Michigan football runs through corn maze while parting Red Sea to take down Nebraska in Big Ten opener

LINCOLN, Neb. – The No. 21-ranked Michigan Wolverines ran through a corn maze while parting the Red Sea to defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 30-27.

With the victory, Michigan (3-1) won its sixth consecutive Big Ten opener, while Nebraska dropped its sixth straight Big Ten opener.

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, including Saturday’s matchup, have lost 28 straight games against ranked teams.

With the loss, Nebraska tied Indiana’s record of 28 consecutive losses against AP top 25 opponents, a streak that lasted from 1993 to 2000.

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

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

Saturday’s game was the 11th meeting between the two teams, with Michigan leading the series 7-4.

With the victory, Michigan rushed to glory as they had big runs by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood (37), Jordan Marshall (54), and Justice Haynes (75).

As a team, the Wolverines rushed for a combined 286 yards with Haynes leading all ball carriers with 17 attempts for 149 yards and one touchdown.

The Wolverines are on a much-needed bye week, but they’ll return to The Big House on Oct. 4 to host the Wisconsin Badgers while getting coach Moore back from his self-imposed two-game suspension.

1st quarter

The Wolverines deferred to the second half and gave up a massive 14-yard run by Emmit Johnson.

They nearly got a sack on second down before Dylan Raiola put on his best Patrick Mahomes impersonation as he eluded the pass rush and completed a 23-yard pass to Luke Lindenmeyer.

Raiola nearly threw an interception before slinging the pigskin sidearmed to Nyziah Hunter for 13 yards.

After getting another first down, in the red zone on third down and three, Johnson ran the ball for one yard.

On fourth down and two, Raiola passed the ball to Lindenmeyer for 1 yd to the Wolverines’ five-yard line thanks to a big-time stop by Trey Pierce to force the turnover on downs.

Michigan opened its first drive with its backs to the end zone, handing the ball off to Justice Haynes for a two-yard gain.

Bryce Underwood completed his first pass attempt to Channing Goodwin for five yards.

On third down and three, the red sea of about 90,000 fans forced Michigan to false start.

With third down and eight, Underwood scrambled for six yards, settling for a Hudson Hollenbeck punt that bounced backwards 15 yards from the 50-yard line, setting up a first down and 10 in their own red zone.

Nebraska, on its second offensive possession, gained eight yards on a reception to Johnson, who gained one yard on second down to set up third down and one.

Johnson moved the sticks with a four-yard run up the right side.

Isaiah Mozee gained one yard on a run-pass option play.

Johnson gained two yards rushing, setting up a third down and seven, but Jaishawn Barham got the first sack of the game on Raiola for a five-yard loss.

Kyle Cunanan missed a 44-yard field goal, his first of the season, as the ball went wide right.

With more room in front of them, Michigan’s offense opened its second drive with a three-yard carry to Haynes, setting up a second down and seven to go.

Underwood connected with Donaven McCulley for 12 yards.

Haynes toted the rock for a four-yard carry on the next play, before Semaj Morgan moved the sticks with a catch and run for 16 yards.

Underwood threw his first incompletion to Goodwin before connecting with McCulley for a razzle-dazzle catch and run for 11 yards.

Morgan caught a backwards pass and threw a wide open incompletion to McCulley, who fell on as the ball dropped to the ground. It would have been a sure touchdown.

On third down and 10, Goodwin dropped a catchable ball in the endzone, setting up a Dominic Zvada 46-yard field goal.

Golden opportunity missed by Michigan on back-to-back plays to go up 7-0, but they scored the first points of the game, leading Nebraska 3-0 with 1:41 to play in the first quarter.

Raiola connected with Johnson on an eight-yard screen pass to set up second down and two.

Johnson gained two yards to move the sticks.

Raiola threw a tipped pass interception to Cole Sullivan for the first turnover of the game.

Give Jyaire Hill an assist with the tipped pass.

Underwood, on first down, ran a quarterback draw and parted the Red Sea for his third touchdown of the season, this time for 37 yards to take a 10-0 lead.

Chip Lindsey called a good play as Underwood beat a three-man rush to the endzone.

Raiola nearly threw another interception as he was hit while throwing the pass on first down.

He completed his next pass to Jacory Barney Jr. on second down to end the quarter.

2nd quarter

Raiola opened the first play of the second quarter with a false start on Elijah Pritchett, moving the ball back five yards on third down and three.

With a gift, Michigan got its second sack of the game, this time for 11 yards by Rayshaun Benny to set up a fourth down and 20 to the 36-yard line.

The Wolverines, with all of the momentum, opened their first drive of the quarter with a nearly missed interception as Underwood overthrew a pass into double coverage.

Jordan Marshall gained seven yards on his first carry of the game.

On third down and three, Underwood fumbled the ball, leading to a Nebraska turnover.

