Nebraska edges Northwestern 28-21 in back-and-forth Big Ten battle
Nebraska defeated Northwestern 28-21 on Saturday in a competitive Week 9 matchup that saw four lead changes. The home team's defense proved decisive, with Nebraska's defense generating the game's most impactful play—a 56-yard rushing touchdown by Northwestern's C. Komolafe in the fourth quarter that ultimately fell short of securing victory.
Northwestern's Preston Stone led the passing game with 159 yards, connecting with receivers including G. Wilde on a 37-yard deep completion in the first quarter. Nebraska's offense was led by quarterback D. Raiola, who completed passes to N. Hunter for 70 receiving yards.
The scoring was distributed throughout the contest, with Nebraska dominating the third quarter (14 points) while Northwestern found offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter (8 points). Nebraska built an early 7-3 first-quarter advantage and never relinquished the lead despite Northwestern's late push.
The game exceeded the over-under of 44.5 total points, finishing with a combined 49 points. The spread of -7.0 resulted in a push.
AI-generated recap · Aug 3, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Northwestern | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 21 |
 Nebraska | 7 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 28 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Northwestern | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 15-29 | 16-22 |
| Pass Yards | 159 | 141 |
| Rush Yards | 172 | 155 |
| Total Yards | 331 | 296 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd Down | 7-14 | 6-12 |
| Penalties | 3-29 | 4-39 |
| Possession | 29:44 | 30:16 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
(15:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU 29, for 4 yards to the NU 29 (#21 R.Guthrie)
(14:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 3 yards gain to the NU 32 (#97 K.Davis; #96 W.Nwaneri)
(13:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 36 (#16 E.Jeudy), 1ST DOWN
PENALTY NU False Start (#60 E.Beerntsen) 5 yards from NU 36 to NU 31. NO PLAY
(12:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 34 (#33 M.Watson-Trent; #9 V.Shavers Jr.)
(12:09) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #19 D.Wagner thrown to NEB44 QB hurried by #15 D.McCullough
(12:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NU 49
(12:00) #11 L.Akers punt 35 yards to the NEB31
(11:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NEB36 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(11:22) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #13 N.Hunter caught at NEB41, for 5 yards to the NEB41 (#2 F.Davis II), 1ST DOWN
(10:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short middle to #13 N.Hunter caught at NU 50, for 26 yards to the NU 33 (#91 A.Hubbard), 1ST DOWN
(10:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 7 yards gain to the NU 26 (#18 G.Wallace)
(09:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU 21 (#95 N.Story), 1ST DOWN
(09:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass incomplete short right to #19 C.Mills Jr. thrown to NU 05 QB hurried by #47 M.Kilbane
(09:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 8 yards gain to the NU 13 (#6 R.Fitzgerald; #37 M.Uihlein)
(08:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 09 (#33 B.Brus; #21 D.Walters), 1ST DOWN
(07:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush left for 9 yards gain to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:49 #91 K.Cunanan kick attempt good (H: #37 K.Koch, LS: #46 K.Gallic)
(07:49) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #5 C.Komolafe thrown to NU 29
(07:44) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 4 yards gain to the NU 29 (#21 R.Guthrie)
(06:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NEB39, for 37 yards to the NEB34 (#10 A.Marshall), 1ST DOWN
(06:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 8 yards gain to the NEB26 (#96 W.Nwaneri; #16 E.Jeudy)
(05:44) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NEB24, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(05:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 0 yards to the NEB24 (#37 D.Jones)
(04:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #6 J.Himon II caught at NEB28, for 2 yards to the NEB22 (#8 D.Singleton)
(03:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #10 R.Ahumaraeze thrown to NEB04 broken up by #1 C.Wright
(03:29) #82 J.Olsen field goal attempt from 40 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine), clock 03:28
(03:21) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola rush left for 6 yards gain to the NEB40, End Of Play
