Instant Takes: No. 23 Nebraska 34, Northern Iowa 3
No. 23 Nebraska has started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2016. The Huskers took down UNI 34-3 at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 14.
This was another game Husker Head Coach Matt Rhule would call a great learning moment. Nebraska put up big numbers and held Northern Iowa to three points. However, the first-string offense struggled to reach the red zone in the third quarter, and the defense lacked explosiveness.
NU scored three touchdowns in the first-half points and didn’t have another until the second half of the fourth quarter. The Blackshirts had only one sack and three tackles for loss.
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Here are three instant takes from Nebraska’s win over Northern Iowa:
Raiola is providing Nebraska with long-awaited security
Nebraska football has recently had several unreliable quarterbacks. Quarterbacks who threw interceptions and fumbled with the game on the line. Players that did not step up in big moments. Raiola looks like the answer to Nebraska’s prayers.
The freshman is extremely consistent. His preparation and football knowledge are amongst the highest on the team. Head Coach Matt Rhule said the offense needs to play up to Raiola’s level.
During Nebraska’s first drive of the second, it came down to a third-and-9. The default of Husker fans and followers was to have little hope. Raiola delivered a beautiful pass to Isaiah Neyor for a touchdown.
Three of Nebraska’s drives in the first half ended with a touchdown in less than 3:30 minutes.
The former five-star prospect went 13-for-16 with 209 passing yards and two touchdowns. He had one quarterback keep for 15 yards to lead the team in rushing yards in the first half.
He is not perfect, but he has proved to be better than many recent Husker QBs. Nebraska had to settle for two field goals under 35 yards. Raiola made a few bad throws in the red zone and slipped on a QB keeper on third down. He’s still a freshman.
Raiola was charged with his first career interception on a deep ball to Jaylen Lloyd. Lloyd and UNI CB Fletcher Marshall Jr. went down together, and Marshall was ruled with possession. Rhule challenged the call, but it was confirmed.
The QB finished going 17-for-23 for 247 passing yards. He had two touchdowns and one interception.
Nebraska’s rushing game needs to figure it out
The Huskers had four running backs listed as ‘or’ on their depth chart to start the season. Despite that, NU greatly struggled to run the ball against UNI. They had 47 rushing yards in the first half and 94 in the second half.
Northern Iowa allowed 79 rushing yards per game in their first two FCS games. They allowed 142 total rushing yards against Nebraska.
Raiola led the team with 15 rushing yards in the first hard. RB Dante Dowdell, the starter, finished with 55 rushing yards on six carries. Without his breakout 38-yard rush, he had 17 rushing yards.
NU played all four running backs. Outside of two busted plays, no one was very effective. Emmett Johnson had 50 yards on four carries. Rahmir Johnson had four yards on two carries. Emmett earned a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Nearly half of Nebraska’s rushing yards came on a 38-yard and 36-yard rush.
The Huskers need to pick a man or two to build rhythm and feel for the game and lean on them. The offensive line, which was missing starting right guard Micah Mizzccua, also needs to be better at creating holes.
Defense plays without edge
Nebraska’s defense uncharactically struggled. Luckily for NU, the scoreboard didn’t reflect it.
The Huskers’ defense could not get off the field. In the first half, UNI had over 19 minutes of possession time with a 10-minute opening drive. They were on the field for over 38 minutes. Northern Iowa’s offense ran 71 total plays, 23 more than Nebraska.
With so many good players, they had highlight plays. But overall allowed 301 total yards and 139 rushing yards.
To start the second half, UNI marched down the field to the 23-yard line. However, Malcolm Hartzog Jr. ended the five-minute drive with a wide-open interception. Nebraska has had an interception in all three games this season. Hartzog has two.
The Huskers didn’t have a sack until John Bullock found QB Aidan Dunne on 2nd-and-11. Bullock broke up a pass on the next play to force a 3rd-and-11. Bullock forced a three-and-out and short field for the offense. Tristan Alvano added three points to the board.
The defense held Northern Iowa to 301 total yards. Colorado had 260 total yards vs. NU. They finished the UNI game with one sack and three tackles for loss. The Blackshirts had six sacks and 10 tackles for loss vs. CU. The pass rush was not getting home vs. UNI.
Nebraska held Northern Iowa to an impressive three points. But they won’t be satisfied with their tackling or pass rush. Nor should they ever be satisfied.