The Cornhuskers opened the drive with a Johnson four-yard carry.

Hill got called for a holding call while defending a slant, setting up an automatic first down.

Mekhi Nelson gained four yards before Raiola shook off a sack and completed a 21-yard pass to Dane Key.

Johnson gained three yards before Lindenmeyer gained four yards on a reception.

Benny got his second sack of the game, this time for a seven-yard loss, setting up a Cunanan 39-yard field goal to cut the Wolverines’ lead to 10-3.

Wink Martindale’s defense has been on the field for 14:10 and has one interception and three sacks while allowing three points.

After fair catching the kickoff, Haynes bounced the handoff outside for an 11-yard gain.

Underwood got sacked for six yards by Dasan McCullough on a play-action pass before Haynes slipped on a catch in the backfield, setting up a third down and 19.

Wolverines played it safe with a handoff to Haynes for a seven-yard gain.

Hollenbeck launched a punt, which bounced to Bayney Jr., who broke multiple tackles to set Nebraska up at their own 37-yard line.

Johnson opened the drive, gaining five yards to set up a second and five.

Raiola connected with Barney Jr. for an 11-yard catch for a first down.

Nebraska started moving the ball with positive runs as Johnson gained seven yards.

Raiola connected with Lindenmeyer for 12 yards to gain another first down.

Johnson gained one yard, setting up a second down and nine with under three minutes to play in the quarter.

The tailback gained one yard, setting up a third down and eight.

Nebraska was one for five on third down before connecting with Barney Jr. for a 26-yard catch and run to tie the game at 10-10 with 2:01 to play in the quarter.

Michigan took the ball with two minutes to play and made a house call in 10 seconds as Haynes scored on a 75-yard touchdown.

The big run was his fourth 50-yard or more big-time touchdown run of the season.

Haynes’ run was his second touchdown of more than 70 yards of the season.

Trailing 17-10, Nebraska, with the ball in Raiola’s hands, threw an incomplete back shoulder pass to Hunter.

On second down and 10, Raiola completed an 11-yard pass to Key.

Quinn Clark snagged a 14-yard pass from Raiola before Jimmy Rolder got his first sack of the game, the team’s fourth of the game, setting up a second down and 19 with 1:03 to play.

Johnson carried the ball for three yards as the clock ticked down to 23 seconds, and neither side called a timeout to stop the clock.

On third down and 16, trailing 17-10, Matt Rhule and his Cornhuskers ran the ball with Johnson for another three yards before calling a timeout with one second before halftime.

On fourth down and 11 on their own 48-yard line, Raiola connected with Barney Jr. for a 52-yard touchdown.

Biff Poggi committed coaching malpractice.

What was Michigan thinking? A bizarre ending to the half as Nebraska regains the momentum before halftime.

None of the Wolveirnes defenders were playing the ball, and if they were, they didn’t plan to knock the ball down; instead, they aimed to get an interception.

Michigan, with three timeouts, let Nebraska lull them to sleep, setting up the Hail Mary to cap off a seven-play 75-yard drive in 1:51 to tie the game at 17-17 to end the second quarter.

The lesson for Michigan fans is to always call a timeout when you can force a punt.

3rd quarter

After blowing the lead and letting the fans back into the game, Michigan opened the second half with Underwood completing his ninth pass of the game to McCulley for 16 yards.

Haynes gained two yards on first down, followed by Marlin Klein for five yards.

Underwood on third down completed a negative one-yard pass, setting up for a 49-yard punt by Hollenbeck to Nebraska’s three-yard line.

Nebraska, with the ball at their one three-yard line, Johnson gained three yards, setting up a second down and seven.

Johnson gained one yard, setting up a third down and six as Raiola connected with Key for six yards, with a big-time tackle by freshman Jayden Sanders.

After a delay of game, Nebraska punted the ball 53 yards.

Haynes opened the drive with a seven-yard rush, going over the century mark with 111 yards on the day.

On the second and three, Morgan dropped a pass, setting up for a tough third down and three.

Michigan was zero for five on third down before Haynes moved the sticks for three yards to set up a first down.

Underwood got on the move and connected with Klein for 16 yards to move the ball into the Nebraska red zone.

Haynes got stopped in the backfield for a five-yard loss.

On second down and 15 with 8:13 to play, Underwood connected with McCulley, but it was called incomplete as he stepped out of bounds.

Underwood threw an incomplete pass on third and long, setting up a Zvada 56-yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead.

The Cornhuskers got the ball on their 25-yard line after faircatching the kickoff, and Johnson gained no yards.

On second and 10, Raiola got sacked for the fifth time, this time by captain Ernest Hausmann, followed by an incomplete pass.

Morgan gained zero yards on the punt return with 6:12 to play in the quarter, leading 20-17.

