Michigan State Vs. Nebraska Final Score: Spartans Run Over In 24-3 Loss To Cornhuskers

Did somebody get the license plate number on that Nebraska running back?

Tailback Rex Burkhead ran over the Michigan State defense for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries, leading the Cornhuskers to a 24-3 victory over the Spartans in Lincoln. Burkhead also added a 27-yard touchdown catch in a dominant performance against a formidable MSU defensive unit.

The loss could turn out to be a key blow for Michigan State. Not only do the Spartans now fall into what could be a four-way tie at the top of the Big Ten’s Legends Division with a 3-1 record, but if MSU and Nebraska remain deadlocked, the Cornhuskers will win the tiebreaker based on head-to-head results. That’s certainly a disappointment after the Spartans’ biggest win of the season last week over Wisconsin.

Michigan State’s offense just could not establish itself against Nebraska’s defense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled from the start, throwing an interception on the Spartans’ first possession that set Nebraska up to take an early 7-0 lead.

Overall, Cousins threw for 87 yards, completing 11 of 27 passes. Obviously, that is not the sort of performance the Spartans needed from their senior quarterback in what could be MSU’s toughest road test of the season. But the Nebraska pass rush had a lot to do with that, getting in Cousins’ face all day and sacking him four times.

Michigan State had some success in the running game, but neither of the Spartans’ tailbacks could establish themselves. Le’Veon Bell ran for 58 yards on 12 carries, while Edwin Baker added 38 yards on 10 rushes. Again, not nearly the sort of production MSU needed to possess the ball and help keep an explosive Nebraska offense off the field. Of course, the running game was largely abandoned once the Spartans fell further behind.

There are few games Michigan State could win with only 187 yards of total offense. Beating what could be one of the best teams in the Big Ten certainly isn’t going to happen with that lack of production.

As mentioned, MSU drops to 3-1 in conference play and is currently tied with Michigan and Nebraska for first in the Legends Division. Iowa could join them and create a four-way tie if the Hawkeyes defeat Minnesota on Saturday.

The Spartans host Minnesota next week and will likely right themselves against the Golden Gophers. That will set up a showdown the following week with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City that could create some separation in the Legends Division.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska Score: Cornhuskers Pulling Away To 24-3 Lead In 3rd Quarter

The Legends Division in the Big Ten is about to get pretty tight at the top. Nebraska has built on its seven-point halftime margin and built a 24-3 lead over Michigan State after three quarters of play in Lincoln.

The Spartans’ defense has no answer for Nebraska tailback Rex Burkhead. The junior has 111 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, as the Cornhuskers’ running game has asserted itself and taken control of the game.

With Burkhead’s performance, Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez really hasn’t had to do much else to help the offense, though he’s accounted for 105 yards of total offense. He and Burkhead connected on a 27-yard score just before the end of the third quarter.

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins has struggled, preventing the Spartans from getting back into the game. His first-quarter interception led to Nebraska’s initial touchdown, and the Huskers’ defense hasn’t allowed Cousins to get into any sort of rhythm.

Cousins has completed only 8 of 22 passes for 69 yards as the third quarter ended. Five of those completions went to Keshawn Martin, who has 58 yards receiving thus far.

The running game has had moderate success, with Le’Veon Bell rushing for 58 yards. But it hasn’t been nearly enough to jumpstart the MSU offense. And as the Spartans fall further behind in this game, the passing game will have to take precedence.

Michigan State has the ball as the fourth quarter begins. But they will need to break out for a touchdown soon if they hope to get back into this game.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska Score: Spartans Trail 10-3 At Halftime After Dan Conroy Field Goal

The Cornhuskers, with a 10-0 lead, started the second quarter with the ball and a 3rd-and-10. What followed was a rush for no gain and they were forced to punt. The Spartans started on their own 38-yard line, but their passing woes continued, failing to move the ball when they needed to through the air and, again, were forced to punt. The teams would go on to exchange punts yet again.

A break came for the Spartans after that, when Taylor Martinez was intercepted by Johnny Adams and set up a 25-yard return to the Nebraska 28-yard line. Michigan State's offense continues to struggle, but they did end up getting a first down and put the ball on the 11-yard line. Kirk Cousins threw two quick incompletions and they called on Dan Conroy to kick the 28-yard field goal.

Nebraska got the ball back and started driving, but as they spent timeouts and tried to get within field goal range, Michigan State's defense tightened up and forced a loss of yardage on two consecutive plays, bringing the half to an end with Nebraska ahead 10-3.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska Score: Spartans Trail Cornhuskers 10-0 After 1st Quarter

Coming off their biggest win of the season last Saturday against Wisconsin, Michigan State is off to a slow start in another key Big Ten clash versus Nebraska. The Spartans trail the Cornhuskers 10-0 after one quarter of play in Lincoln.

MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins threw an interception on the sixth play of the game. Defensive back Lance Thorell picked Cousins off at midfield and returned the ball to the Spartans’ 25-yard line.

With a short field, Nebraska scored the first touchdown of the game on a seven-play drive. Tailback Rex Burkhead rushed for 18 yards on the drive, ending it with a one-yard scoring run.

On Nebraska’s third possession of the game, a 39-yard run by receiver Tim Marlowe moved the Cornhuskers to the MSU one-yard line. Nebraska was working with a short field after a poor punt by Mike Sadler. The Spartans’ defense held tough after Marlowe’s big run, however, keeping Nebraska out of the end zone on three running plays and forcing the Huskers to settle for a field goal.

Nebraska has the ball as the second quarter begins.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska: Game Time, TV Schedule, Streaming And More

The Michigan State Spartans are set to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a very important matchup on Saturday. If the Spartans get a win over the Cornhuskers, it would put them on the inside track to the Legends Division title and a spot in the Big Ten championship game. After this game, the Spartans see their schedule open up and look pretty easy the remainder of the season. The Cornhuskers mark their third straight ranked opponent, and after knocking out Wisconsin the week prior, the Spartans are clearly the favorites.

The preview is where you'll find most of the information about what this game means for the Spartans and how the two teams match up, so be sure to check it out. For now, a look at the start time, TV details and more is below.

Game Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Radio: Spartans Radio

Spread: Nebraska by 4

Check out our Michigan State/Nebraska StoryStream throughout the day for updates on the game.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska: The Only Colors Hopes To Avoid A Letdown

Michigan State's dramatic win over Wisconsin on Saturday evening is being regarded as the game of the Year so far in the Big Ten. Knowing the remaining schedule, however, had the Spartans thinking about a Legends Division title almost as soon as Kirk Cousins' pass to Keith Nichol was ruled a touchdown. Three of Michigan State's final four opponents have yet to win a game in Big Ten play, but before that stretch they must avoid a letdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers according to The Only Colors:

While the Spartans have already had a successful season, a win in their first meeting since the 2003 Alamo Bowl would cement October of 2011 as one of the legendary months (if such a thing has been ever defined) in MSU football history.

A victory over Nebraska would cap a Spartan run through Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Those four teams are regarded as four of the historically best programs in the conference. Already Michigan State is just the second team in league history to beat Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin in consecutive games.

Michigan State Vs. Nebraska: Spartans, Cornhuskers Meet In Key Legends Division Matchup

For more on Michigan State, check out The Only Colors, and for more on the Big Ten, check out Off Tackle Empire.