Report Card: Huskers 34, Northern Iowa 3

Nebraska is 3-0.

Yes, Northern Iowa did have success moving the ball on the Huskers at times on Saturday night, but they only gave up 3 points.

Yes, one could argue that Nebraska hasn’t really played anybody, and they probably are right. But still:

Nebraska is 3-0.

Let’s put that in perspective: Nebraska hasn’t been 3-0 in football since 2016. Nebraska wasn’t a great team that season – especially at the end. But you cannot deny that the 2024 Huskers are significantly better than they’ve been the last several years; I’d suggest the best in ten years.

But now things get tougher. Three of the next four games (Illinois, Rutgers and Indiana) come against teams that are better than anybody NU has played so far. (And Saturday afternoon aside, Purdue might be as well.)

So things are going to become real this week. Nebraska has a very real chance to start the season 7-0. But resting on their laurels could make them 3-4. I think the former is more likely than the latter, but I think it’s important to acknowledge that not all is sunshine and lollipops right now. Think partly cloudy skies right now, because there are some repairable issues separating them from being especially good.

So now it’s on to this week’s report card, and as always, your feedback is welcome in the comments.

QB: Dylan Raiola had another efficient week, completing 74% of his passes. Awesome, right? It is, when you consider his predecessors and the fact he’s a true freshman. His 73.8% completion percentage is good for fourth in the Big Ten, which is pretty lofty for a true freshman. But let’s step back and look at his passer rating of 162.2, which is also good, but also ninth in the Big Ten. Many of his passes are shorter, depending on the receiver to make the yards after the catch. Great against lesser talent (CU, UTEP and UNI), but might backfire once we get into conference play. The best example of this might be the deep throws Raiola has targeted Jaylen Lloyd with. Last week, I noted that Lloyd adjusted his route to make a completion. It happened again in the second quarter against UNI, though it still resulted in a long gain. Then yet again early in the fourth quarter, except that underthrowing Lloyd allowed UNI’s Fletcher Marshall to yank the ball away from Lloyd. That’s three misfires deep to Lloyd, and while the first one might have been on Lloyd, I’m not so sure the two on Saturday were. Grade: B

I-Back: Very limited carries based on how the game played out, but Dante Dowdell deserves the start for how he’s running the ball. Emmett Johnson absolutely needs more playing time; he’s Nebraska’s most versatile back. And Heinrich Haarberg sliding into playing some running back is the thing that will cost defensive coordinators some sleep as they stack THAT onto the list of things to prepare for. Then there is Rahmir Johnson, who is establishing himself as NU’s least effective back running or receiving. He’s likely getting playing time for his work in pass-protection, but that’s coming at a cost when he gets the ball. Grade: B+

Receivers: Nebraska is finding ways to get Jacory Barney into the offense, and that’s a good thing. Nebraska’s receivers combined to gain 107 yards after the catch. I frankly don’t think there was a single “you should have caught that” ball thrown. Grade: A-

Offensive Line: A clean performance across the board. The Micah Mazzccua situation bears watching this week. Grade: A

Defensive Line: Very quiet night for the defensive line…other than Pincewill Umanmeilen who put a 1977 NFL Today highlight reel assault on Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne, who somehow retained consciousness. Grade: C-

Linebacker: John Bullock is having a very strong senior season, and just in time as B1G conference times start. Stefon Thompson had a decent game filling in for Mikai Gbayor, who missed the second half after a late targeting penalty in the Colorado game. Grade: B-

Secondary: Isaac Gifford hit double-digits in tackles, thanks in large measure on a leaky defense that allowed way too many yards after contact. Lots of players saw action on what wasn’t Nebraska’s best game defensively thus far this season. Grade: B-

Grade: B Two stats summarize this game: Three points allowed; zero punts. While I would have preferred more, that’s not a bad outcome.

Elsewhere in College Football

Iowa: C Iowa’s offense appears to be better; Iowa’s defense is strangely going the opposite direction

Mississippi State: 0 Holy Toledo!!!

Indiana: A Curt Cignetti, you have our attention.

Georgia/Kentucky: D If it “just means more”, then why are these two teams trying to emulate an Iowa/Penn State game?

Florida State: (:poop-emoji:) Since allegedly being “snubbed” by the College Football Playoff committee last December, Florida State has been outscored 135-49 the last four games. It’s still not enough to make that infamous FSU fan fulfill his promise to dine on Fido’s finest from a red solo cup.