Huskers win with score in final minute

LINCOLN, Neb. — This time one went Nebraska’s way.

Tommy Armstrong Jr. drove Nebraska 91 yards in the final minute, hitting Brandon Reilly with a 30yard touchdown pass that survived a video review with 17 seconds left to hand seventh-ranked Michigan State a 39-38 loss that probably will ruin the Spartans’ playoff hopes.

Armstrong rallied the Cornhuskers from 12 points down in the last 41⁄2 minutes. He scored on a short touchdown with 1:47 left to make it 38-33. After Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) went three and out, he led the drive that defines his career so far.

Starting at his own nineyard line, Armstrong hit Jordan Westerkamp for passes of 28 and 33 yards. Two plays later, he found Reilly for the winning score. Reilly went out of bounds and came back in to make the catch, but officials ruled it was legal because cornerback Jermaine Edmondson forced him out.

The Spartans got a final chance, but Connor Cook passed out of bounds from the Nebraska 41 as time ran out.

Nebraska’s sideline cleared, a season full of pentup frustration playing out with players and coaches at midfield dancing as the music blared. The Spartans walked slowly toward their locker room. The Huskers (4-6, 2-4) kept partying on the field.

The Huskers played strong throughout against the Spartans, but it didn’t look as if it would be enough. Cook matched his career high with four touchdown passes and Michigan State used a drive that lasted almost 9 minutes of the fourth quarter to go up 12 points.

The Huskers weren’t done.

Imani Cross ran 18 times for 98 yards, and Armstrong completed 19 of 33 passes for 320 yards. He ran for two touchdowns and passed for two.

Cook completed 22 of 35 passes for 318 yards.