Nebraska defeats Michigan State 38-27 aided by special teams plays

LINCOLN, Neb. Nebraska overcame early deficits and key special teams plays to defeat Michigan State 38-27 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, handing the Spartans their second straight loss and giving the Cornhuskers their first Big Ten victory of the season.

Nebraska seized momentum early when Jamir Conn blocked a Michigan State punt and Carter Nelson returned the loose ball for a touchdown, part of a sequence that produced 10 points off special teams miscues by the Spartans. Running back Emmett Johnson provided the finishing touches on offense, rushing for 83 yards and three touchdowns to pace Nebraska.

Michigan State rallied from a two-touchdown hole with a sustained 17-play, 75-yard drive in the second quarter, capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from backup Alessio Milivojevic, who was pressed into action after starter Aidan Chiles left briefly with an apparent head injury. Chiles returned before halftime but finished 9 of 23 for 85 yards, with two interceptions and two rushing touchdowns. Milivojevic completed 6 of 7 passes for 71 yards and added a touchdown run.

Nebraska sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola, the son of former Cornhusker and longtime NFL center Dominic Raiola,...