5 things we learned in Nebraska football win over Akron

I could get used to Nebraska football beating teams 68-0.

Even though it was Akron, and even though it doesn’t mean that Nebraska football is suddenly back, it was nice to see the Huskers impose their will on an opponent.

They beat Akron the way Tom Osborne’s teams used to. It was one night, but it was exciting. Dylan Raiola was 24-of-31 for 368 yards and four touchdowns.

Emmett Johnson rushed 14 times for 140 yards, an effort that included a 47-yard touchdown run. Three running backs had runs of more than 15 yards. The defense didn’t give up a point and surrendered just one third down.

Even the special teams were dominant. It was hard to find anything to complain about, and here are five things we learned from the Huskers’ 68-0 win.

Dylan Raiola is spinning as good ever

If you aren’t excited by the play of Dylan Raiola, you must be watching something different. Through two games, he’s got six touchdown passes, is completing 78 percent of his passes, averaging 303 passing yards per game, and has only come close to one interception.

Raiola is moving better in the pocket. He ran twice for 13 yards against Akron. He also bought time, like on the crazy touchdown pass in the corner to Dane Key. The rocket shot in stride to Quinn Clark, which turned into a 37-yard touchdown, was a thing of beauty.

It’s only two games, but Raiola has looked like an All-Big Ten quarterback so far.

The offense is explosive

Explosive was the buzzword surrounding this offense during the offseason. It was the same this past week as Dana Holgorsen, the OC, lamented the lack of explosive plays against Cincinnati.

The Huskers had eight different players notch at least one play of 20 yards or more on Saturday night. 10 different players had at least one player who gained 15 yards.

Emmett Johnson set the tone with the 47-yard touchdown, and it never stopped. Even TJ Lateef threw for 127 yards and a touchdown in limited action. He looked legit by the way, and this offense looked like one that should be able to hang 30 points on every team left on the schedule.

Gunnar Gottula is the left tackle

I’m fine with rotating guys in, but Gunnar Gottula has won the job. Matt Rhule said he would be the left tackle Saturday night. Well, he should be the left tackle moving forward.

If Elijah Pritchett gets his head on straight, he could still contribute this season. Yet, Gottula was moving people. He executed two perfect blocks on that touchdown run by Johnson.

He might not be perfect in pass protection. Nebraska football knows exactly what it’s getting in Gottula, and it feels like he locked down the job for good last night.

John Butler is legit

Any concerns about John Butler as the defensive coordinator should be gone. In three games calling the defense for Nebraska, the Blackshirts have allowed 10.6 points per game.

It’s only been three games, but Nebraska hasn’t allowed a team to score 20 points under Butler. The pass defense was incredible, too. Ben Finley is an experienced quarterback, but he averaged just 2.5 yards per pass attempt.

The run defense still allowed both Arkon backs to get more than five yards per carry. Yet, the Zips were 1-of-14 on third down. Nebraska had two sacks, a safety, and a turnover.

As good as the offense was, the defense deserves just as much credit.

Special teams are a well-oiled machine

Whatever Nebraska is paying Mike Ekeler to be the special teams coach is worth every penny. The special teams were solid in Week 1. Against Akron, they were as impactful as they could be without scoring a touchdown.

Riley Van Poppel blocked a field goal. Nebraska had 92 punt return yards, which was more than they had all last season. There was a solid kickoff return, and of course, the coverage was top-notch.

The Huskers haven’t missed a field goal or PAT. There hasn’t been a bad snap. Special teams are working like a well-oiled machine, which is as bold as any takeaway after two weeks.

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