Nebraska vs. Michigan State: Game Grades, Analysis for Cornhuskers and Spartans
Trae Waynes saved the day with a late interception deep in MSU territory as Nebraska was mounting an epic comeback attempt. Michigan State, up 27-9 only minutes before, gave up three fourth-quarter touchdowns, allowing Nebraska to pull within five points. The Huskers, with 1:07 on the clock and the ball, drove into MSU territory before the interception sealed the Spartans' 27-22 victory.
There's plenty to go over from both teams, so let's dive right in!
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Pass Offense | C | B- |
| Run Offense | D | D |
| Pass Defense | B | B+ |
| Run Defense | C | C- |
| Special Teams | Inc. | A- |
| Coaching | C | B+ |
Nebraska Passing Offense
The evening didn't start off all that well for Tommy Armstrong and his receivers. Kenny Bell went down early to a leg injury and did not return. By halftime, Armstrong could only manage 72 yards on a 9-of-16 performance with one interception.
The second-half numbers look quite a bit better, thanks in large part to some big plays late in the comeback effort. Armstrong finished with 273 yards on a 20-of-43 night, while backup Ryker Fyfe pitched in nine yards on one completion.
Still, the passing game's grade is held low because of the failure to find the end zone and the two costly interceptions.
Nebraska Rushing Offense
This is where we were really surprised.
Ameer Abdullah came into this game leading not just the Big Ten but the entire FBS in rushing yards. He was averaging 166.6 yards per game. We didn't expect quite that level of production against a defense like Michigan State's, but we certainly didn't expect 1.9 yards per carry on 24 attempts.
MSU did a fine job of containing Abdullah, and the Nebraska running attack failed its first real test of 2014.
Nebraska Pass Defense
Nebraska's secondary did a nice job of limiting open throwing lanes for Connor Cook, but he was so accurate that he was still able to post 234 yards and a touchdown on just 11 completions.
Nebraska did come up with an interception on the evening, just moments into the game. Unfortunately, like so many of Nebraska's takeaways, the Huskers weren't able to convert that interception into points.
All in all, the pass defense put forth a solid performance. It was just not quite good enough to get a stop when it was needed to stop the bleeding early on.
Nebraska Run Defense
Considering Nebraska's defenders see a back like Ameer Abdullah every day in practice, we somehow expect the Huskers to be great against the run. On Saturday night, they weren't great.
Jeremy Langford gashed the Huskers for 111 yards on 29 attempts, and the Spartans were able to beat Nebraska on the edge most of the night. All told, the Spartans had 188 yards and two touchdowns against the Nebraska ground defense.
Nebraska Special Teams
Drew Brown connected on his only field-goal attempt of the night, but the real highlight was the punt return for a touchdown from De'Mornay Pierson-El late in the fourth quarter that gave Nebraska an opportunity to win the game.
When so many other facets of the Nebraska performance were lacking, we have no complaints about the special teams, which is why that unit earns a team-leading "A-minus."
Nebraska Coaching
We have to admit Bo Pelini didn't do the greatest of jobs in the first half. We get the weather was nasty. If you've never experienced a cold, rainy, windy October night in Michigan, you might also not understand why Pelini chose punts instead of field-goal attempts early in the game.
Yet, had those punts—many of which resulted in small net gains, thanks to touchbacks—been converted into just a few more points via intermediate-range field-goal attempts, the end result may have been very different.
After halftime, however, Pelini didn't let his troops give up. Nebraska clawed its way back into the game, and the coaching staff deserves as much credit as anyone for the dedication and belief Nebraska showed down the stretch.
| Pass Offense | B- | B+ |
| Run Offense | B+ | A- |
| Pass Defense | A- | B |
| Run Defense | A | A+ |
| Special Teams | A- | B- |
| Coaching | A | A- |
Michigan State Passing Offense
It's difficult to grade MSU's passing performance in this game. On one hand, Cook found room for 234 yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, he was just 11-of-29 with an interception.
Still, Cook was amazingly accurate when he needed to be, splitting the defense with his bullet-like passes right on the money. The effort was good enough to win, and Cook did find six different receivers, including Tony Lippett three times for 104 yards and a score.
Michigan State Rushing Offense
If we were going to pick one team to win the ground game, it wasn't going to be Michigan State. But with Jeremy Langford's 111 yards on 29 carries and the team's 188 total rushing yards, the Spartans completely eclipsed anything the Cornhuskers could do.
Michigan State Pass Defense
We were all set to give MSU high marks for a great effort against Nebraska's passing attack. The Spartans held Armstrong to just 9-of-16 for 72 yards and an interception in the first half. But with the late comeback attempt, Nebraska ended up with 282 total passing yards on the evening.
We will, however, hand out a little extra credit for the game-saving interception with just a few seconds left.
Michigan State Run Defense
Holy cow, what an effort. Abdullah is one of the most dynamic rushers in the nation, and the Spartans utterly shut him down in East Lansing.
Abdullah was held to a paltry 45 yards on 24 carries. He did get a pair of short touchdown runs in the second half, but MSU did a great job of limiting the big plays. Abdullah's long on the night was just nine yards.
Michigan State Special Teams
Talk about nearly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory...
Michigan State's special teams nearly gave the game away late with a missed field goal and shoddy coverage on a punt that resulted in Pierson-El's touchdown return, which cut the MSU lead to five points.
Michigan State survived, but it wasn't thanks to the special teams.
Michigan State Coaching
Mark Dantonio managed to smile a little bit after the game, but it was likely a smile of relief, not one of genuine happiness.
When Nebraska was mounting its final drive with 1:07 to go and just five points down, it was easy to imagine Michigan State rolling over given the comeback that was staring the Spartans squarely in the face.
Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi came down from the press box to talk to his defense face-to-face, and Dantonio kept his team's head in the right place long enough to pull it out late.
Unless otherwise noted, quotes or references to quotes were obtained firsthand by the writer.
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