Minnesota Football: 10 Cornhuskers to know ahead of Friday
As we continue to preview this weekend’s matchup between Minnesota and Nebraska, Gophers Nation takes a look at 10 Cornhuskers that Minnesota fans should know ahead of Friday night.
Cornhuskers Offensive Standouts
QB Dylan Raiola – PFF Grade: 72.7
The Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback had a solid but not outstanding freshman season, but now, as a sophomore, Raiola has been very impressive. The Georgia native has completed 138 of 188 passing attempts for 1,591 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions. Behind Raiola’s arm, the Huskers are averaging over 300 passing yards per game and have a top-12 scoring offense nationally.
RB Emmett Johnson – PFF Grade: 78.3
The Minnesota native has been fantastic for the Huskers this season. In six games, Johnson has a conference-leading 105 rushing attempts for 650 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and 108.3 rushing yards in the process. In six games this season, Johnson has eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times.
WR Jacory Barney Jr. – PFF Grade: 75.6
Dylan Raiola’s favorite target this season, Barney Jr., has 26 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Barney has recorded multiple receptions in each of the Huskers’ six games, with three receptions in five of six. He’s totaled 100 receiving yards in two games this season as well. He has not scored in each of the last two weeks and is coming off his worst game of the season with three receptions for 16 yards.
WR Nyziah Hunter – PFF Grade: 66.8
A transfer from Cal, Hunter has made a big impact on his new program with 22 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns in six games. He’s coming off his biggest game of the season with five receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
WR Dane Key – PFF Grade: 67.9
Another wide receiver, Key, a transfer from Kentucky, has been very good in his own right. In six games, Key has 20 receptions for 269 yards and four touchdowns. Key has only had more than 50 yards in two games this season, including four receptions for 104 yards against Houston Christian, but has generally been a consistent receiving target for Raiola.
TE Luke Lindenmeyer – PFF Grade: 73.5
After being quiet in his first three seasons with Nebraska, Lindenmeyer has exploded this fall for 19 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskers. He’s not an explosive, big-play threat for the Huskers, but he’s been a consistently reliable target in the middle of the field for Raiola.
Cornhuskers Defensive Standouts
LB Javin Wright – PFF Grade: 76.9
Wright has already totaled 39 tackles in five games so far this season, well on his way to eclipsing his career high of 51 from 2023. Wright has also been one of the Huskers’ best defenders when it comes to getting into the backfield with 5.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. He also has one pass deflection.
LB Dasan McCullogh – PFF Grade: 71.5
Now at his third school, McCullough has been good for the Huskers, albeit not the same production as Wright. In six games, McCullough has only 13 tackles but does have five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also has one pass deflection.
LB Vincent Shavers Jr – PFF Grade: 68.2
After posting 25 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a freshman in 2024, Shavers Jr. is continuing to his upward trajectory as one of the Big Ten’s bright young linebackers with 26 tackles and five tackles for loss in six games. Over his last three games, Shavers Jr. has come into his own with 20 total tackles and four tackles for loss.
CB DeShon Singleton – PFF Grade: 69.8
Singleton has 28 tackles this season in six games with one tackle for loss. He has already set a career high with two interceptions and also has a pass deflection and one fumble recovery.
K Kyle Cunanan – PFF Grade: 62.0
Cunan has been great for Nebraska this season, making 9-of-10 field goal attempts. He’s perfect from within 40 yards, making all seven attempts, and is 2-of-3 on attempts beyond 40 yards. His long for the season of 25 yards.
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned to Gophers Nation as we bring the latest updates on Minnesota football and the Golden Gophers’ upcoming matchup against Nebraska.
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