Huskers blow past Badgers, clinch bowl berth
In a matchup of two struggling offenses and two of the nation’s stronger defenses, a surprising scoring spree broke out.
The Huskers rang up 10 points in the last 20 seconds of the first half to give themselves a 14-point cushion, then boosted their lead to 34-10 in the second half en route to a 44-25 win that ended the program’s infamous bowl-eligibility drought.
After the Badgers pulled within 37-25 midway through the fourth quarter, the Huskers didn’t wither, driving 75 yards for a touchdown while taking more than five minutes off the clock. DeShon Singleton’s interception near midfield then snuffed out the Badgers’ final threat.
Husker running back Emmett Johnson had a career day with 113 rushing yards on 13 carries, plus six catches for 85 yards. Dylan Raiola threw for 293 yards on 28-of-38 passing.
Now 6-5 on the season, Nebraska will play in its first bowl since 2016. The Huskers’ 44 points were their most since 2021.
During the 24-10 first half Saturday, the Huskers started and finished strong.
Nebraska got a kickoff return to midfield from Jacory Barney Jr. to open the game. That short field was converted into a touchdown run by Heinrich Haarberg.
Wisconsin answered with a touchdown drive of its own, but the Badgers struggled offensively when it counted most during the rest of the half, adding just one field goal. Wisconsin missed two other field goals, including one that followed a Nebraska fumble at its own 17.
Nebraska added touchdowns from Dante Dowdell and Jahmal Banks. After Banks’ toe-tap touchdown at the back of the end zone with 17 seconds to go in the half, Wisconsin fumbled to give Nebraska a chance to score again. John Hohl drilled a 37-yard field goal to send the Big Red into the half with the two-touchdown lead.