Gut reactions: Nebraska football is nearly perfect in Akron win

Nebraska football wasn’t perfect Saturday night against Akron. But the Cornhuskers were pretty damn close.

Outside of some red-zone struggles, the Huskers did exactly what every Nebraska football fan wanted to see against Akron. They dominated. From the opening kickoff, and never let up.

The Zips weren’t more competitive after some reserves entered the game for Nebraska. The Huskers just kept on scoring on their way to a 68-0 win.

It was a lot of fun — also very impressive (Nebraska had 724 yards of total offense).

Emmett Johnson carried the ball 14 times for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns. He added a third touchdown on a reception and finished with two for seven yards.

The offensive line was incredible, but so was the junior running back. Kwinten Ives and Mekhi Nelson also had explosive plays in some extended action. They both found the end zone, too. Four receivers caught passes of 20 yards or longer from Dylan Raiola, who was 24 of 31 for 364 yards and four touchdowns.

The defense wasn’t perfect, but it flew around and pitched a shutout. Kade Pietrzak and Rex Guthrie looked like they should play more. Up front, Nebraska was getting penetration, even if Ben Finley made himself hard to sack.

When Raiola left the game, Nebraska had rolled up more than 550 yards of total offense (in the third quarter). Even the special teams made some impact plays.

It was just Akron, but you can’t play much better against a team like Akron than Nebraska football did on Saturday night. Here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions from Nebraska football win over Akron

• It was Akron, but that was the best Dylan Raiola has ever looked.
• This is the offense we imagined in the offseason.
• Emmett Johnson might lead the Big Ten in rushing.
• This offensive line can run block.
• Gunnar Gottula has earned the left tackle job. He was flat moving dudes.
• That won’t be the last touchdown reception by Quinn Clark.
• This receiver room is maybe the best Nebraska has ever had.
• Kade Pietrzak is a DUDE!
• I’d like to see more Rex Guthrie.
• JT Lateef can start for this program. He looks legit.
• Nebraska fans should feel much better about the RB room.
• This was another positive step.
• Nebraska needs to prove it against Michigan. But this team is good.
• How good is to be determined.
• GO BIG RED!

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