Nebraska Tops Wisconsin, Secures Bowl Eligibility for First Time Since 2016
Dylan Raiola threw for 293 yards and a touchdown, Dante Dowdell rushed for three scores, and Nebraska defeated Wisconsin 44-25 on Saturday to earn bowl eligibility for the first time in eight years.
The Cornhuskers (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) ended a four-game losing streak and defeated the Badgers for the first time in 11 matchups. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Nebraska players sprinted to Wisconsin's sideline to reclaim the Freedom Trophy. Jubilant students flooded the field to celebrate the victory.
This marked Nebraska’s first success in nine attempts under second-year head coach Matt Rhule when playing for bowl eligibility.
"This is the last time we’ll ever celebrate six wins," Rhule said, emphasizing his vision for a brighter future for the program. "The cloud that kind of hangs over everything, it's gone."
Nebraska entered the season with the longest bowl drought among power-conference teams and its longest since 1955-61. Only UMass and Louisiana-Monroe, both absent from bowls since 2012, currently have longer droughts.
Wisconsin Struggles Continue
Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) suffered its fourth consecutive loss, following last week’s narrow 16-13 defeat to top-ranked Oregon.
Badgers defensive lineman Ben Barten expressed frustration after the game. "We played really well against the No. 1 team in the country, and then we come out today—and I'm not saying Nebraska isn’t a good program, but they're not No. 1—and we gave up three times the points. This is on our defense today."
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson delivered a standout performance, rushing for 113 yards on 16 carries—his first career 100-yard game.
The Cornhuskers' offense dominated, scoring on six consecutive possessions before Raiola kneeled out the clock in the final moments. The 44 points marked Nebraska’s highest total in a game since 2021.
Chants of Victory
Late in the fourth quarter, chants of "Go Big Red!" echoed through Memorial Stadium as Dowdell plunged into the end zone for his third touchdown, solidifying the win. Reflecting on the game, Johnson recalled the team’s focus on finishing after last season’s disappointing loss to Wisconsin. "Finishing has been an emphasis in the offseason, and that’s what we did tonight."
Raiola completed 28 of 38 passes, including a 5-yard touchdown to Jahmal Banks that extended Nebraska’s halftime lead to 24-10.
For Wisconsin, Braedyn Locke threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns but extended his streak of games with an interception to eight.
A Tumultuous Week for the Badgers
The Badgers faced additional challenges after head coach Luke Fickell dismissed offensive coordinator Phil Longo earlier in the week. Tight ends coach Nate Letton reportedly called plays against Nebraska.
Injuries also plagued Wisconsin, with key players Will Pauling, the team’s leading receiver, and Hunter Wohler, its top tackler, sidelined.
Fickell didn’t mince words after the loss. "We didn’t play complementary football the way we have to on the road. It snowballed. We played really, really poor, especially tackling in the second half."
The Badgers now face a must-win scenario against Minnesota in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe to avoid their first losing season since 2001 and an end to their 22-year bowl streak.
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