Huskers end Badgers hex, punch rare bowl ticket

Nov 23, 2024, 07:14 PM ET

LINCOLN, Neb.– Dylan Raiola tossed for 293 yards and a goal, Dante Dowdell ran for three ratings, and Nebraska beat Wisconsin 44-25 on Saturday to become qualified for a bowl for the very first time given that 2016.

Nebraska (6-5, 3-5 Huge Ten) stopped a four-game losing streak and beat the Badgers for the first time in 11 meetings. The Cornhuskers sprinted to the Wisconsin sideline as time ran out to claim the Liberty Prize as trainees put out of the stands onto the field to celebrate.The victory was

the Cornhuskers’ first in 9 tries under second-year coach Matt Rhule when playing for bowl eligibility.The Huskers entered the season with the longest bowl dry spell amongst power-conference groups and the program’s longest because 1955-61. UMass and Louisiana-Monroe, who last went to a championship game in 2012, are the only other FBS teams with longer dry spells than the Huskers.”The cloud that sort of hangs over whatever, it’s gone,”stated Rhule, who pictures bigger and much better things for the Huskers.”This will be the last time we ever celebrate 6 wins. “Wisconsin(5-6, 3-5)dropped its 4th straight game a week after it lost 16-13 to No. 1 Oregon, the Ducks’floor total of the season. “We played actually well versus the No. 1 group in the nation, and after that we come out today– and I’m not

stating Nebraska is not a great program, however they’re not No. 1 in the nation– and we quit three times the points to Nebraska, “Badgers defensive lineman Ben Barten stated.”This is on our defense today.”Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson went over 100 backyards for the very first time in his 27 career games, completing with 113 on 16 carries.The Huskers, who last year wasted an early 14-0 lead at Wisconsin and lost 24-17, came away with points on 6 straight belongings before Raiola kneeled a couple times as the clock was running down at the end. “I remember that feeling after going up 14-0 and not finishing that game, “Johnson said.” Finishing has been a focus in the offseason, and that’s what we did tonight. “Chants of” Go Big Red!” started echoing through Memorial Arena late in the 4th quarter after Dowdell dived over the stack for his

last goal, which gave Nebraska its most points in a game considering that 2021. Raiola finished 28 of 38 passes, with 8 choosing a minimum of 15 yards. His 5-yard TD pass to Jahmal Banks late in the second quarter assisted the Huskers to a 24-10 halftime lead.Braedyn Locke was 20-of-30 for 292 lawns and 3 touchdowns. His fourth-quarter interception extended his streak of getting picked off at least once to eight games.The loss came at completion of a tumultuous week for the Badgers. Coach Luke Fickell fired offensive planner Phil Longo on Sunday and held a contentious news conference 2 days later where he decreased

to state who would be the playcaller moving forward. Tight ends coach Nate Letton called the plays versus Nebraska, the Big 10 Network reported.Wisconsin also was short-handed on both sides of the ball. Will Pauling, who leads the team in receptions, and safety Hunter Wohler, the top tackler, were held out with injuries.” I do not have any reasons,” Fickell stated.”We didn’t play complementary football

the method we need to on the roadway. It grew out of control. We played truly, really bad, especially taking on in the second half. We have actually got to challenge ourselves, look genuine deep in a brief week and discover who’s with us and who wants to lay it all out on the line for these seniors turning up. “The takeaway for Wisconsin: The Badgers will have to beat Minnesota in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe to avoid their very first losing record considering that 2001 and an end to their 22-year bowl streak.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.