Hold the Big Ten Legends Division coronation for Michigan State.
In its most complete performance to date, No. 13 Nebraska looked the Blackshirts of old in a 24-3 win over a No. 9 Michigan State that had been riding high after its thrilling 37-31 win over Wisconsin. What was encouraging about this win was how the Huskers won.
Nebraska’s offense had done much of the heavy lifting for most of the season while the much ballyhooed defense struggled.
The Huskers won on a day where they had a pedestrian but effective 270 yards of total offense against a Spartan defense that ranked that was ranked in the top ten in several categories. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead put on his hard hat and had 34 carries for 127 yards and two scores. He also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Taylor Martinez. Speaking of Martinez, the Huskers had zero passing yards in the first half. Martinez completed 8 of 14 passes for 83 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In the first half, he was 1 for 6 for zero yards and the aforementioned interception. In the second half, he completed 7 of 8 for 83 yards and score.
The Huskers led 10-3 at halftime despite having zero passing yards. Why? Because the defense looked like the unit that has performed at times in dominant fashion since Bo Pelini became the head coach in 2008.
On the game’s opening drive, the methodical Spartan offense was churning out successive fine-yard gains until Lance Thorell intercepted MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins and returned it to the Spartan 29. Seven plays later, Burkhead scored the first of his three touchdowns.
The Huskers limited MSU to just 11 first downs and 187 yards of total offense. Nebraska also sacked Cousins four times and limited the Spartans to just a 3 of 15 success rate on third down. Granted, the fact that Cousins is more of a dropback passer as opposed to the mobile ones that have given the Huskers trouble. However, regardless of style, the Husker tackling was cleaner than it has been all season long.
As a result, the Big Ten Legends division will most likely be a four way tie for first place with Michigan already winning and Iowa playing lowly Minnesota.
Things are going to get curiouser and curiouser
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