(02:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 15 yards gain to the NU 45 (#91 A.Hubbard), 1ST DOWN
(02:09) No Huddle #15 D.Raiola pass incomplete short right thrown to NU 30 QB hurried by #91 A.Hubbard
(02:01) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #35 M.Nelson caught at NU 47, for 6 yards to the NU 39 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(01:21) No Huddle-Shotgun #22 I.Mozee rush right for 3 yards gain to the NU 36 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(00:41) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 35 (#47 M.Kilbane), 1ST DOWN
(15:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.Barney Jr. rush left for 7 yards gain to the NU 28 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), out of bounds
(14:14) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 27 (#6 R.Fitzgerald; #1 C.Bastone)
(13:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #2 J.Barney Jr. caught at NU 26, for 1 yard to the NU 26 (#18 G.Wallace)
(12:54) No Huddle #10 H.Haarberg rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 25 (#37 M.Uihlein), 1ST DOWN. NU is challenging the ruling on the field - "First down". CALL UPHELD
(12:18) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 1 yard gain to the NU 24 (#1 C.Bastone; #47 M.Kilbane)
(11:46) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola sacked for loss of 9 yards to the NU 33 (#91 A.Hubbard). #65 T.Prochazka injured on the play
(11:26) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #13 N.Hunter caught at NU 37, for 7 yards to the NU 26 (#18 G.Wallace; #91 A.Hubbard)
(10:48) #91 K.Cunanan field goal attempt from 44 yards NO GOOD (H: #37 K.Koch, LS: #46 K.Gallic), clock 10:44
(10:42) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 27 (#40 D.Merritt)
(10:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 8 yards gain to the NU 35 (#1 C.Wright)
(09:25) No Huddle #8 P.Stone rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 37 (#57 A.Murphy), 1ST DOWN
(08:46) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #84 H.Welcing caught at NU 34, for 7 yards to the NU 44, out of bounds at NU 44
(08:02) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe thrown to NEB48
(07:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush right for 5 yards gain to the NU 49 (#9 V.Shavers Jr.; #21 R.Guthrie), 1ST DOWN, PENALTY NEB Offside declined
(07:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NEB45 (#5 R.Van Poppel)
(06:59) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone rush middle for 1 yard loss to the NEB46 fumbled by #8 P.Stone at NEB46 recovered by NU #60 E.Beerntsen at NEB46, End Of Play
(06:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #19 D.Wagner caught at NEB45, for 12 yards to the NEB34 (#1 C.Wright; #8 D.Singleton), 1ST DOWN
(05:26) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #86 L.Albright caught at NEB30, for 4 yards to the NEB30 (#21 R.Guthrie)
(04:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 20 yards gain to the NEB10 (#1 C.Wright; #37 D.Jones), 1ST DOWN
(03:57) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #5 C.Komolafe thrown to NEB05 broken up by #93 K.Pietrzak
(03:53) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 0 yards to the NEB10 (#5 R.Van Poppel)
(03:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #6 J.Himon II caught at NEB14, for 3 yards to the NEB07 (#37 D.Jones; #3 M.Buford Jr.)
#82 J.Olsen field goal attempt from 25 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine), clock 03:01
(03:01) No Huddle #13 N.Hunter rush right for 3 yards loss to the NEB22 (#2 F.Davis II), out of bounds PENALTY NEB Illegal Motion declined
(02:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 15 yards gain to the NEB37 (#4 A.Saka), 1ST DOWN
(02:20) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #6 D.Key caught at NEB40, for 7 yards to the NEB44, out of bounds at NEB44. #13 J.Fussell injured on the play
(02:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #22 I.Mozee rush middle for 21 yards gain to the NU 35 (#9 B.Turner), 1ST DOWN
(01:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass incomplete deep right to #6 D.Key thrown to NU 15 broken up by #12 E.Smith
(01:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 6 yards loss to the NU 41 (#91 A.Hubbard)
(01:08) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #44 L.Lindenmeyer caught at NU 34, for 15 yards to the NU 26 (#33 B.Brus)
(00:38) No Huddle #15 D.Raiola rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 24 fumbled by #15 D.Raiola at NU 24 forced by #9 B.Turner recovered by NU #2 F.Davis II at NU 24, End Of Play
(00:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 27 (#21 R.Guthrie; #9 V.Shavers Jr.)
