No. 23 Nebraska cruised to a 34-3 win over UNI in the final tune-up for Husker Football before Big Ten play begins Friday against Illinois.
It was an efficient and consistent effort from Nebraska. The offense scored on six of eight drives (not counting the final possession, a kneeldown to run the final seconds off the clock). After the Panthers inched 62 yards in 16 plays over 10 minutes and 8 seconds of gametime on their first possession and kicked a field goal, the Blackshirts didn’t allow another point and took the ball away once. Even the much maligned special teams booted two field goals and didn’t miss a kick.
In all, it was another step in the right direction for Nebraska Football, which has a 3-0 record for the first time since 2016.
Nebraska started with the ball and marched 75 yards in eight plays, capped by Ainsworth native Carter Nelson’s first touchdown catch from Dylan Raiola, a 24-yard strike at 11:40 remaining in the first quarter. Then, UNI took the ball at its 25 and converted two third downs and a fourth down before the Blackshirts forced the Panthers to settle for a 31-yard field goal to cut the Huskers’ lead to 7-3 with 1:32 to go in the first quarter.
The second Husker drive was quick as the first: seven plays, 75 yards, capped by a Raiola to Isaiah Neyor 18-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-3 Nebraska with 13:04 to go until halftime. UNI picked up a first down on the ensuing drive, but sidetracked itself with first a holding penalty, then an offensive pass interference penalty. The Huskers took over on their own 20. After a no-gain run by Gabe Ervin, Jr., Raiola found Rahmir Johnson for an 11-yard gain. On the next play, Raiola connected wtih Jaylen Lloyd for 59 yards to take it to the UNI 10. Jacory Barney, Jr., scored his first touchdown as a Husker with a 10-yard run to push the lead to 21-3, which would be the halftime score. Nebraska dominated the second quarter, outscoring UNI 14-0. In three games this year, the Huskers have outscored their opponents 51-0 in the second quarter.
In the second half, Nebraska held UNI in check, while moving the ball but not scoring touchdowns. The first Panthers drive ended with a Malcolm Hartzog, Jr., interception, which the Huskers converted into a 31-yard Tristan Alvano field goal. After the ensuing UNI drive ended in a short punt, Nebraska drove to the Panthers’ 1, but could not crack the goal line, instead settling for an Alvano 21-yard field goal to push the lead to 27-3.
After Illinois punted on its first drive of the fourth quarter, Raiola threw his first interception as a Husker on a long pass that Fletcher Marshall, Jr., wrestled away from Jaylen Lloyd at the UNI 41. But the Husker defense, mainly backups instead of Blackshirts at this point, forced a three-and-out and gave Nebraska the ball back at the 20. Heinrich Haarberg took over at quarterback with the second-string offense and marched to the UNI 36 before Emmett Johnson broke a 36-yard touchdown run to punctuate the Husker victory.
Raiola finished the game 17-for-23 through the air for 247 yards and two touchdowns. 10 different Huskers caught passes, led by Nelson, who caught four for 48 yards and his first touchdown. Isaac Gifford led the defense with 10 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. For UNI, Aidan Dunne was 13-for-25 through the air with 117 yards and one interception. He was also the Panthers’ leading rusher, carrying the ball 11 times for 49 yards.
Now Nebraska must turn the page to the Big Ten opener against Illinois, and in a hurry, as the Huskers and Illini meet on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Like Nebraska, Illinois is playing well, off to its first 3-0 start since 2011 after beating Central Michigan, 30-9, Saturday.