lifts unbeaten Nebraska past
Michigan State, 31-13
By DANA GAURUDER
Associated Press
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) --- Anthony Colandrea passed for 212 yards and two
first-half touchdowns as undefeated Nebraska pulled away to a 31-13 win over
mistake-prone Michigan State in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Saturday.
Vincent Genatone scored twice for Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) while Mekhi Nelson rushed
for 61 yards and one touchdown. Kwazi Gilmer caught three passes for 63 yards,
including a 44-yard score.
"Really fired up for the guys," Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule said. "It's a
great first step."
The Cornhuskers' defense held the Spartans to 252 total yards, recorded six
sacks and forced three turnovers.
"We wanted to come out here and make a statement, show everybody who we are,"
said defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, who had two sacks. "This is a big
momentum booster for us going into Big Ten play."
Michigan State's defense couldn't come up with a big play to bail out its
offense, failing to come up with a sack or turnover.
"You fix the things you can correct," Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald said.
"We've got to take care of the ball."
Jaziun Patterson rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown for the Spartans (2-2,
0-1). Alessio Milivojevic passed for 208 yards but committed two turnovers.
"I'm pretty mad about it now because I know how hard our offense works,"
Milivojevic said. "For me to turn the ball over multiple times and takes sacks
like that, it falls on my shoulders."
Colandrea's 13-yard scoring pass to Genatone with two seconds left in the first
half gave Nebraska a 24-10 halftime lead. Genatone's 1-yard, fourth-quarter
plunge pushed the Cornhuskers' lead to 31-13.
Edwards injured Michigan State's top running back, Cam Edwards, suffered a right leg injury in the first quarter. Edwards was upended near the Spartans' sideline by defensive back Denny Odem III after a 23-yard pass play. Edwards returned to the field later in the first half on crutches with a large brace covering his knee. Fitzgerald didn't have an update on Edwards' injury afterward, as the senior transfer from UConn will require more testing. "Just praying for a fast recovery for him," Milivojevic said. "It's tough for our team to lose a guy like that."
The takeaway Nebraska: The Cornhuskers faced their first test after pounding three overmatched non-conference opponents by a combined score of 139-35. Their stout defense offset a spotty offensive performance --- they averaged 3.8 yards per rush and Colandrea converted 55.5% of his passing attempts. Michigan State: Penalties played a major role in the Spartans' first-half deficit. A punt block was nullified by a holding penalty, prolonging Nebraska's first touchdown drive. A personal foul infraction facilitated Nebraska's second touchdown drive. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty handed the Cornhuskers a first down during their final drive of the half.
Up next Nebraska: hosts Maryland next Saturday. Michigan State: visits Wisconsin next Saturday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
Edwards injured Michigan State's top running back, Cam Edwards, suffered a right leg injury in the first quarter. Edwards was upended near the Spartans' sideline by defensive back Denny Odem III after a 23-yard pass play. Edwards returned to the field later in the first half on crutches with a large brace covering his knee. Fitzgerald didn't have an update on Edwards' injury afterward, as the senior transfer from UConn will require more testing. "Just praying for a fast recovery for him," Milivojevic said. "It's tough for our team to lose a guy like that."
The takeaway Nebraska: The Cornhuskers faced their first test after pounding three overmatched non-conference opponents by a combined score of 139-35. Their stout defense offset a spotty offensive performance --- they averaged 3.8 yards per rush and Colandrea converted 55.5% of his passing attempts. Michigan State: Penalties played a major role in the Spartans' first-half deficit. A punt block was nullified by a holding penalty, prolonging Nebraska's first touchdown drive. A personal foul infraction facilitated Nebraska's second touchdown drive. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty handed the Cornhuskers a first down during their final drive of the half.
Up next Nebraska: hosts Maryland next Saturday. Michigan State: visits Wisconsin next Saturday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
