Michigan football looks to extend dominance over resurging Cornhuskers in Big Ten opener

LINCOLN, Neb. – The No. 21-ranked Michigan Wolverines begin Big Ten play this weekend at Memorial Stadium against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, following a dominant performance against Central Michigan.

First-time starters against Central Michigan included right guard Jake Guarnera, tight end Zack Marshall, and freshman defensive back Jayden Sanders.

A total of 87 players appeared in the game, with 12 Wolverines making their first career or first start at Michigan this season.

Justice Haynes

Running back Justice Haynes posted his third consecutive 100-yard game to start the season, rushing for 159, 125, and 104 yards in the first three games.

This marks the longest streak of 100-yard games to start a season since Blake Corum’s eight consecutive 100-yard games in 2022.

Haynes is the first Michigan back to begin his career with three straight 100-yard performances.

He has broken off seven runs of 10 or more yards, accounting for 14.3% of his carries, and has forced 13 missed tackles, ranking fourth in the Big Ten according to Pro Football Focus.

Haynes has also recorded runs of 56, 59, and 75 yards so far this season.

He ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (129.3) and rushing touchdowns (five).

Bryce Underwood

Quarterback Bryce Underwood rushed for 114 yards on nine carries and scored two rushing touchdowns against Central Michigan, marking the most productive ground game of his young career.

It was the first time a Michigan quarterback rushed for at least 100 yards in a game since Devin Gardner in 2013.

Underwood joined an elite group of Michigan quarterbacks who have rushed for 100-plus yards and scored multiple rushing touchdowns, including Denard Robinson, Rick Leach, and Michael Taylor.

Only a few Michigan quarterbacks have recorded 200-plus passing yards, 100-plus rushing yards, and at least one passing and one rushing touchdown in the same game.

Underwood joins Robinson and Gardner in this rare feat.

Seven different Wolverines scored touchdowns against Central Michigan, with eight players having scored on the season.

For five players—Jordan Marshall, Bryson Kuzdzal, Jasper Parker, Andrew Marsh, and Underwood—the touchdown was their first career score.

Michigan’s rushing offense ranks 15th nationally, averaging 242.7 yards per game.

The Wolverines scored eight rushing touchdowns against Central Michigan, just one shy of tying the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single game.

The men in maize posted 616 total yards (381 rushing, 235 receiving) against Central Michigan, the most since 2016 when Michigan gained 660 yards against Maryland.

The 63 points scored were the most since 2021, and the 35 first downs tied for the second-most in a single game in program history.

Explosive plays have increased this season, with Michigan recording 18 plays of 20 or more yards through three games.

Haynes leads the team with four such plays, all of which are rushes, and six players have two each.

Defense

Michigan leads the turnover battle this season, forcing seven turnovers while committing only two.

The defense has forced multiple turnovers in every game so far.

Defensively, Michigan limits opponents to just 2.6 yards per rush on 101 attempts.

Oklahoma is the only team to have scored rushing touchdowns against Michigan this year.

Opponents have scored only one field goal in fourth quarters this season.

Michigan has allowed just two touchdowns and one field goal in second halves across three games.

Linebacker Ernest Hausmann leads the defense with 20 tackles through three games, four more than the next closest defender.

The linebacker corps dominates the top tackler list, with Cole Sullivan and Jaishawn Barham also among the leaders.

Michigan’s five defensive interceptions rank sixth nationally.

Five different players have recorded interceptions: Elijah Dotson, TJ Guy, Brandyn Hillman, TJ Metcalf, and Sullivan.

Thirteen players have recorded an interception or pass breakup this season, including linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs. Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Hillman, and Jaden Mangham each have two, tied for the team lead.

Special teams

Punter Hudson Hollenbeck has effectively limited opponents’ return yards.

Five of his 10 punts have been fair caught or gone out of bounds, resulting in no return yards.

The three punts that were returned totaled just two yards.

History

Nebraska has not won a game against a ranked opponent since defeating the No. 22-ranked Oregon Ducks 35-32 on Sept. 17, 2016.

Since then, the Cornhuskers have lost 27 straight games against ranked teams.

However, with a 3-0 start led by quarterback Dylan Raiola, who has a skill set comparable to Patrick Mahomes, Nebraska sees an opportunity against a 2-1 Michigan team starting 18-year-old freshman quarterback Underwood.

If Nebraska loses, it would tie Indiana’s record of 28 consecutive losses against AP top 25 opponents, a streak that lasted from 1993 to 2000.

Michigan will be without coach Moore, who is serving the second game of a self-imposed suspension related to sign-stealing allegations from 2023.

Nebraska will try to upset the No. 21-ranked Wolverines on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

The Cornhuskers have not beaten Michigan since 2013. Michigan has dominated the last four matchups, including a 45-7 win in 2023.

Saturday’s game will be the 11th meeting between the two teams, with Michigan leading the series 6-4.

Catch Michigan and Nebraska at 3:30 on Saturday, Sept. 20, inside Memorial Stadium.