Nebraska football defeats Northern Iowa: The Report Card

Considering the score, Nebraska didn’t run it as much as you’d think. Husker running backs combined for just nine carries in the first three quarters. Dante Dowdell again was the leading man, finishing with 55 yards on six carries. Heinrich Haarberg had a hard-fought, 5-yard run for a first down in the third quarter that reminded folks of his grit. Emmett Johnson ripped off a 36-yard rushing touchdown late in the game.

Dylan Raiola is one cool customer. He completed 10 of his first 11 passes, including two touchdown tosses. For the second straight week, Raiola made a deep connection with Jaylen Lloyd, who caught a 59-yard pass to set up an eventual Isaiah Neyor touchdown. Raiola did throw his first interception, an awkward one. It looked like Lloyd and UNI’s Fletcher Marshall Jr. caught the deep ball simultaneously, but the interception held up after a review.

There was plenty of talk about how the Huskers would handle their first big, bruising running back of the season: 6-foot-4, 230-pound Tye Edwards. Turns out, the bigger threat was Panthers quarterback Aidan Dunne, who ran 11 times for 49 yards. Edwards was limited to 4 yards per carry. All in all, another efficient night in this area for the Blackshirts.

Northern Iowa had five pass plays of over 15 yards. Occasionally, it was a little surprising how much separation Panther wide receivers created, including Amaur Pesek-Hickson, who had a nice 16-yard reception. UNI only took one sack, as Dunne was quick to get the ball out of his hands. Let’s not nitpick here: after all, Nebraska didn’t give up a touchdown in this game, and Malcolm Hartzog had his second interception.

A talking point for the wrong reasons last week, the Huskers seemed more buttoned-up. That included the field goal operation, which enjoyed its smoothest day of the season. Tristan Alvano made both of his field goals, from 31 and 21 yards out. Brian Buschini enjoyed a night off, as the Nebraska offense never had to punt.

The Nebraska offense did not commit a penalty! The defense, however, was dinged with two 15-yard penalties: a late hit on Keona Davis, and a facemask by Amare Sanders in the final minute of regulation. Princewill Umanmielen was called for roughing the punter.

The Huskers’ opening three drives were surgical — each ended in touchdowns. The end-around pitch to Jacory Barney was awesome (the freshman, however, did get popped pretty hard as he crossed the goal line.) It seems like Lloyd gets open any time he is on the field, which is a testament to both his speed and his coaches for getting him in the right positions. The Haarberg package was a fan-favorite but didn’t result in a touchdown as NU settled for a field goal.

No letdown here for the Huskers after an emotional, high-stakes game against Colorado last week. The Huskers are 3-0, and they’re looking rather impressive doing it. Now, the Big Ten season begins with a Friday tilt against Illinois. Onward we go.