3 takeaways from Nebraska football’s win over Michigan State

Saturday’s game against Michigan State didn’t go exactly as it was expected to go for Nebraska football, but the result was a win all the same.

That’s what matters. That’s the impact of Matt Rhule, Dylan Raiola, and others.

A few years ago — maybe even last season — Nebraska might have found a way to lose against Michigan State. The Huskers were trailing 21-14 in the second half after an array of errors, mostly by the offensive line.

Raiola, who was far from perfect, delivered a big-time throw. Jacory Barney did what he does, and Emmett Johnson found the end zone, two times in the second half, once to tie the score, and another time to put in the dagger.

Some Nebraska football fans will surely complain about this win. There are things to complain about. But 4-1 is 4-1.

Here are three takeaways from the 38-27 win.

Emmett Johnson deserves the game ball

Plenty of players contributed to this win. But Johnson’s 23-yard touchdown run was the play that brought the belief back, at least for me.

Johnson only carried the ball 13 times on Saturday. He probably deserved more, but he turned that into 83 yards and three touchdowns. It was curious that he wasn’t involved more as a receiver.

Yet, it doesn’t really matter. Johnson averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt and showed once again that he’s one of the best running backs in the Big Ten.

Nebraska might not win this game without him.

Pass protection is a problem

Matt Rhule said he felt good about the plan at offensive tackle this week; however, the Huskers allowed five sacks to Michigan State, which had six sacks all season before Saturday.

In four games not against Nebraska this season, Michigan has seven sacks, as many as the Wolverines had in one game against the Huskers. They got just one sack against Wisconsin on Saturday.

The Spartans sacked Raiola five times and nearly ruined the game. Two or three offensive possessions on the plus side of the field were ruined.

Raiola shoulders some of the blame, but pass protection remains a big problem.

Special teams impacted the game in a huge way

Nebraska football doesn’t win this game without a stellar effort from the special teams. The Huskers blocked a punt in the first half, returning it for a touchdown. Barney also routinely gave Nebraska good field position.

Kyle Cunanan made his one field-goal attempt, which was to break the tie in a 21-21 game. There was a missed fake punt, but outside of that, the special teams were damn-near perfect.

Archie Wilson had a good day punting. The return game is a weapon, and Mike Ekeler — he might be a miracle worker.

Check that, Ekeler is a miracle worker, because Nebraska’s special teams are actually good.

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