Michigan State Spartans vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Match Player Stats On Oct 29, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 29, 2011

Rex Burkhead scored three touchdowns and No. 13 Nebraska’s defense stifled No. 10 Michigan State in a 24-3 victory on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

The win moved the Huskers (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) into a tie with the Spartans (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) atop the Big Ten Legends Division. Michigan also won Saturday and Iowa was scheduled to play later at Minnesota, so there could be a four-way tie for first place by the end of the day.

Burkhead was Nebraska’s workhorse all afternoon, rushing a career-high 34 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 27-yard score from Taylor Martinez late in the third quarter that gave the Huskers a 21-point lead to essentially seal the victory.

Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, whose Hail Mary pass to beat Wisconsin made him the hero of last weekend, struggled to get anything going against Nebraska’s pass defense. By halftime, Cousins completed only 4 of 15 passes for 27 yards and one interception. He repeatedly tried to take shots deep down the field, but the Huskers always had at least two defenders blanketing the intended receiver.

The senior quarterback finished with only 86 yards, his worst outing since his freshman season in 2008.

Spartans wideout B.J. Cunningham entered the game averaging 6.8 receptions, but he was held without a catch for the first time all season.

Nebraska produced little through the air as well, but it didn’t matter. Burkhead scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown plunges to build the lead, and then he wore down Michigan State’s front seven in the second half.

The Huskers improved to 6-0 all-time against the Spartans.