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Huskers deliver 'most complete' game to clinch bowl eligibility
Lincoln - Nebraska played one of its most complete football games of the season on its way to a 44-25 Big Ten victory over Wisconsin to capture the Freedom Trophy on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, which came in front of 86,923 fans in the 403rd consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska improved to 6-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten, while Wisconsin slipped to 5-6 and 3-5 in the conference. The win in NU's final home game at Memorial Stadium this season made the Big Red bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
Emmett Johnson carried the day on the offensive side of the ball. The sophomore running back from Minneapolis rushed 16 times for a career-high 113 yards to give the Big Red its first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Johnson added 85 yards on six catches as he finished with 198 all-purpose yards.
Fellow sophomore running back Dante Dowdell contributed 10 carries for 41 yards and three rushing touchdowns, as the Huskers outgained Wisconsin, 183-103 on the ground as part of Nebraska's 473 total yards. Dowdell increased his season total to 11 rushing touchdowns.
Dylan Raiola was efficient pulling the strings on the Husker offense, as the freshman quarterback completed 28-of-38 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown. The Husker offensive line kept the Badger defense at bay, holding Wisconsin without a sack and allowing just one quarterback hurry.
Jacory Barney Jr. hauled in a team-high nine receptions to match Johnson with 85 receiving yards, while Jahmal Banks added four receptions for 52 yards, including a touchdown.
The Blackshirts also frustrated Wisconsin for most of the day, including turning away the Badgers on a pair of short fields in the first half. Husker defensive tackle Nash Hutmacher also forced a fumble that was recovered by Stefon Thompson with 11 seconds left in the first half that the Husker special teams turned into a field goal with two seconds left to send Nebraska to the locker room with a 24-10 halftime lead.
The defense opened the second half by forcing a three-and-out and the Husker offense and special teams responded with a march that resulted in a 45-yard John Hohl field goal to put Nebraska up by three scores for the first time at 27-10.
DeShon Singleton led Nebraska with six tackles and his interception late in the fourth quarter any hopes of a miraculous Wisconsin comeback. Isaac Gifford contributed six tackles of his own while Malcolm Hartzog Jr. and Ty Robinson each finished with five stops.
Hohl enjoyed another strong day by going 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts and 5-for-5 on extra points, while Brian Buschini booted two punts for an average of 50.5 yards.
Nebraska closes the regular season on Friday at Iowa. Kick-off with the Hawkeyes is set for 6:30 p.m. with live television coverage provided by NBC Sports and Peacock.
Game Summary
Nebraska - 44
Wisconsin - 25
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024
Lincoln, Neb.
Memorial Stadium (Attendance: 86,923)
First Quarter (7-7)
NEB - 12:07 - Heinrich Haarberg 5 run (John Hohl kick), 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:44 - NEB 7-0
WIS - 8:52 - Bryson Green 4 pass from Braedyn Locke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 6 plays, 82 yards, 3:11 - 7-7
Second Quarter (NEB 24-10)
NEB - 14:18 - Dante Dowdell 12 run (Hohl kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:45 - NEB 14-7
WIS - 9:58 - Vakos 33 FG, 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:12 - NEB 14-10
NEB - 0:17 - Jahmal Banks 5 pass from Dylan Raiola (Hohl kick), 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:00 - NEB 21-10
NEB - 0:02 - Hohl 37 FG, 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:09, NEB 24-10
Third Quarter (NEB 34-17)
NEB - 11:18 - Hohl 45 FG, 9 plays, 46 yards, 2:44 - NEB 27-10
NEB - 3:07 - Dowdell 3 run (Hohl kick), 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:18 - NEB 34-10
WIS - 1:19 - Green 24 pass from Locke (Vakos kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, 1:44 - NEB 34-17
Fourth Quarter (44-25)
NEB - 10:52 - Hohl 26 FG, 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:27 - NEB 37-17
WIS - 8:30 - Vinny Anthony II 58 pass from Locke (2 PAT - Green pass from Locke), 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:22 - NEB 37-25
NEB - 3:11 - Dowdell 1 run (Hohl kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:19 - NEB 44-25