PENALTY NEB UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (#35 M.Nelson) 15 yards from NU 25 to NU 40, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(14:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 42 (#37 D.Jones; #11 C.Lenhardt)
(14:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #80 H.Eligon II caught at NU 48, for 6 yards to the NU 48 (#37 D.Jones)
(13:22) No Huddle #8 P.Stone rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 50 (#16 E.Jeudy), 1ST DOWN
(12:46) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 3 yards gain to the NEB47 (#8 D.Singleton; #21 R.Guthrie)
(12:03) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NEB42
(12:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #19 D.Wagner thrown to NEB35
(11:55) #11 L.Akers punt 36 yards to the NEB11 fair catch by #2 J.Barney Jr. at NEB11
(11:47) No Huddle #21 E.Johnson rush left for 8 yards gain to the NEB19 (#47 M.Kilbane)
(11:17) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NEB23 (#47 M.Kilbane), 1ST DOWN
(10:46) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.Barney Jr. rush right for 3 yards loss to the NEB20 (#6 R.Fitzgerald). #6 R.Fitzgerald injured on the play
(10:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #22 I.Mozee rush left for 4 yards gain to the NEB24 (#95 N.Story; #47 M.Kilbane)
(09:39) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #21 E.Johnson caught at NEB29, for 8 yards to the NEB32 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(08:52) #83 A.Wilson punt 53 yards to the NU 15 #19 D.Wagner return 0 yards to the NU 15 (#46 K.Gallic)
(08:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass intercepted by #37 D.Jones at NU 32, End Of Play
(08:26) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 28 (#52 R.Hagarty) PENALTY NU Personal Foul (#12 E.Smith) 14 yards from NU 28 to NU 14, 1ST DOWN
(08:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 2 yards gain to the NU 12 (#1 C.Bastone; #37 M.Uihlein)
(07:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #13 N.Hunter caught at NU 00, for 12 yards to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:39, 1ST DOWN #91 K.Cunanan kick attempt good (H: #37 K.Koch, LS: #46 K.Gallic)
(07:33) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 2 yards gain to the NU 24 (#97 K.Davis)
(06:53) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #80 H.Eligon II caught at NU 41, for 30 yards to the NEB46 (#10 A.Marshall), 1ST DOWN
PENALTY NEB Offside 5 yards from NEB46 to NEB41. NO PLAY
(05:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NEB36 (#21 R.Guthrie), 1ST DOWN
(04:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #17 G.Wilde rush left for 5 yards gain to the NEB31 (#9 V.Shavers Jr.)
(04:17) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NEB29 (#11 C.Lenhardt; #9 V.Shavers Jr.)
