Nebraska football dominated Akron in its home opener, 68-0. The Huskers flat-out manhandled the Zips, scoring the most points in a single game since 2012.
Here are the takeaways from Saturday’s game:
Nebraska offense takes the top off Akron’s defense
After having just one play go for over 20 yards against Cincinnati last week, the Husker offense delivered several explosive plays in the first half. The opening drive alone featured two with a 22-yard catch from junior tight end Luke Lindenmeyer moving the chains on third down.
A couple of plays later, Emmett Johnson unleashed a 47-yard touchdown run for the first points of the game. The junior running back has lacked the breakaway speed in years past, so the career-long run is a positive sign.
Overall, the Huskers had six 20-plus yard plays in the first half. Sophomore receiver Nyziah Hunter was responsible for two of them, finishing the half with 82 yards on four catches.
Nebraska kept its foot on the gas into the third quarter, with sophomore Dylan Raiola finding Jacory Barney Jr. for multiple huge games
Raiola and Johnson had monster games through the air and on the ground. Raiola went 24-for-31 for 364 yards and four scores. Johnson ran for a career-high 140 yards with three total touchdowns.
Poor red zone execution early
Nebraska moved the ball at will against Akron in the first quarter, but struggled when the field got short.
The Huskers should have scored 21 points in the opening frame, but only finished with nine after two drives stalled inside the five-yard line. Johnson fumbled the ball inside the three on Nebraska’s second drive of the game. While the Blackshirts forced a safety,
The Huskers were set up with a first and goal at the three-yard line the following possession, but failed to find paydirt. Two one-yard runs from Kwinten Ives set up fourth down at the one, and the Zips were ready for a surprise sneak from Heinrich Haarberg.
Nebraska got the ball in the red zone again off a Jacory Barney Jr. punt return, but failed to move the chains and settled for a field goal.
While the Huskers eventually shook off these issues with Raiola connecting with Johnson and Lindenmeyer for a pair of scores, they will have to do better when playing against Big Ten competition.
Young Huskers get valuable experience
Playing against one of the worst teams in the FBS, it was expected that several underclassmen would see the field. Nebraska did this early, giving several players backups snaps with the ones in the first half.
Head coach Matt Rhule sent out several freshmen early on the defense, deploying the likes of defensive end Kade Pietrzak, linebacker Dawson Merritt and safety Rex Guthrie. Pietrzak had an impressive outing with a tackle-for-loss and a safety.
On offense, running backs Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee and Kwinten Ives all saw the field in the first half. Redshirt freshman receiver Quinn Clark took his second-career catch 37 yards to the house.
True freshman quarterback TJ Lateef made his Nebraska debut in the third quarter, hitting Mozee for a 39-yard gain on his first pass. Ives capped the drive off with a 28-yard touchdown run.
Defensive front still has questions
Even in the blowout win, the Husker front seven failed to leave a lasting impression.
The Huskers failed to record a sack in the first half. Senior Jack Dasan McCullough had one, but it was called back for a facemask. The unit got to quarterback Ben Finley on several occasions, but could never finish the play.
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Ashton Murphy sacked
That being said, Nebraska defended the run far better, holding Akron to 30 yards in the first half. The shutout win should be celebrated, but we will have to see how the Blackshirts fare against a better opponent.
Barney shines as punt returner
Jacory Barney Jr. had high expectations for himself as the Huskers’ punt returner. In fall camp, the sophomore receiver spoke on how he wants to lead the country in return yards. After a quiet game against the Bearcats, Barney showed what he was capable of versus the Zips.
Barney returned four punts for 87 yards in the win, averaging 22 yards per return. His 39-yard return in the third quarter was Nebraska’s longest since Cam Taylor-Britt took one 27 yards against Purdue in 2020.
On top of returning, Barney led the Huskers with 132 receiving yards on seven receptions.
Anthony Rubek is an Assistant Sports Editor at The Daily Nebraskan. Follow him on X at @AnthonyRubek.