3 takeaways from Nebraska’s blowout win over Akron

That’s what Nebraska football is supposed to look like, especially against a team like Akron.

We might not have learned much long-term about this program on Saturday night, but it was another reminder that this team is ready to take the next step.

Maybe they already have.

There were signs abound at Lincoln Memorial Stadium. Dylan Raiola was nearly flawless, completing 24 of 31 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns. He never really came close to an interception, and that touchdown pass to Dane Key in the corner of the end zone was a thing of beauty.

Five stars will five-star after all.

Emmett Johnson might not have been a five-star recruit. He was a three-star actually. Sort of an afterthought, but not anymore, not after another 100-yard game and a 47-yard touchdown run that set the tone.

Whether it was the shutout win, the special teams effort, Dylan Raiola, or the killer instinct, this was a fun victory. Enjoy it, Nebraska football fans, and here are three takeaways.

Dylan Raiola is on another level

It was Akron, yet Raiola was still special. Fans are praising the TD pass to Key for good reason. But the touchdown pass to Clark, a 37-yard strike, was just as important. Raiola hit the redshirt freshman in stride. The rest was history.

That’s the difference an elite quarterback can make, and through two games, it’s hard to see how Raiola could be better. The sophomore quarterback has completed 78.1 percent of his passes for 607 yards (303.5 per game) and six touchdowns. Raiola has zero interceptions.

If there were still questions about him taking a leap in year two, there aren’t anymore.

Feeling better about the RB room

The offensive line was great. However, it was great to see some of the other backs get involved. Emmett Johnson seems poised for 1,000 yards rushing. Maybe even 1,200.

Still, Nebraska needed some others to emerge. Nelson only carried the ball five times for 11 yards, but added three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. Ives ripped off a 28-yard run to score. The two backs touched the ball nine times for 45 yards as running backs, in addition to four passes for 59 yards.

That’s 13 times total for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Not a bad night for the backup running backs.

Defense, special teams stepped up, too

The offense will get most of the credit for this game. Nebraska’s defense deserves its due, though. Akron was held to 176 total yards. The Zips didn’t have a pass play longer than 19 yards. Akron rushed for 113 yards. That’s still an area Nebraska could improve, but the Huskers allowed just 2.5 yards per pass attempt to Akron.

Nebraska allowed one third-down conversion (1-of-14), and it wasn’t until late in the game. The Blackshirts forced a turnover, had two sacks, and flew around.

The Huskers even blocked a field goal and had more punt return yards than they had all last season. Regardless of the opponent, that’s impressive.

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