Michigan’s defense sacked Dylan Raiola seven times in a 30-27 thriller, but it was Biff Poggi’s bold words that defined the win.
Domination: Biff Poggi’s Michigan blitzes Dylan Raiola 7 times in 30-27 Nebraska thriller originally appeared on The Sporting News
Michigan leaned on its defense and a relentless running game to escape Nebraska with a 30-27 win Saturday night. Acting head coach Biff Poggi praised the grit of his players and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale after the Wolverines sacked quarterback Dylan Raiola seven times in a bruising Big Ten opener.
“Wink Martindale, we’re going to put him in bubble wrap on the plane on the way back so nothing happens to him,” Poggi said. “Our defensive kids played so hard. They never gave up. The whole team never gave up.”
The buildup to the game centered on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who was coming off a rough outing at Oklahoma.
Though his passing line was modest at 12 of 22 for 105 yards, he provided the Wolverines’ first touchdown on a 37-yard run and kept their final scoring drive alive with a third-down completion and a scramble.
Poggi praised Underwood’s composure. “He made some excellent throws. He made some excellent runs,” Poggi said. “The thing you don’t see is his poise and leadership in the huddle and on the sideline."
Running backs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall carried the offense. Haynes ran for 149 yards on 17 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Marshall added 80 yards, highlighted by a 54-yard scoring run that pushed Michigan ahead by 10 entering the final period. The Wolverines finished with 286 rushing yards, their most against Nebraska since Oklahoma gained 312 in 2022.
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Nebraska briefly had momentum when Raiola hit Jacory Barney Jr. with a 52-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half to tie the game at 17. Poggi told his team not to panic.
“I know it’s 17-17, but physically, we’re beating the snot out of them, and we’re turning this into a heavyweight fight, and that’s going to be to our big advantage in the second half,” he said.
Raiola ended with 308 passing yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback to throw for 300 against Michigan since 2022.
Yet the Cornhuskers managed only 43 rushing yards, went 2 of 12 on third downs, and lost their 28th straight game against a Top 25 opponent.
Category: General Sports
