Thursday's season opener might've felt a little too close for comfort for some Nebraska football fans. In the past few seasons, the Huskers haven't done very well in one-score games. However, they managed to find a way to hold off Cincinnati and start the season with a victory.
Here are three things that stood out in the Cornhuskers win in Arrowhead to open the season.
Emmett Johnson leads the way for the Nebraska football team
Nebraska football running back Emmett Johnson had something to say about the win. The junior running back was the Bell-Cow for the offense. Johnson tallied 108 yards on 25 carries, and added 7 catches for 27 yards. It was clear from the beginning that Johnson would be the feature back for the game. He was spelled only a few times by both Mekhi Nelson and Izaiah Mozee.
The Husker receivers were as good as advertised
New portal addition receivers, Dane Key, and Nyziah Hunter had been built up all off season by the Nebraska Coaching staff. Key & Hunter did not disappoint. They each had 6 receptions and a TD, Key with 51 yards receiving, Hunter with 65.
But maybe the biggest surprise was junior tight end, Luke Lindenmeyer. Lindenmeyer, a first time starter for the Big Red, tallied 5 catches for 47 yards. And it seemed that he had his catches at the most opportune times. He showed sure hands and the ability to drag defenders for extra yardage. True Freshman Cortez Mills also saw action in his very first game, pulling in 1 catch for 13 yards.
The Defense comes up big, when the team needed it the most!
Everyone was worried about Nebraska's run defense, without Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher anchoring the middle of the defensive line. And, there were more times than Husker fans would've liked, where Cincinnati had their way running the ball. Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby gashed the Husker defense with 13 carries for 96 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
When the Bearcats tried to mount their comeback in the 4th quarter, it was clear they were picking on Malcolm Hartzog...and it was working. Sorsby completed a pass on 4th and 7 to Cyrus Allen for 12 yards to extend the drive. Three plays later, Hartzog was called for holding on a 3rd and 2, to again give Cincinnati another first down at Nebraska's 43 yardline with 41 seconds to play. On the very next play, Sorsby tried a deep fade to the right & Hartzog was redeemed himself, as he intercepted the pass and sealed Nebraska's victory!
Nebraska played a Power 4 team, played a fairly clean game, penalty wise. There were a bunch of mistakes on both sides of the ball. However, the Special Teams on the kicking side, looked very good. Punter Archie Wilson had 2 punts go out of bounds inside the 10 yard line, and Kyle Cunanan made both of his field goal attempts, including one from 52 yards.
I have to admit, Cincinnati was a better team than I was expecting, especially with their lack of a passing game. Nebraska football's run defense needs to get better, I think the coaches would be the first ones to tell you that. But a 20-17 win might be just what this team needed to begin the season. Proof that they can win the close game, Akron is up next on Saturday, September 6 at 6:30pm