Lincoln , Nebraska — Michigan State’s defense looked to be its weakness through the first four games of the season. Something to make up for. A unit not to trust. Yet Saturday afternoon against Nebraska, it’s the unit that gave the Spartans their best shot at winning.

Michigan State’s defense found a way to bottle up Nebraska and its star quarterback Dylan Raiola early on, but it’d be a grueling finish for the Spartans in a 38-27 loss. Michigan State battled back from a halftime deficit to take a lead in the third quarter, but Nebraska’s offense found its footing in the second half to spring the victory.

Raiola threw for 194 yards on 16-for-24 passing, with a second-half interception to match one touchdown. Much of that came late, when Nebraska pulled away for the win.

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