Northwestern University

Nebraska grinds out winning touchdown drive after blowing lead, beats Northwestern 28-21

Posted October 25, 2025 2:47 pm

By ERIC OLSON

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs in for a touchdown against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan) (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)

LINCOLN, Neb. — Emmett Johnson scored the tiebreaking touchdown on a 4-yard run with 2:44 left, and Nebraska ended Northwestern's four-game winning streak with a 28-21 victory Saturday to become bowl eligible for the second straight season.

The Cornhuskers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) bounced back from a loss at Minnesota last week, but not before some anxious moments after they squandered a 15-point lead.

Dylan Raiola converted four third-down passes on the winning 13-play, 64-yard drive that chewed 6:27 off the clock. The Wildcats (5-3, 3-2) turned the ball over on downs, and Nebraska ran out the clock.

Johnson had a career-high 27 carries and finished with 124 yards as Nebraska leaned into the run game after Minnesota sacked Raiola nine times. Raiola was 16 of 22, his second-fewest attempts in 21 career games, for 141 yards.

The Huskers had led 21-6 midway through the third quarter after Kenneth Williams’ 95-yard kick return and Nyziah Hunter’s diving catch for a touchdown.

The Wildcats drove 78 yards to pull within 21-13 on Caleb Komolafe’s 4-yard run, and on their next possession Komolafe bounced to the outside and ran free for a 56-yard TD. Preston Stone threw to Hayden Eligon II under pressure for the 2-point conversion to make it 21-all.

Northwestern was in position to take the lead when Mac Uihlein picked off Raiola to set up the Wildcats at the Nebraska 34, but the Huskers got the ball back when Stone threw an interception over the middle to waiting linebacker Javin Wright.

Eleven of the last 14 meetings have been one-score games.

The takeaway

Northwestern: The Wildcats' rally was impressive, but they struggle to consistently produce offense against quality Big Ten defenses.

Nebraska: Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen came up with a good game plan to keep Raiola upright, feeding the ball to Johnson and calling more quick passes, especially in the first half.

Up next

Northwestern: visits Southern California on Nov. 7.

Nebraska: hosts USC on Saturday.

Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone (8) hands off the ball to running back Caleb Komolafe (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan) (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)

Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson (35) carries the ball past Northwestern defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan) (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)

Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe (5) carries the ball ahead of Nebraska defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri (96) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan) (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks to pass against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan) (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)