Instant takes: Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nebraska football opened year three of the Matt Rhule Era with a 20-17 win over Cincinnati. Husker fans took over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Senior Malcolm Hartzog Jr. was the hero of the game. He intercepted a pass to the endzone with 34 seconds left. The safety smothered the Bearcats’ chances and secured the victory. He had one tackle, one interception and one pass breakup.
Here are three instant takes.
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Young defenders make critical plays
Nebraska’s defense is filled with experience. However, a few young athletes popped for the Huskers on defense.
Linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. made a momentum and game-changing play in the second quarter. The sophomore hammered receiver Caleb Goodie, forcing the ball to pop out. Defensive end Williams Nwaneri fell on the ball to set up Nebraska’s offense at Cincinnati’s 25-yard line. Raiola found Hunter in the endzone for NU’s first touchdown, taking a 13-3 lead.
Shavers, who played in 13 games in 2024, recorded three tackles and one forced fumble.
In his first game as a Husker, Nwaneri posted six tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. The Missouri transfer showed why he rose the ladder this fall. Looks like the Kansas City native will stay there.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Rex Guthrie recorded three tackles. Sophomore Keona Davis added three tackles and flushed out the pocket a few times. Redshirt freshman Donovan Jones added three tackles with a pass breakup.
Raiola has playmakers, needs to set up for success
Quarterback Dylan Raiola has the best group of specialists we’ve seen in Rhule’s time at NU. While the sophomore looked improved, he has lots to work on. Raiola finished with 243 passing yards and went 33-of-42.
Luke Lindenmeyer is just what Nebraska needed at tight end. He is a great blocker and a solid pass-catcher. He was targeted five times, reeling in all for 47 total yards. The junior made a great catch and battled for an 18-yard pickup while tiptoeing along the sideline in the third. The gritty catch set up a Dane Key for a touchdown to go up 20-10.
Key recorded 51 yards on six catches in his Nebraska debut. Nyziah Hunter added 65 yards with six catches and a touchdown.
Raiola found Lindenmeyer, Key and Hunter in three straight passes to start looking in the final drive. Unfortunately for the Huskers, it cooled off after Raiola took a seven-yard sack.
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Raiola made a handful of throws that did not set his receivers up for success. He overthrew Hunter in the corner of the endzone. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound QB made a couple of connections that stopped his receiver’s momentum. He found Cortez Mills over the middle with room to run. But the throw stopped Mills in his tracks as he had to catch the ball, nearly sitting down.
His coaches said he has had a fantastic off-season. The foundation is there. Now, it’s time to show off.
What a stage to start 2025
Nebraska started its 2025 season on a massive stage, and Husker Nation showed out. Arrowhead was sold out and filled with red. An 8 p.m. kickoff time on ESPN teed up the moment perfectly.
The Huskers fans lived up to the loudest stadium in the world claim by the Chiefs. Cheers from thrilled Nebraska fans rang out throughout the stadium as they helped their team to victory.
Arrowhead was booming with a “Go Big Red” chant as referees reviewed and overturned a Husker forced fumble and recovery call.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati brought out the stars, too. Cincinnati alumn and NFL All-Pro players Jason and Travis Kelce were in attendance. Taylor Swift, a world-renowned songwriter/singer and Travis’s fiancée, also showed her support.
