Nebraska scored 10 points in the last 17 seconds of the first half and Wisconsin couldn’t recover, losing 44-25 in the Big Ten Conference matchup in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday afternoon.
Cornhuskers freshman Dylan Raiola threw for 293 yards and one touchdown — the first of the two scores just before halftime. Dante Dowdell rushed for three touchdowns and Heinrich Haarberg added another for Nebraska (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten), which became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.
Braedyn Locke threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns — two to Bryson Green — for Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5), which lost its fourth straight game. He was intercepted once.
The Badgers missed two field goals in the first half, and their fumble set up a Nebraska field goal with two seconds left in the half for a 24-10 lead.
Emmett Johnson racked up 113 yards on 16 rushes and 85 yards on six catches for Nebraska, which had a season high in points scored. Vinny Anthony II made seven catches for 137 yards and a long touchdown for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin needs to beat Minnesota on Friday to extend its streak of bowl game seasons to 23.
The Cornhuskers amassed 473 yards to 407 for the Badgers and led in first downs 29-15.
Nebraska’s defense took over to start the second half, forcing a punt on Wisconsin’s first possession. The Cornhuskers then drove for John Hohl’s 45-yard field goal, which extended the cushion to 27-10.
The Badgers tried to rally, driving to Nebraska’s 25-yard line, but they failed to convert a fourth-and-2. It took the Cornhuskers only seven plays to capitalize, with Dowdell rushing in from 3 yards out for a 34-10 lead.
Green’s 24-yard catch later in the third quarter and a 58-yard bomb to Anthony in the fourth sandwiched Hohl’s 26-yard field goal.
With just under 10 minutes left in the second quarter, Nathanial Vakos pulled Wisconsin within 14-10 on a 33-yard field goal. On their next possession, Vakos missed his second field goal in three attempts, this one from 41 yards.
The Cornhuskers then went 76 yards on 10 plays, capped by Jahmal Banks’ 5-yard touchdown catch with 17 seconds left for a 21-10 lead.
After a touchback on the kickoff, Wisconsin’s Tawee Walker fumbled on the first play, and Nebraska recovered at the Badgers’ 31. Hohl cashed in with a 37-yard field goal with two seconds left before the break.
–Field Level Media
