Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Malik Washington runs away from Nebraska Cornhuskers defenders in the Aer Lingus college football series at Aviva Stadium. Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern upsets Nebraska in Ireland with comeback win to open season

By Adam Stites | Last updated 8/27/22

The Northwestern Wildcats were double-digit underdogs against the Nebraska Cornhuskers for a season-opening game in Dublin, Ireland, and pulled off the upset with a come from behind, 31-28 win.

The three-point loss for Nebraska looked painfully similar to much of the team's 2021 season when the Huskers finished with a 3-9 overall record. All nine of Nebraska's losses last year were by a single-digit margin and the team outscored opponents on the season, 335-272.

21st one-score loss for Scott Frost at Nebraska
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 27, 2022

On Saturday, Nebraska raced out to a 14-3 lead before giving up a pair of second quarter touchdowns to trail 17-14 at halftime. The Huskers responded with two touchdowns to open the third quarter and take back a double-digit lead, but Northwestern again clawed back with two touchdowns of its own.

The Huskers had one final chance to drive into field goal range in the final minutes, but Casey Thompson's second interception of the day ended hopes of a comeback.