After a TV timeout, Michigan opened the drive with a Marshall-like run, reminiscent of Beast Mode, for eight yards following an impressive second effort.

Marshall got a great block from Greg Crippen as Marshall makes a long-distance house call for 53 yards to take a 27-17 lead.

Marshall’s run was capped off with him imitating the act of eating corn, as the crowd went silent.

Trailing by 10 with 5:40 to play, Raiola threw a screen pass to Nelson for negative four yards.

On third down and 14, Raiola, down by 10, threw a screen pass to Lindenmeyer for a loss of three yards, but gained 15 yards after a taunting penalty by Brandyn Hillman to keep the drive alive.

Raiola started moving the ball as Lindenmeyer gained another first down, moving the ball to midfield.

Heinrich Haarberg gained nine yards on the play before Johnson caught a five-yard pass and ran.

Raiola was six for seven for 30 yards on the drive as he hit Lindenmeyer for five yards.

Johnson rushed the ball for eight yards to gain a first down.

Barney Jr. gained three yards on a reception to set up second and seven at the Michigan 13-yard line.

Derrick Moore got Michigan’s sixth sack of the game, forcing a third down and 14, before Nebraska got called for a nullified touchdown as Hunter stepped out of bounds and was the first to touch the ball, drawing a penalty to end the quarter.

4th quarter

Cunanan opened the quarter with a 38-yard field goal to draw the game to 27-20 with 14:56, capping off a 12-play drive.

Leading 27-20, Michigan opened the drive with an incompletion by Underwood to Morgan.

On second down and 10, Underwood hit Zack Marshall for six yards, setting up a pivotal third down and four.

Underwood ran a sprint right pass to Goodwin, but Underwood threw it out of his reach with 14:14 to play.

Bryson Kuzdzal made a huge tackle as he swiped the foot of Barney Jr., who had nothing but green grass in front of him, holding him to two yards on a 47-yard punt.

Raiola opened the key drive down seven, as Barham tackled Johnson for a loss of two yards.

He then threw an incomplete pass, setting up a third-and-12 with an empty backfield, where Raiola got sacked for a seventh time, this time by Moore and Enow Etta.

With the ball back, Underwood handed the ball to Haynes for a 13-yard run.

He followed that run with another five-yard run to set up second and five.

Haynes got tackled at the line of scrimmage for no gain, setting up a huge third down for both teams.

Underwood connected with Morgan, who broke a tackle to gain six yards and another first down.

Michigan went back to the ground game as Haynes gained one yard.

On second and nine, Underwood had his pass batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Needing nine yards, Underwood connected with Haynes on a screen pass for 16 yards.

Underwood threw incomplete on first down on a tough play that could have been bad as the defender broke up the wide receiver screen.

Jordan Marshall gained no yards on second down, setting up a third and 10 where Haynes rushed the ball for 19 yards.

Nebraska took its first timeout of the half at the 7:22 mark in the quarter.

Underwood rushed the ball for a loss of one, setting up a second and 11 as the clock ticked under the seven-minute mark.

Michigan ran a quarterback draw with Underwood, who gained 12 yards on the play.

Underwood handed the ball off to Haynes for a one-yard gain.

In the red zone for the first time of the day, Underwood scrambled for six yards.

On third and goal, Underwood got tackled at the line of scrimmage as Zvada drilled a 21-yard field goal with 3:54 to play in the quarter.

In an empty backfield, Raiola connected with Johnson for a six-yard gain.

Johnson gained another five yards on a Raiola pass to gain a first down with 3:07 remaining as Michigan called their first timeout of the half.

Raiola threw a bomb down the middle of the field to Key, but it fell incomplete, stopping the clock at 2:59.

Cameron Brandt deflected the pass as it fell incomplete out of bounds.

Dominic Nichols put the heat on Raiola, who tossed the ball straight up in the air, which was caught by a Nebraska lineman as an illegal touching penalty was called.

With a loss on the play, Raiola on third and 22 completed a pass to Hunter for 21 yards at the 2:00 timeout.

On fourth and one, trailing by 10, Raiola connected with Haarberg for six yards.

Raiola threw a bomb, which drew a pass interference by Shameri Earls.

Raiola connected with Barney Jr for a 21-yard catch, which drew a flag on Hillman for targeting, but it was overturned as the receiver tucked the ball and became a runner.

With a first down at the Michigan three-yard line, Raiola, with 1:38 and two timeouts, connected with Haarberg for a three-yard touchdown.

Michigan, with the lead set up to defend against an onside kick by Kendrick Bell to secure the recovery.

Jordan Marshall gained three yards on the play as Nebraska called its second timeout of the game.

On second down and seven, Marshall gained eight yards for a first down and had a chance to score, but did the smart play and slid in bounds to seal the victory as Nebraska called their final timeout of the game.