Nebraska Cornhuskers Survive Kansas City Thriller: Five Key Takeaways From the 20-17 Win Over Cincinnati
The Huskers faithful made the trek to Kansas City, and boy, did they get their money’s worth. Nebraska squeaked out a 20-17 victory over Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium Thursday night, and if you’re looking for a game that perfectly encapsulates what college football is all about—heart attacks, heroics, and a whole lot of “what just happened?”—this was it.
Let’s be honest: this wasn’t exactly the offensive explosion many expected from Matt Rhule’s squad. But sometimes the prettiest wins aren’t the most beautiful, and Nebraska found a way to get the job done when it mattered most. Here is what we learned from this season-opening thriller that had more plot twists than a soap opera.
The Malcolm Hartzog Jr. Redemption Arc Was Pure Poetry
Talk about timing. Malcolm Hartzog Jr. went from goat to hero in about five seconds, and it was the kind of moment that makes college football absolutely magical. With less than a minute remaining and Cincinnati driving for the potential game-winning score, Hartzog had just been flagged for pass interference. But instead of letting that moment define him, the senior safety stepped up and made the play of the game.
Brendan Sorsby’s pass to the end zone found Hartzog’s hands instead of a Cincinnati receiver, and just like that, Nebraska had escaped with a victory. The interception was textbook—right place, right time, right mindset. It is the kind of play that gets replayed on highlight reels for years and reminds us why we love this sport. “A lot of people say we can’t win the close game,” Hartzog said after the game. Well, consider that narrative officially challenged.
Nebraska’s Ground Game Found Its Identity in Emmett Johnson
While the Huskers’ passing attack grabbed headlines, it was Emmett Johnson who quietly carried the offensive load on his shoulders. The junior running back posted career highs with 25 carries for 108 yards, looking like the workhorse back Nebraska desperately needed.
Here’s the concerning part, though: Johnson was basically a one-man show in the backfield. The next-leading rusher? It was a tie between Wide Receiver Janiran Bonner and Tight End Heinrich Haarberg, each with four yards. Meanwhile, the actual backup running backs combined for one carry and negative two yards.
Is this sustainable for a full season? That’s the million-dollar question. Johnson looked explosive and handled the heavy workload admirably, but Nebraska’s going to need more depth if they want to compete in the Big Ten grind ahead. For now, though, Johnson proved he’s ready to be the featured back this team has been searching for.
Dylan Raiola Showed Flashes of Brilliance Amid Growing Pains
The highly-touted quarterback completed 33 of 42 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns—numbers that look pretty solid on paper. But if you watched the game, you saw a young player still finding his footing at the college level.
Raiola’s 33 completions were the fourth-most in Nebraska history, which sounds impressive until you realize it took 42 attempts to get there. He looked comfortable in the pocket at times and showed the arm talent that made him such a coveted recruit. The touchdown passes to Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter were well-placed balls that showcased his potential.
However, there were also moments where you could see the jitters. A few overthrows, some decision-making that came a split-second too late—the typical growing pains of a young quarterback learning on the fly. The good news? These are fixable issues, and Raiola has the talent to develop into something special in Lincoln.
The Blackshirts Bent But Didn’t Break When It Mattered
Nebraska’s defense had its hands full with Cincinnati’s ground game, allowing 202 rushing yards that had some fans reaching for the antacids. But here’s what the stat sheet doesn’t tell you: the Blackshirts made plays when they absolutely had to.
The forced fumble late in the first half that led to a Nebraska touchdown was a momentum-shifting play that changed the entire complexion of the game. Instead of heading into halftime down by a field goal, the Huskers took a 13-3 lead that proved crucial. Cincinnati managed just 69 passing yards for the entire game, with 45 of those coming in garbage time during the fourth quarter. The pass defense looked solid, and when the game was on the line, they delivered the game-sealing interception.
Sure, there are things to clean up—202 rushing yards allowed isn’t exactly championship-caliber stuff. But this defense showed the kind of resilience that wins games in November.
Special Teams Played Error-Free Football
In a game decided by three points, the special teams units deserve a standing ovation for doing their jobs without any soul-crushing mistakes. No muffed punts, no blown snaps, no blocked kicks—just solid, fundamentally sound football.
Kyle Cunanan nailed both of his field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder that tied for the 10th-longest in Nebraska history. The kick perfectly split the uprights and announced to the college football world that the Huskers have a reliable leg they can count on.
Punter Archie Wilson was equally impressive, dropping three of his four punts inside Cincinnati’s 20-yard line. In a field position game like this one turned out to be, those kinds of efforts don’t show up in the highlight packages but absolutely contribute to winning football.
The Road Ahead For Nebraska
This victory was more than just a season opener. It was a statement that Nebraska can win the close games that have haunted them in recent years. Five of their six losses last season were decided by a single score, so finding a way to close out a tight game represents genuine progress.
The atmosphere in Kansas City was electric, with Nebraska fans turning Arrowhead Stadium into Memorial Stadium North. The sea of red was a reminder that Husker Nation travels like few fan bases in college football, and that support will be crucial as this team navigates a challenging Big Ten schedule.
Up next is a home opener against Akron on September 6, followed by Houston Christian, before the real test arrives: Michigan comes to Lincoln on September 20. If Nebraska can build on this performance and shore up some of the rough edges we saw Thursday night, they might just surprise some people this season. The Huskers are 1-0, and in college football, that’s all that matters. Sometimes the prettiest wins come in ugly packages, and Nebraska will gladly take this kind of victory any day of the week.
