College football

Nebraska rallies to top Michigan 32-28

SAN ANTONIO - Zac Taylor threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Nunn with 4:29 left as Nebraska overcame a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 20 Michigan 32-28 in the Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night.

The game ended on a bizarre play, with Michigan's Chad Henne throwing a short pass and his teammates lateraling five times up and down the field before the play fizzled out with many extra players and coaches on the field.

The Huskers (8-4) won the Alamo for the third time in six years and finished a season with three straight victories for the first time since 1999.

Henne threw three touchdowns and ran for a score. His 7-yard scramble with 11:40 left gave the Wolverines a 28-17 lead.

But Nebraska used a long punt return and a turnover to end Michigan's season with another disappointment. The Wolverines, ranked No. 3 in September, finished 7-5, with their losses coming by a combined 21 points.

Cory Ross ran 28 times for 161 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown that pulled Nebraska to 28-25 with 8:08 left. That score was set up by Cortney Grixby's 28-yard punt return to the Michigan 38.

The Cornhuskers took the lead after Henne fumbled and Ola Dagundaro returned the ball to the Michigan 17. Three plays later, Taylor connected with Nunn for his third touchdown pass and second to Nunn.

Michigan drove to the Nebraska 18, but Zackary Bowman tipped away Henne's fourth-down pass to Mario Manningham.

Taylor was 14 of 31 for 167 yards, with two interceptions.

Henne, 20-of-42 for 219 yards, erased a 17-14 deficit in the third quarter with a 21-yard pass to Manningham. Henne's touchdown run made it 28-17.

Nebraska, back at a bowl after having its NCAA-record run of 35 straight postseason appearances end last year, is 5-0 at the Alamodome. The Huskers have won three bowls in San Antonio and two Big 12 championships.

Mike Hart, who was injured most of the season, led Michigan with 74 yards on 19 carries.

The score was tied 14-14 at halftime, and Michigan benefited from a third-quarter video review that overturned a Nebraska touchdown and forced the Huskers to settle for Jordan Congdon's 20-yard field goal. Taylor's 3-yard pass to Nunn was disallowed when it was ruled that the ball hit the ground.

The Wolverines then drove 58 yards to take a 21-17 lead.

Nebraska opened the scoring when Nunn caught a quick slant pass from Taylor, slipped out of Brandon Harrison's grasp and finished a 52-yard touchdown.

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 01:11:01]