Nebraska backup quarterback, fan favorite Heinrich Haarberg utilized during redzone drive

Heinrich Haarberg — last year’s eight-game starter at QB and No. 2 on the depth chart now behind Dylan Raiola — came on and lined up in the slot, curling in for an 8-yard catch as the Memorial Stadium crowd acknowledged the moment. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior from Kearney then took a handoff for 5 yards and a first down to the Northern Iowa 8-yard line. Haarberg took the next snap in a Wildcat look, driving ahead for 1 yard as Raiola lined up a few yards away.

“I was ready for anything tonight,” Haarberg said. “It didn’t really catch me off guard.”

The possession stalled a few plays later, resulting in a 21-yard Tristan Alvano field goal and 27-3 Nebraska lead.

Haarberg saw 21 snaps in the opener against UTEP, carrying twice for eight yards, and didn’t play against Colorado. The catch was his first of the season — he lined up as a receiver on NU’s opening drive Saturday — after making two grabs last year for 12 yards.

Nebraska coaches have said they want to be creative using Haarberg as one of the team’s most explosive athletes.

Haarberg entered the game at quarterback midway through the fourth quarter with a 24-point lead. He finished 3-of-3 passing for 34 yards along with three carries for 7 yards.

The crowd noise stuck with Haarberg — acknowledgement for a job done flexibly.

“It’s still really cool to know that this state appreciates my efforts,” Haarberg said. “Hopefully we can continue to grow that.”

Nebraska inducted its latest class of Football Hall of Fame members Saturday night before the game.

Former Huskers Rex Burkhead, Terrell Farley, Jared Crick, Tyrone Byrd, Chris Kelsay and the family of Kevin Lightner were honored before the game.

Former NU defensive lineman Monte Johnson was selected from the Legends category, while former UNK running back Mike Miller was selected as the state college representative.

— The Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon contributed to this story