The Nebraska Cornhuskers were able to survive a very close game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in their first game of the season, and while there are lots of things to look at and analyze, the special teams game is not one of them. Last year, Nebraska had one of the worst special teams units i the country, but bringing in special teams coach Mike Ekeler seems to have done the job in Lincoln.
Against Cincinnati, Nebraska was 2-for-2 on field goals, 2-for-2 in extra points, had three punts inside the 20-yard line, and no busted coverages on punts or kickoffs. The special teams unit looked like a whole new team last night, and a lot of that thanks needs to go to Ekeler.
Last year, Nebraska would have lost that game due to incompetent special teams.
— James Pruch (@jamespruch) August 29, 2025
This year?
FGs: 2/2
XPs: 2/2
Punts downed inside the 20: 3
No busted coverages.
It was the difference.
Thank you, Mike Ekeler.
Truly, special teams being able to do their job was the difference in this game, as the Cornhuskers only won by three points by a score of 20-17. If even one field goal had been missed, then the game could have been completely different and maybe even had a different outcome.
Freshman punter Archie Wilson truly showed out with three punts inside the 20-yard line, which certainly helped the defense at times get stops. Wilson said weeks ago he expected to be nervous for his first game, but in reality, once the bus got to the game, he was cool, calm, and collected, not a hint of nerves in sight.
"The ball was snapped and I was like 'Oh, I'm just doing the same thing I've been doing,'" Wilson said.
On four punts, Wilson averaged 36.8 yards per punt, and two of them even landed within the 10-yard line. Wilson's family came all the way from Australia to see his college debut, something he was very excited about, especially with being so far away from home.
Ekeler gave kicker Kyle Cunanan the nickname "Stone Cold Killa" as he was running off the field and saw his placekicker talking with reporters. Cunanan certainly could be looked at as the MVP of the special teams unit as he hit a 52-yard field goal, which is tied for the 10th longest in Nebraska school history.
All-in-all, is seems like special teams may not be a huge worry for the Cornhuskers this season, although this was only the first game, they now need to sustain all season long.