Gut Reactions to Nebraska football’s nail-biting win over Cincinnati

Nebraska football fans might have to check their pulses after the last two minutes, but the Huskers survived for a 20-17 win in the season opener over Cincinnati on Thursday night.

Dylan Raiola threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t have any interceptions. Emmett Johnson rushed for over 100 yards (135 total yards). The Huskers didn’t have any turnovers but took the ball away twice, once in the first half, and again on the final drive.

Brendan Sorsby and the Bearcats were driving for a tying field-goal attempt after a second-half rally. Yet, the QB went for the end zone. Malcolm Hartzog made the interception. The senior called game and here are the gut reactions for a nail-biting win for Nebraska football over Cincinnati.

Gut reactions

• Vincent Shavers is a playmaker.
• Andrew Marshall showed why Nebraska brought him in.
• The run defense is a major issue. The pass rush is, too.
• Running QBs kill Nebraska. Still.
• Nyziah Hunter is exactly the kind of receiver this team needed.
• Elijah Pritchett didn’t help himself with the false start at the one.
• Emmett Johnson freaking balled out. What a warrior.
• Dylan Raiola was noticeably better with his legs. He was clutch on third down, too.
• Nebraska missed a chance to put the game away in the third quarter and it cost them.
• Kyle Cunanan locked down the kicking job moving forward.
• Pass coverage was excellent.
• Matt Rhule was right to go for it on both fourth downs.
• John Butler will do just fine as DC.
• Dana Holgorsen wasn’t lying about running the damn ball.
• Nebraska football learned how to win close games.
• Malcolm Hartzog saved the day.
• GO BIG RED!

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