A late touchdown pass from Taylor Martinez to Jamal Turner with 6 seconds remaining gave the No. 21 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) a 28-24 win over the Michigan State Spartans (5-5, 2-4 Big Ten) Saturday.
Nebraska vs. Michigan State 2012 final score: Cornhuskers escape with 28-24 win
No. 21 Nebraska got a late go-ahead touchdown to beat Michigan State, 28-24, Saturday.
The teams were tied 14-14 at halftime, but Michigan State didn't trail until the final score by Nebraska. Michigan State took the lead in the third quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Dan Conroy to go up 17-14. The Spartans extended the lead to 24-14 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Le'Veon Bell early in the fourth quarter.
Nebraska cut the lead to 24-21 on a 35-yard touchdown run by Martinez. The Cornhuskers got the ball back with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter. They were helped on the final drive by a pass interference penalty that put the ball at the Michigan State 5 and, two plays later, Martinez found Turner.
The teams traded touchdowns in the first half. Michigan State scored on an 11-yard run by Bell in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Nebraska responded with a 2-yard pass from Martinez to Ameer Abdullah after a 59-yard run by Martinez got the Cornhuskers inside the Michigan State 10.
In the second quarter, Michigan State scored on a 46-yard pass from Maxwell to Tony Lippett. Nebraska tied it before halftime on a 71-yard run by Martinez.
Bell rushed for 188 yards on 36 carries and two touchdowns. Michigan State’s defense also intercepted three Martinez passes. He’d thrown just five all season coming into this game. Maxwell was 9 for 27 for 123 yards and a touchdown.
Box Score Hero: Martinez finished 16 for 36 passing for 160 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He had 17 carries for 205 yards.
Rankings Ramifications: Nebraska came in ranked No. 21 and is likely to stay in that range or maybe move up a spot or two with the win.
But Did They Cover? Michigan State was favored by one entering the game, so they did not cover.
For More On This Game: For more on Spartans football, visit Michigan State blog The Only Colors, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Detroit. For more on Huskers football, visit Nebraska blog Corn Nation.
Next Week’s Schedule: Michigan State has a bye next week, then hosts Northwestern on Nov. 17. Nebraska hosts Penn State at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 10.
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