Arbitrary Nebraska football analytics: Streaking toward shutout history

When the generational talent Dylan Raiola arrived on campus, Nebraska football became likely to extend its historic streak. No, I’m not talking about the sellout streak (although I expect that to grow without asterisks for at least the next three years). Nebraska football currently holds the college football’s 7th longest streak without getting shutout at 351 games.

Barring any major upset, Nebraska would jump BYU from 1975 to 2003 for the 6th longest streak of scoring points at the Wisconsin game this season.

Scott Frost was the last Husker QB to score no points in a contest against Arizona State in 1996. Phil Snow coached that Sun Devil defense, Matt Rhule’s defensive coordinator at Temple, Baylor, and Carolina.

Nebraska football's last shutout was memorable

Before that dual in the desert, Nebraska was on a 50-game streak, putting points up on the board. In college football history, Nebraska is one of only three programs to have multiple streaks of 200+ games without a shutout (1974-1991), joining Florida State and Oregon.

The Husker’s streak is the 5th longest active streak as well. Florida, TCU, Georgia, and Virginia Tech all have longer active streaks than Nebraska’s offense. Florida’s streak dates back to 1988 when Emmit Smith was at Florida.

Regarding the coaches with the longest streak of putting points on the board, BYU legend Lavell Edwards ranks first in consecutive games without a shutout 324. While Edwards was known for his high-flying offenses and Heisman Trophy winners, the second-place coach is most notably known for his punter – Kirk Ferentz.

Until 2023, Iowa football hadn’t been shut out since 2000. Last season, the Hawkeyes were shut out three times and go into 2024 on a streak of two shutouts. Tom Osborne currently ranks 12 for coaches at 220 games. Husker fans should be cheering hard in week 1 for Georgia as Dabo Swinney would pass Osborne in week 2 against Appalachian State.

Nebraska football was a sad field goal away from a shutout against Oklahoma in 2004. A long run by Steve Kriewald with under a minute left setup the David Dyches field goal to lose 30-3 in Norman. The Huskers have added another 20 years of games, putting points on the board, and with Dylan Raiola on campus, they should move into 5th place all-time in the 2025 season.