There’s nothing quite like watching a Nebraska football game, especially when you finally get to do it with your brother after nearly two years. Even though we haven’t been apart, life has been hectic, and we just hadn’t found the time to sit down together for a game until the Huskers took on Northern Iowa on September 14, 2024. And what a game it was!
Nebraska’s 35-3 victory over UNI was the kind of performance Husker fans dream of. The defense was absolutely dominant, holding UNI to just 301 total yards and keeping them out of the end zone. The Huskers haven’t let a team score more than 24 points in 10 straight games, something we haven’t seen since the Bo Pelini era in 2009. I couldn’t help but marvel at the Blackshirts’ resurgence under Coach Matt Rhule. This season alone, Nebraska’s defense has allowed just 20 points over the first three games, the best start since 2005.
On the offensive side, freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola continues to prove why he’s the future of this program. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, setting a career-best in yards while tying his career high in touchdowns. This marked the third straight game Raiola completed over 70% of his passes, something no Husker quarterback has done since 1980. As Husker fans, we know the quarterback position has had its ups and downs in recent years, but Raiola looks like the real deal.
My brother and I were particularly excited to see the connection between Raiola and freshman receiver Carter Nelson, who scored his first career touchdown on a 24-yard pass during the game’s opening drive. It’s not often you see two freshmen linking up like that, and it reminded us of other great Husker duos from the past. Meanwhile, sophomore receiver Jaylen Lloyd came through with a 59-yard reception that set up another touchdown, continuing his trend of big plays—five of his eight career receptions have been for at least 36 yards.
Sitting there with him, we couldn’t help but reflect on the Huskers’ 3-0 start—the first time since 2016 that Nebraska has finished non-conference play undefeated. The team’s improvement is clear, and the win over UNI marked the third straight game that Nebraska won by at least 18 points, something that hasn’t happened since 2014.
By the end of the night, it wasn’t just about the win or the stats (though those were fun to talk about). It was about sharing the experience with my brother, finally having the chance to yell at the TV together and bask in a dominant Nebraska performance. Here’s hoping the Huskers keep rolling—and that we don’t wait another two years to catch a game together.