(03:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #19 D.Wagner thrown to NEB09. #16 E.Jeudy injured on the play
(03:32) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #80 H.Eligon II caught at NEB25, for 4 yards to the NEB25 (#37 D.Jones), 1ST DOWN. The previous play is under automatic review - "First down". CALL UPHELD
(02:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush right for 17 yards gain to the NEB08 (#1 C.Wright), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY NEB Face Mask (#1 C.Wright) 4 yards from NEB08 to NEB04, 1ST DOWN
(02:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 4 yards gain to the NEB00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:25 #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(02:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NEB27 (#37 M.Uihlein; #33 B.Brus)
(01:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short middle to #2 J.Barney Jr. caught at NEB32, for 5 yards to the NEB32 (#33 B.Brus)
(01:03) No Huddle #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NEB34 (#15 B.Flakes), 1ST DOWN
(00:24) No Huddle #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NEB39 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(15:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush left for 1 yard gain to the NEB40 (#33 B.Brus)
(14:21) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #6 D.Key caught at NEB42, for 2 yards to the NEB42 (#2 F.Davis II)
(13:37) #83 A.Wilson punt 58 yards to the NU 00, Touchback
(13:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 21 (#5 R.Van Poppel)
(12:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to NU 48 PENALTY NEB Pass Interference (#10 A.Marshall) 15 yards from NU 21 to NU 36, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(12:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 0 yards to the NU 36 (#37 D.Jones)
(11:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #80 H.Eligon II caught at NU 44, for 8 yards to the NU 44 (#21 R.Guthrie)
(11:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 56 yards gain to the NEB00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:16, 1ST DOWN #80 H.Eligon II pass attempt Successful
(11:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass intercepted by #37 M.Uihlein at NEB39 #37 M.Uihlein return 5 yards to the NEB34 (#2 J.Barney Jr.)
(11:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #6 J.Himon II caught at NEB33, for 3 yards to the NEB31 (#0 J.Wright), out of bounds
(10:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Himon II rush right for 3 yards gain to the NEB28 (#11 C.Lenhardt)
(09:41) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 2 yards gain (2) to the NEB26 (#8 D.Singleton) PENALTY NU Holding (#75 M.Lewis) 10 yards from NEB26 to NEB36
(09:18) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass intercepted by #0 J.Wright at NEB22 #0 J.Wright return 14 yards to the NEB36 (#84 H.Welcing; #5 C.Komolafe)
(09:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass incomplete deep right to #13 N.Hunter thrown to NU 23
(09:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush right for 3 yards gain to the NEB39 (#52 R.Hagarty)
(08:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #21 E.Johnson caught at NEB46, for 7 yards to the NEB46 (#12 E.Smith), 1ST DOWN
(07:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NEB48 (#95 N.Story)
(07:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #13 N.Hunter caught at NEB49, for 1 yard to the NEB49 (#47 M.Kilbane)
(06:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #13 N.Hunter caught at NU 35, for 19 yards to the NU 32 (#2 F.Davis II), 1ST DOWN. #91 A.Hubbard injured on the play
(06:12) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU 29 (#47 M.Kilbane; #37 M.Uihlein)
(05:37) Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass incomplete deep left to #6 D.Key thrown to NU 03
(05:31) Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short left to #6 D.Key caught at NU 25, for 13 yards to the NU 16 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(04:45) No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.Barney Jr. rush right for 4 yards gain to the NU 12 (#12 E.Smith)
(04:10) No Huddle #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU 11 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(03:31) Shotgun #15 D.Raiola pass complete short right to #2 J.Barney Jr. caught at NU 04, for 7 yards to the NU 04 (#33 B.Brus), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(02:49) Shotgun #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:44. The previous play is under automatic review - "Runner broke the plane". CALL UPHELD #91 K.Cunanan kick attempt good (H: #37 K.Koch, LS: #46 K.Gallic)
(02:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU 39, for 13 yards to the NU 39 (#13 J.Conn), 1ST DOWN
(02:11) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep right to #84 H.Welcing caught at NEB39, for 22 yards to the NEB39, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(02:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #84 H.Welcing thrown to NEB24
(01:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #6 J.Himon II caught at NEB43, for 4 yards to the NEB35 (#9 V.Shavers Jr.)
(01:21) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #5 C.Komolafe thrown to NEB25 QB hurried by #96 W.Nwaneri
(01:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NEB03 QB hurried by #0 J.Wright, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(01:13) #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 7 yards gain to the NEB42 (#18 G.Wallace)
(01:07) #21 E.Johnson rush middle for 9 yards gain to the NU 49, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(00:34) Kneel down by #15 D.Raiola at NEB49 for loss of 2 yards