Michigan Stae 41, Nebraska 28
Running back Jeremy Langford rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns and the No. 16 Michigan State Spartans capitalized on five Nebraska Cornhuskers turnovers in a 41-28 victory in a Big Ten game on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.
The Spartans' first win over Nebraska in eight meetings clinched a share of the Big Ten Legends Division title and gave them the inside track to the conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.
Michigan State (9-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) closes the regular season with games at Northwestern next Saturday and at home against Minnesota the following week.
Nebraska (7-3, 4-2) closed to 27-21 late in the third quarter, but Michigan State answered the challenge with a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Cook to wide receiver Keith Mumphery. Cook, a first-year starter, completed 15 of 31 passes for 193 yards and no interceptions.
Langford wrapped up the scoring with a 37-yard touchdown run on the Spartans' final possession to cap his fifth consecutive 100-yard game.
Nebraska had some success moving the ball against Michigan State's stingy defense. The Spartans entered the game ranked No. 1 in FBS in total defense.
Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah, the Big Ten's leading rusher, ran for 123 yards on 22 carries, topping 100 yards for the seventh consecutive game. Michigan State had not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season.
The Cornhuskers finished with 392 total yards but were hurt by their mistakes. Four of the miscues came in the first half as the Spartans built a 20-7 lead by scoring 17 points off turnovers.
Michigan State's Michael Geiger kicked two field goals, running back R.J. Shelton scored in a 5-yard run and Langford went 6 yards for a touchdown in the first half.
Nebraska opening the second half with a quick strike when running back Imani Cross ran 51 yards for a touchdown with 11:25 left in the third quarter.
After a Michigan State punt, the Cornhuskers got the ball back at their own 1-yard line. But Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. fumbled the ball away at the 3 and Langford scored from there.
Nebraska responded with a 38-yard pass from Armstrong Jr. to Kenny Bell to cap a 79-yard drive and make it 27-21 with 1:12 left in the first quarter. Michigan State then put the game out of reach with Mumphery's touchdown catch and Langford's final scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Armstrong was 9-of-21 passing for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Bell had seven catches for 82 yards.
