The 2025 home opener for the Nebraska football team was just what the doctor ordered. There were far more positives that happened in week 2 compared to week 1. Nebraska dominated in all phases of Saturday night's 68-0 drubbing of Akron. Here's 3 things we learned from Saturday's huge victory!
Dylan Raiola makes a statement with his best game in a Nebraska football uniform
Saturday night against Akron was arguably Dylan Raiola's career-best game as a Husker. Raiola ended his evening 24 for 31 for 364 yards and 4 touchdown passes, to go along with 3 rushes for 13 yards. Raiola was in total command of the Nebraska offense from the get-go. According to coach Rhule, that happens way before the snap.
Rhule said, "Anytime you throw the ball that many times, and don't have to worry about interceptions, I think we feel really good about it". Rhule also said, "when Dylan plays really well, i don't want to see a lot of WOW plays, I want to see him play quarterback...he's elite before the snap". One of the best things Dylan does, in my opinion, is spread the ball around.
All 4 of his touchdowns were to 4 different players...2 to wide receivers Quinn Clark and Dane Key. One to TE Luke Lindenmeyer, and one to RB Emmett Johnson. The fact that Raiola can spread the ball around to so many different players will only make this offense THAT much harder to defend going forward.
The Blackshirts put up a Goose-egg, with help from the Special Teams
For the first time in 16 years, the Blackshirts shut out an opponent. That year, under coach Bo Pelini, the Huskers had 2 shutouts against Louisiana, 55-0, and in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona, 33-0. It's amazing that there hasn't been one since then, but Nebraska's defense was salty all evening. And it wasn't just from the veteren players.
Kade Pietrzak, a true freshman, that didn't even arrive on campus until June, was a holy terror in the first quarter. With Nebraska having a 7-0 lead, the Huskers were driving when Emmett Johnson coughed up the ball, and the Zips recovered it at their own two yard line. Pietrzak came into the game and made it known he was going to be a problem. On 3rd and nine from the Zips 3 yard line, Pietrzak bolted into the backfield on a handoff to the right to Akron RB Jordan Gant, and tackled Gant in the endzone for a safety. The joy that all of the other defenders showed Kade was infectious.
But it didn't stop there. later in the first half, with Nebraska leading 33-0 with 7 seconds remaining, Akron had a chance to get on the scoreboard for the first time in 2025. However, the Zips place kicker, Owen Wiley's kick went off the left upright and Nebraska took a 33-0 lead into the locker room. Then, about halfway through the 3rd quarter, Akron had another chance to score. After another Husker touchdown, to make the score 40-0, Wiley had another field goal attempt, this time from 33 yards. But Riley Van Poppel got his left hand up and b1locked the kick to thwart the threat!
The back-up players got in and impressed!
One of the main complaints that Husker fans had against Cincinnati, was that there were certain position groups that didn't get enough playing time. Well, that certainly wasn't a problem against Akron. Almost every player that was suited up played. Rhule commented that there may have been a player or two that didn't get into the game. Not only did the back-ups play, they played about as well as you could've hoped for. 2nd string QB, T.J. Lateef was 6 of 7 in passing for 128 yards, and added 17 yards on the ground on 2 carries, with a WOW run on first and goal from the 10 yardline. T.J. went back to pass, saw his first option was covered, ran to the right and made to Akron players miss, before getting tackled just before scoring a touchdown.
The running backs were much more balanced in their carries as well. Emmett Johnson led the way with a career high 140 yards on 14 carries. But the back-ups got 12 carries of their own. A much better mix than the 25 carries to 2 against Cincinnati. Four backup running backs got carries against Akron. Mekhi Nelson, Kwinten Ives, Kenneth Williams, and Conor Booth combined for 12 carries for 66 yards, a very decent 5.5 yards per carry. The fact that so many players, both offensively and defensively, got into the game is something that the coaches are obviously glad about. Rhule said "I was glad we got a lot of players into the game, a lot of players who work hard, who sacrifice". He was pleased that all the players that did get into the game, were able to play to the standard and get the shutout!
Nebraska had it's most complete performance in recent memory. They dominated Akron in every aspect of the game. A win like this, they way they did it, could breed confidence into this team. Nebraska's offense compiled 728 yards of total offense. The Blackshirts only gave up 175 yards of total offense. There will be things to improve and clean up. The only thing I saw as a negative were the 6 penalties for 71 yards. But, I'm really nitpicking here...I mean, we did win the game 68-0!