LINCOLN,Neb.- Tehโ No. 21 Michigan Wolverines decisively opened their Big Ten schedule Saturday, overpowering โคNebraska 45-17 with โa dominant rushing โคattack at Memorial Stadium. Michigan’s ground game proved unstoppable, amassing 320 โrushing yards and four touchdowns, effectively controlling the โclock and dictating the game’s tempo.
The victory marks a strongโฃ start for Michigan in conference play, signaling their intentโค to contend in the Big Ten. Nebraska, still seeking consistency under coach Matt Rhule, struggled to โcontainโข Michigan’s offensive pressure and establish its own rhythm. This result underscores the challenges facing the Huskers as they navigate a demandingโ conferenceโฃ schedule,while simultaneously highlighting Michigan’s potential as a force in the Big Tenโ championship race.
Michigan quarterback J.J. โMcCarthy completed 12 of 19โ passes for 156 yards โand a touchdown,โค efficiently managing the offense and complementing the powerful run game. Running back Blake Corum led the Wolverines’ rushing effort with 128โฃ yards and two touchdowns, consistently finding โlanesโ and breaking tackles. Kalel Mullings added 58 yards and a touchdown, while โคLeon โคFranklin also contributed a rushing score.
Nebraska โคquarterback Heinrich Haarberg completed 15 โคof 26โข passes for โข169 yards and aโ touchdown,โฃ but the Huskers’โฃ offense โwas hampered by Michigan’s relentless defensiveโค pressure and inabilityโ to establish a consistent running game. Nebraska managed only 89 โฃrushing yards.
Michigan took control early, building a 28-10 halftime lead.โฃ The Wolverines continued to extend their advantage in the second half, ultimately securing a commanding victory. The win โคimproves Michigan’s overall record to 5-1, while Nebraska falls to 3-3. Michigan will return home next week to face Indiana, whileโ Nebraska will travelโ toโค Northwestern.